Liverpool’s heartbreaking 3-1 Uefa Champions League Final loss to Real Madrid in Kiev was the end of the season for club football, but the World Cup excitement dulled the disappointment. Now all the clubs have returned and as they do, favourites are predicted for the new Premier League champions. Many, for the first time and with real faith and expectation, say it will be Liverpool FC.
They last won the league in 1990 and since then have been triumphant in many cups and competitions, but not their own English league, finishing as high as 2nd on various occasions and most recently in 2013/2014, but failing to top that.
Now, with a bolstered squad, they mean business. Jurgën Klopp has an immense record and now, heading into his 3rd full season, he has put Liverpool back into the Uefa Champions League at the first time of asking and has kept them there, taking them as far as the aforementioned final last season. Before that, he led the Reds, in his first (half) season to the Uefa Europa League final and then to the Carabao Cup final, but all to no avail. He is yet to win silverware at the club, but the optimistic and enthusiastic atmosphere has returned to Liverpool, and his first club interview’s statement of “We must change from doubters to believes, now” rings ever true. The fans, the players and quite frankly the world love Klopp for his touchline antiques and his energetic style of management, and he has gotten the team behind him, only now to add even more quality to it.
Liverpool’s talisman Mohammed Salah, who was the PFA and Premier League player of the year as well as Liverpool’s player of the year and the Premier League golden boot winner, will look to continue to shine this season. He is upfront with Sadio Màne and Roberto Firmino to form one of Europe’s most notorious front three, of which challenged Barcelona’s and Madrid’s attacking three last season well. Now, to add to the extraordinary work of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Geroginio Wijnaldum in the middle, Fabinho and Naby Keita have been added to the squad.
Fabinho in number three, with his height and defensive play as well as his Monaco success in his gameplay, will see him protect the defense and set up the midfield well to attack. Virgil Van Dijk has said he eyes success, and standing tall at the back, he will look to get along well with shining youngsters like Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, as well as with new teammate and world record signing, Alisson Becker. The Brazilian completed his World Cup with Brazil before being brought to Anfield after much speculation and he has been a big factor for the new found optimism. Xherdan Shaqiri is the epitome of how Klopp has deepened the squad quality as he brought in the Swiss International, who scored a fantastic goal against Manchester United in their preseason 4-1 victory.
Taking on four different competitions this season will be no easy task, but Liverpool are more than capable and equipped to challenge for the title with last season’s momentum and hope as well as with an extremely strong squad going into the season.
Liverpool have never had a problem with overcoming big name teams like the big six in the League, overcoming an unbeaten Manchester City side at Anfield this last January. Liverpool will need consistency, and even if not big wins, they need wins and points need to be added constantly in order to mount pressure on current holders City as well as the other big teams, especially those who haven’t done much transfer activity…
It seems now is finally Liverpool’s true time and its been a long time coming, but the past seasons under Klopp have just gotten better and better.