The Premier League is just around the corner, and long have the days been of Liverpool fans proclaiming that this year is "their year" when it comes to winning the league. But now, in Jurgen Klopp's third full year at the helm, this might be the squad to do it. Certainly the most talented squad of Klopp's reign, there is a reason Liverpool fans and pundits alike are keeping their eyes on this Liverpool side.
THE TEAM
Attackers:
Everyone knows Liverpool's devastating front three of Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah, and Sadio Mane already, they need no introduction. Combining for 91 goals last season, the three men up top are vital to this Liverpool side and how they are to play under Klopp. Firmino leads the high press better than any other man perhaps in world football and makes this side tick. If there were a heart of the team, Firmino surely is that organ. Meanwhile, Salah has become an international superstar as he won the Premier League's Golden Boot and Player of the Year Awards while playing himself into a discussion of top three footballers in the world. Sadio Mane was a bit of an afterthought this season, but his form, especially at the close of the season, was crucial for Liverpool in continuing their runs through the Champions League and in closing out the league season strong. All three men played in the World Cup this summer, but all three have been strong in the preseason. Expect them to come out firing right from the get-go this season.
The hallmark of a strong side is depth, and Liverpool have it this season. The signing of Xherdan Shaqiri strengthens the wings which were in desperate need of an additional man that could play that role. When Salah went down in the Champions League final, his replacement was Adam Lallana. Capable, but not ideal to put on the wing. The addition of Shaqiri provides a genuine super-sub sort of player when needed that can impact the game and does not sacrifice much out of the side and keeps the aspect of pace and strength on the pitch if Salah (whose strength on the ball is vastly underrated) or Mane is taken off. Shaqiri has proven he can make an impact in the preseason and looks set to be a key man in the side.
The other main man on the bench is Daniel Sturridge, whose preseason form played him into the squad after falling out of favor. Sturridge's play has rarely been in question, but rather his ability to remain on the pitch as a result of injuries. His finishing is lethal and his pace, while not elite as it once may have been, is still there. Crafty and blessed with a strong shot, the days of Liverpool needing Fabio Borini or Raheem Sterling as a makeshift striker to start in place of him are gone. But with him in the side, they are far more capable and he represents a dangerous weapon for a team to be able to play off the bench.
There are some fringe players on the brink of the squad as well for Klopp to decide upon before the international (or domestic) transfer windows close. Danny Ings is loaned out with a mandatory transfer next summer to Southampton for a fee of twenty million pounds. Divock Origi could also leave Liverpool, but his scenario is very much wait-and-see that could certainly be dealt across countries. Valencia showed interest previously, but with Michy Batshuayi signed on for a year-long loan, it seems that door has since closed as a result. Meanwhile, young players Dominic Solanke and Rhian Brewster look set to play third and fourth choice as they will feature in the first team set-up. On the wing, there is Sheyi Ojo, who could see his future for a year at Middlesbrough, because the loan window for lower-division clubs remains open the rest of the month. Liverpool are in for a busy remainder of the month as the domestic window may have closed, but the international window remains open.
Midfielders:
Once a period of little depth, and even with the loss of Emre Can to Juventus, the additions of Naby Keita and Fabinho have made it a strength for the Reds. Keita, after a year of knowing he would be in Liverpool soon but remaining in Leipzig, is finally a player for Klopp to utilize to his many considerable strengths. He will play a box-to-box role to perfection with this Liverpool side and it, for good reason, will have fans rather excited. Fabinho, meanwhile, was a swoop out of seemingly nowhere leaving the fans shell-shocked. He will occupy a holding-mid role and challenge Jordan Henderson for playing time (once he properly returns to the side). The added midfielders provide different dimensions to this Liverpool side that have spots for them to play in still as well.
But what of those midfielders that were already in red? All of them are set to be utilized, with the unfortunate exception of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The immediate fan-favorite is set to miss all of, or at the very least the vast majority of, the competitive 2018-19 season for Liverpool, leaving a hole for the Reds. That spot could be filled by Gini Wijnaldum. The Dutch utility knife for Klopp, Wijnaldum has featured primarily in a deeper role, but has the ability going forward and showcased that with a goal in the final preseason game against Torino in the campaign's final preseason match.
