Following Liverpool’s Champions League campaign last year, the reds have become the expert’s opinion to be closest to Manchester City in the upcoming Premier League season, but can they win it?
The bookmakers have made Liverpool second-favourites for the league title itself and that would be in no small part down to their summer activity. The signings of Alisson from Roma, Fabinho from Monaco and Xheridan Shaqiri along with the arrival of Naby Keita has seen Jurgen Klopp spend nearly £190 million in the hope of bring that long-awaited title to Anfield.
With the signings, it has seen Liverpool strengthen in all areas which they looked vulnerable in last season- especially the goalkeeping position. The position of Loris Karius became unattainable following his performance in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. His first mistake for Karim Benzema to give Madrid the lead and then the mistake that ultimately gifted Gareth Bale the deciding goal.
Alisson was in fine form for Roma all season whether in Serie A or the Champions League, this ultimately resulted in him cementing his position as Brazil’s number one above Manchester City’s Ederson. His World Cup performances, combined with his consistent performances domestically ensured that the fee that Roma would receive would be astronomical. The end fee was suggested as £63 million, a fee that should Liverpool go on to win the title would seem extremely low.
It’s no secret that the key to any hopeful champion needs to have a high standard goalkeeper so this was a transfer that the reds had to make. The defensive stability that will come with a solid number one will be there for all to see. Just look at how the defensive was tightened up as soon as Virgil Van Dijk arrived from Southampton in January.
Salah, Firmino and Mane will get all the plaudits for navigating Liverpool’s route to the final, but the key was the addition of the Dutchman. This combined with the emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and the coming of age of Andy Robertson ensured that the goals that the reds were conceding earlier in the season were not happening anymore.
To challenge for the title the spine of the team has to be strong and unbreakable, the signings of Fabinho and Keita will do just that. The two bundles of energy will ensure that the ball retention is good and with Keita, they have someone who fits the type of player that will thrive under Klopp and Liverpool’s style of play.
The high pressing game worked wonders throughout the season for City and in the Champions League for the reds, but it will be interesting to see if the reds could keep up that standard of performance throughout the season.
Salah is another key, should he replicate the form and goals from last season, it would make for a near irresistible force. However, it seems unlikely that he could once again replicate or better his best-ever goal scoring season. Additional pressure could be on Firmino and the returning Daniel Sturridge who has been on fire throughout pre-season. Danny Ings and Divock Origi already look like they are on their way out so there will be additional chances for Dominic Solanke who undoubtedly has the potential and tools to succeed at a massive club.
Another aspect that will be interesting to see how Klopp works it would be how will club captain Jordan Henderson into the team. As the captain, you would think he would be a regular starter but with the arrivals of the two new central midfielders and a successful pre-season for Georginio Wijnaldum it would be hard to imagine Henderson walking straight back into the starting line-up. There will be ever tougher competition with Adam Lallana back fit and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain due back before the end of the season. Although, competition for places has never been a bad thing.
It will make for a great season and whatever happens, it will be a joy to watch the reds again throughout the season.