For the first time since the 2015/16 campaign, Liverpool will start a season without Jürgen Klopp in the dugout.
By Sam McGuire
It could turn out to be a transitional campaign for the Reds but with a bit of luck, there’s every chance they’re challenging for the title.
What happened last season?
Few tipped the Reds for a title charge last season but for the majority of the campaign, they were in a three-way battle with Manchester City and Arsenal. Eventually, Klopp’s side ran out of steam having had to deal with injuries to key players.
Liverpool went from challenging for the quadruple to having to settle for a third-place finish, nine points off of champions Manchester City, and a Carabao Cup.
A humbling loss at the hands of eventual winners Atalanta ended their Europa League hopes while Manchester United knocked the Reds out of the FA Cup.
What really hurt Liverpool last season were the many, many draws. Klopp and his team lost just four times in the Premier League. For context, Arsenal lost on five occasions. However, the Gunners drew just five times, half as many as the Reds. In fact, only Brighton (12) drew more games than the 2019/20 Premier League champions.
Mohamed Salah, despite missing two months of football, finished as the club’s top scorer. He found the back of the net on 18 occasions and chipped in with 10 assists. He was the only Liverpool player to claim 20 or more goal involvements. It was no surprise to see him finish as the highest rated player for the Reds on FotMob with 7.64.
Goals weren’t a problem for the Reds last term. They averaged 2.3 goals per 90, a figure only Man City and Arsenal could better but they did struggle defensively, keeping eight fewer clean sheets than the Gunners.
If new manager Arne Slot can improve Liverpool in the defensive third, he possesses the squad to challenge for the title, it is as simple as that.
What has happened during the summer?
Not much if we’re being honest.
Slot was brought in to replace Klopp having impressed with Feyenoord. The Dutch tactician guided them to a second place finish last season having claimed the title during the 2022/23 campaign.
At the time of writing this, Liverpool are yet to delve into the transfer market and they have rejected bids for Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho. The club are still yet to convince Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah or Virgil van Dijk to sign new deals at Anfield, which is no doubt a huge concern.
New sporting director Richard Hughes did say August could be a busy month for the Reds though, so lets see what happens over the next couple of weeks.
What they should be aiming for next season?
This likely depends on what happens during the remainder of the transfer window. If the Reds keep hold of those into the final 12 months of their contracts and are able to add another No. 6 to their ranks, there’s no reason a title challenge can’t be on the cards this season despite their playing style being tweaked by Slot. The bare minimum has to be a top-four finish though, regardless of what business they might do in the transfer window.
Prediction: 3rd
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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