Also holdovers from last season's run are, of course, captain Jordan Henderson, vice captain James Milner, and the back-to-fit Adam Lallana. All three Englishmen are veterans in the side having been with the team for the entirety of Klopp's time with Liverpool. Henderson was England's key holding-mid at the World Cup and did an exceptional job in the position as he silenced some critics of his play style. His positional battle with Fabinho will be the most interesting of the season as I would expect just one of them to start any given day. James Milner was the assist king of the Champions League and occupies that more box-to-box role while Adam Lallana has done the job previously of leading the high press and is a likely candidate to play in the more advanced midfield role.
The point of having six fit midfielders, not including Marko Grujic, who certainly could see game time, is that it allows Liverpool to have at least one option at each sort of midfield spot in the starting eleven. Injuries ravaged the squad by the end of the season Liverpool were, in essence, down to two fully-fit center-midfielders on the final match day. Now, the hope is that the Reds can first and foremost avoid injury to any player. However, if a situation is to arise, they will now be able to have ample depth to avoid any sort of disaster.
Defenders:
The goalkeeper position has been seemingly solved for Liverpool as Alisson was purchased for a world-record fee (that has since been broken by Chelsea) from Roma. Loris Karius received a warm Anfield welcome and everyone will be rooting for him, but Alisson is too expensive, and in all likelihood, too good, to leave out of the side. With shot-stopping and distributive abilities that rival some of the finest keepers in the world Liverpool paid for world-class talent, and that's what they will hope to get. Also in terms of keepers, eyes will be on Kamil Grabara and Caoimhin Kelleher as the 19-year-old youth products will battle for the third-choice keeper's job, with Grabara likely the front-runner.
Liverpool has two exceptional center-backs now in Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren. After a lengthy saga, van Dijk was purchased in January and became an instant sensation in the starting eleven for Liverpool. Scoring a derby-winning goal in his debut against Everton in the FA Cup, van Dijk is immense in the air and the ultimate reliable force in defense. Alongside him, Lovren blossomed and developed his skills into an exceptional center-back, helping lead Croatia this summer to a World Cup final this summer. The two make an excellent pair and Klopp's coaching ability and ability to pick out specific players that he wants has made this a center-back pairing that some fans, including myself, would argue is the best in the entire Premier League.
Full-back was also a position that last season became a breakout spot in the side as Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold went from benched left-back and part-time starter to winning their jobs outright. Robertson endears himself to the Anfield faithful with his heart, ability to get forward and whip in spectacular crosses, and, of course, his 70-yard run against Manchester City. Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, does much of what Robertson does well (getting forward and tracking back) but has done so as a 19-year-old and is a hometown hero. He has a bright future in a Liverpool kit, but the immediate futures of both men look bright as well.
Again, here too in defense is there the depth necessary for a good side to become great. At right-back, with Nathaniel Clyne now back from injury that prevented him from playing in the vast majority of last season, there are really two first-choice players. On the left is Alberto Moreno, who is just too inconsistent to really place a hold on the position, but remains an option. Finally, at center-back, Joe Gomez, who played much of last season on the right, now will get the opportunity to play his favored position of center-back. Ragnar Klavan also offers a veteran in defense with a good deal of experience now with Liverpool. There are plenty of players Klopp can turn too in every area of his Liverpool side.
THE TACTICS
Formation:
After the successes of last season, surely Jurgen Klopp will not switch anything up too severely this season. The 4-3-3 was the staple of the Liverpool side last season and I expect nothing to change. Even without Phil Coutinho or Nabil Fekir or with Oxlade-Chamberlain, the ability Klopp has to mold players into the line-up in the positions he wants them to feature in is incredible. Gini Wijnaldum went from an attacking-mid at Newcastle, to a more box-to-box threat at Liverpool, to a defensive-mid that played center-back once in a back-three, and now seems to be a likely candidate to fill in at the attacking-midfield position. And that's not even the highest profile case of this (see: James Milner).
The 4-3-3 comprises of two center-backs and two full-backs in defense. Both full-backs will get up-and-down the pitch at will on the left and right while the two defenders have freedom to get forward, provided at least one stays home. The three midfielders includes a holding-mid who will drop in-between the two center-backs at times in possession in order to maintain additional control of the match. The other two midfielders are a more attacking-minded midfielder along with one more man in the middle generally spanning box-to-box. Finally, the three attackers serve different but similar purposes. The striker is in charge of leading the press (and that's why Firmino is so important to this side) while the two wingers, especially when they are Mane and Salah, also push forward and can sort of serve as additional strikers, something especially dangerous with Salah and Mane's abilities to cut inside.
Personnel:
Predicting a main starting eleven figures to be a bit difficult given the amount of fixtures Liverpool will have between the league, two domestic cups, and the Champions League. Still, it seems clear that there are multiple players who will be nailed on when available. Alisson certainly will be the first-choice keeper and given as many opportunities as need be to keep himself in net. In defense, Robertson, van Dijk, and Lovren are all first-choice, as will Keita be (presumably) in midfield. All three attackers will be as well with Shaqiri giving Mane and Salah rest when need be.
Still, there are tons of spots open. As previously mentioned, Fabinho and Henderson will likely go back-and-forth in terms of a starter all throughout the season. I would also predict the same to happen at right-back with Alexander-Arnold and Clyne. The final spot would also have to be the third midfield spot with Milner, Lallana, and Wijnaldum all hoping to see time at that position. These competitions and those who start off the season on the bench do not mean the starter is far superior to the man who cannot claim the spot, but rather they will likely fit in with the side better at the moment. My prediction is below, but this will definitely see plenty of rotation and is not an absolute.
Predicted Most-Common Starting Eleven: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Henderson, Keita, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane
THE PREDICTION
Season Outlook:
Liverpool are desperate for a title. The fans are. The manager is. The players are. Surely everyone in the organization understands that the pressure is on for the Reds and that some silverware really needs to come back to Anfield.
I personally believe that Liverpool have a two-year window of great opportunity to win the league. This club's success is built to last. There's no question that in the years to come there will be plenty of chances for Liverpool to snag glory in the league. But the time for waiting has to come to an end soon. Liverpool have spent the money they need to, brought in the players and manager that are necessary, and have the owners who are willing to make this all happen, regardless of criticism of them.
Liverpool teams of yesteryear that bought players for potential and hoped for some to work out at the club (Coutinho) while others didn't (Suso) are gone. Holding onto Firmino, Salah, working on an extension with money, shelling out money for players in their primes, these are all things that Liverpool needed to do in order to make that extra jump to ensure that Liverpool is no longer a feeder club, but a destination for the sport's top stars.
The time for excuses is over. I well and truly believe that this is the sort of team that wins titles. If they can overcome Manchester City in the table and Manchester United in the matches is yet to be seen. Ditto for the problems they run into with lower-table sides and too many draws. This is a side that can do a bit of everything and has players that do things better than a vast majority of players in the country, and even continent. The wait has been long enough. Fans are putting their trust in Jurgen Klopp and his side. It's time to deliver the goods.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
THE TEAM
Attackers:
Everyone knows Liverpool's devastating front three of Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah, and Sadio Mane already, they need no introduction. Combining for 91 goals last season, the three men up top are vital to this Liverpool side and how they are to play under Klopp. Firmino leads the high press better than any other man perhaps in world football and makes this side tick. If there were a heart of the team, Firmino surely is that organ. Meanwhile, Salah has become an international superstar as he won the Premier League's Golden Boot and Player of the Year Awards while playing himself into a discussion of top three footballers in the world. Sadio Mane was a bit of an afterthought this season, but his form, especially at the close of the season, was crucial for Liverpool in continuing their runs through the Champions League and in closing out the league season strong. All three men played in the World Cup this summer, but all three have been strong in the preseason. Expect them to come out firing right from the get-go this season.
The hallmark of a strong side is depth, and Liverpool have it this season. The signing of Xherdan Shaqiri strengthens the wings which were in desperate need of an additional man that could play that role. When Salah went down in the Champions League final, his replacement was Adam Lallana. Capable, but not ideal to put on the wing. The addition of Shaqiri provides a genuine super-sub sort of player when needed that can impact the game and does not sacrifice much out of the side and keeps the aspect of pace and strength on the pitch if Salah (whose strength on the ball is vastly underrated) or Mane is taken off. Shaqiri has proven he can make an impact in the preseason and looks set to be a key man in the side.
The other main man on the bench is Daniel Sturridge, whose preseason form played him into the squad after falling out of favor. Sturridge's play has rarely been in question, but rather his ability to remain on the pitch as a result of injuries. His finishing is lethal and his pace, while not elite as it once may have been, is still there. Crafty and blessed with a strong shot, the days of Liverpool needing Fabio Borini or Raheem Sterling as a makeshift striker to start in place of him are gone. But with him in the side, they are far more capable and he represents a dangerous weapon for a team to be able to play off the bench.
There are some fringe players on the brink of the squad as well for Klopp to decide upon before the international (or domestic) transfer windows close. Danny Ings is loaned out with a mandatory transfer next summer to Southampton for a fee of twenty million pounds. Divock Origi could also leave Liverpool, but his scenario is very much wait-and-see that could certainly be dealt across countries. Valencia showed interest previously, but with Michy Batshuayi signed on for a year-long loan, it seems that door has since closed as a result. Meanwhile, young players Dominic Solanke and Rhian Brewster look set to play third and fourth choice as they will feature in the first team set-up. On the wing, there is Sheyi Ojo, who could see his future for a year at Middlesbrough, because the loan window for lower-division clubs remains open the rest of the month. Liverpool are in for a busy remainder of the month as the domestic window may have closed, but the international window remains open.
Midfielders:
Once a period of little depth, and even with the loss of Emre Can to Juventus, the additions of Naby Keita and Fabinho have made it a strength for the Reds. Keita, after a year of knowing he would be in Liverpool soon but remaining in Leipzig, is finally a player for Klopp to utilize to his many considerable strengths. He will play a box-to-box role to perfection with this Liverpool side and it, for good reason, will have fans rather excited. Fabinho, meanwhile, was a swoop out of seemingly nowhere leaving the fans shell-shocked. He will occupy a holding-mid role and challenge Jordan Henderson for playing time (once he properly returns to the side). The added midfielders provide different dimensions to this Liverpool side that have spots for them to play in still as well.
But what of those midfielders that were already in red? All of them are set to be utilized, with the unfortunate exception of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The immediate fan-favorite is set to miss all of, or at the very least the vast majority of, the competitive 2018-19 season for Liverpool, leaving a hole for the Reds. That spot could be filled by Gini Wijnaldum. The Dutch utility knife for Klopp, Wijnaldum has featured primarily in a deeper role, but has the ability going forward and showcased that with a goal in the final preseason game against Torino in the campaign's final preseason match.
Also holdovers from last season's run are, of course, captain Jordan Henderson, vice captain James Milner, and the back-to-fit Adam Lallana. All three Englishmen are veterans in the side having been with the team for the entirety of Klopp's time with Liverpool. Henderson was England's key holding-mid at the World Cup and did an exceptional job in the position as he silenced some critics of his play style. His positional battle with Fabinho will be the most interesting of the season as I would expect just one of them to start any given day. James Milner was the assist king of the Champions League and occupies that more box-to-box role while Adam Lallana has done the job previously of leading the high press and is a likely candidate to play in the more advanced midfield role.
The point of having six fit midfielders, not including Marko Grujic, who certainly could see game time, is that it allows Liverpool to have at least one option at each sort of midfield spot in the starting eleven. Injuries ravaged the squad by the end of the season Liverpool were, in essence, down to two fully-fit center-midfielders on the final match day. Now, the hope is that the Reds can first and foremost avoid injury to any player. However, if a situation is to arise, they will now be able to have ample depth to avoid any sort of disaster.
Defenders:
The goalkeeper position has been seemingly solved for Liverpool as Alisson was purchased for a world-record fee (that has since been broken by Chelsea) from Roma. Loris Karius received a warm Anfield welcome and everyone will be rooting for him, but Alisson is too expensive, and in all likelihood, too good, to leave out of the side. With shot-stopping and distributive abilities that rival some of the finest keepers in the world Liverpool paid for world-class talent, and that's what they will hope to get. Also in terms of keepers, eyes will be on Kamil Grabara and Caoimhin Kelleher as the 19-year-old youth products will battle for the third-choice keeper's job, with Grabara likely the front-runner.
Liverpool has two exceptional center-backs now in Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren. After a lengthy saga, van Dijk was purchased in January and became an instant sensation in the starting eleven for Liverpool. Scoring a derby-winning goal in his debut against Everton in the FA Cup, van Dijk is immense in the air and the ultimate reliable force in defense. Alongside him, Lovren blossomed and developed his skills into an exceptional center-back, helping lead Croatia this summer to a World Cup final this summer. The two make an excellent pair and Klopp's coaching ability and ability to pick out specific players that he wants has made this a center-back pairing that some fans, including myself, would argue is the best in the entire Premier League.
Full-back was also a position that last season became a breakout spot in the side as Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold went from benched left-back and part-time starter to winning their jobs outright. Robertson endears himself to the Anfield faithful with his heart, ability to get forward and whip in spectacular crosses, and, of course, his 70-yard run against Manchester City. Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, does much of what Robertson does well (getting forward and tracking back) but has done so as a 19-year-old and is a hometown hero. He has a bright future in a Liverpool kit, but the immediate futures of both men look bright as well.
Again, here too in defense is there the depth necessary for a good side to become great. At right-back, with Nathaniel Clyne now back from injury that prevented him from playing in the vast majority of last season, there are really two first-choice players. On the left is Alberto Moreno, who is just too inconsistent to really place a hold on the position, but remains an option. Finally, at center-back, Joe Gomez, who played much of last season on the right, now will get the opportunity to play his favored position of center-back. Ragnar Klavan also offers a veteran in defense with a good deal of experience now with Liverpool. There are plenty of players Klopp can turn too in every area of his Liverpool side.
THE TACTICS
Formation:
After the successes of last season, surely Jurgen Klopp will not switch anything up too severely this season. The 4-3-3 was the staple of the Liverpool side last season and I expect nothing to change. Even without Phil Coutinho or Nabil Fekir or with Oxlade-Chamberlain, the ability Klopp has to mold players into the line-up in the positions he wants them to feature in is incredible. Gini Wijnaldum went from an attacking-mid at Newcastle, to a more box-to-box threat at Liverpool, to a defensive-mid that played center-back once in a back-three, and now seems to be a likely candidate to fill in at the attacking-midfield position. And that's not even the highest profile case of this (see: James Milner).
The 4-3-3 comprises of two center-backs and two full-backs in defense. Both full-backs will get up-and-down the pitch at will on the left and right while the two defenders have freedom to get forward, provided at least one stays home. The three midfielders includes a holding-mid who will drop in-between the two center-backs at times in possession in order to maintain additional control of the match. The other two midfielders are a more attacking-minded midfielder along with one more man in the middle generally spanning box-to-box. Finally, the three attackers serve different but similar purposes. The striker is in charge of leading the press (and that's why Firmino is so important to this side) while the two wingers, especially when they are Mane and Salah, also push forward and can sort of serve as additional strikers, something especially dangerous with Salah and Mane's abilities to cut inside.
Personnel:
Predicting a main starting eleven figures to be a bit difficult given the amount of fixtures Liverpool will have between the league, two domestic cups, and the Champions League. Still, it seems clear that there are multiple players who will be nailed on when available. Alisson certainly will be the first-choice keeper and given as many opportunities as need be to keep himself in net. In defense, Robertson, van Dijk, and Lovren are all first-choice, as will Keita be (presumably) in midfield. All three attackers will be as well with Shaqiri giving Mane and Salah rest when need be.
Still, there are tons of spots open. As previously mentioned, Fabinho and Henderson will likely go back-and-forth in terms of a starter all throughout the season. I would also predict the same to happen at right-back with Alexander-Arnold and Clyne. The final spot would also have to be the third midfield spot with Milner, Lallana, and Wijnaldum all hoping to see time at that position. These competitions and those who start off the season on the bench do not mean the starter is far superior to the man who cannot claim the spot, but rather they will likely fit in with the side better at the moment. My prediction is below, but this will definitely see plenty of rotation and is not an absolute.
Predicted Most-Common Starting Eleven: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Henderson, Keita, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane
THE PREDICTION
Season Outlook:
Liverpool are desperate for a title. The fans are. The manager is. The players are. Surely everyone in the organization understands that the pressure is on for the Reds and that some silverware really needs to come back to Anfield.
I personally believe that Liverpool have a two-year window of great opportunity to win the league. This club's success is built to last. There's no question that in the years to come there will be plenty of chances for Liverpool to snag glory in the league. But the time for waiting has to come to an end soon. Liverpool have spent the money they need to, brought in the players and manager that are necessary, and have the owners who are willing to make this all happen, regardless of criticism of them.
Liverpool teams of yesteryear that bought players for potential and hoped for some to work out at the club (Coutinho) while others didn't (Suso) are gone. Holding onto Firmino, Salah, working on an extension with money, shelling out money for players in their primes, these are all things that Liverpool needed to do in order to make that extra jump to ensure that Liverpool is no longer a feeder club, but a destination for the sport's top stars.
The time for excuses is over. I well and truly believe that this is the sort of team that wins titles. If they can overcome Manchester City in the table and Manchester United in the matches is yet to be seen. Ditto for the problems they run into with lower-table sides and too many draws. This is a side that can do a bit of everything and has players that do things better than a vast majority of players in the country, and even continent. The wait has been long enough. Fans are putting their trust in Jurgen Klopp and his side. It's time to deliver the goods.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
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