Liverpool’s Chances For The Upcoming 2021/22 Premier League Season.
Liverpool were very inconsistent last season, but were able to secure Champions League qualification. The injury to their talisman, Virgil Van Dijk heavily affected Liverpool as they struggled to keep clean sheets amd ultimately dropped points.
After their impressive 19/20 campaign, last season was very disappointing for Liverpool, however they have a lot to be optimistic about for the upcoming season.
Under Klopp, Liverpool cannot be written off. Their “blitzkrieg” style of play finishing off opponents in the first half, is something special and they still have all the same stars that won them the Premier League title a couple of seasons ago.
Compared to the other English Champions League clubs this year (Man City, Man United and Chelsea), they have not spent big bucks. Furthermore, it does not look as if Liverpool will be investing heavily in their squad this season.
This is a hallmark of Klopp, preferring to develop players to be world class rather than just buy players who are already proven.
They have lost an important player in Gini Wijnaldum, and are not currently linked with anyone as his replacement. Instead, concentrating on the youth, is Klopps policy so we should see players such as Harvey Eliott and Curtis Jones feature for Liverpool this season.
This will be a breakthrough season for Eliott after being out on loan at Blackburn last year; and at only 17 years old, Eliott managed to get 7 goals and 11 assists. Which is very impressive.
Eliott has performed imperiously in pre season and will be fancying his chances of starting the first game against Norwich at Anfield on Saturday August 14. He is a very technical player with a terrific first touch, great vision and an eye for goal.
Some players are still settling in at Liverpool and we should be expecting great seasons from them. Thiago Alcantara for example, had an OK first year but will want to press on and want to show his quality this season.
Thiago has a huge amount of talent; his touch, vision and passing abilities are nothing short of world class and he will looking to score goals and assist his team mates this season in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Liverpool have a lot to prove to the doubters, but with Klopp at the helm, only a fool would write him and Liverpool off.
Many have forgotten some of Liverpool’s magical performances in the season that they won the league. Having the league wrapped up by February, it was one of the most dominant Premier League seasons ever.
If they can get back to this level, we could see a two or a three horse race with City and Chelsea respectively.
The quality on show for this seasons Premier League is most probably the highest it has ever been, so it looks as if we are in for a treat.
Transfers In
Ibrahima Konaté
Liverpool have strengthened their defence with the signing of Konate for around £40M. A strong, combative CB, he will bring quality and strength in depth to Liverpool in the defensive department.
Last season, keeping clean sheets were an issue and with the addition of Konate and a fit Virgil Van Dijk, as well as Joe Gomez, they are looking very strong.
After an impressive spell at RB Leipzig, where he made 95 appearances and scored 4 goals, Konate will bring his Champions League experience and athleticism to the Liverpool side.
Key Players
Virgil Van Dijk
Regarded as the best CB in the world by many, Liverpool sorely missed Van Dijk last season and he will be hoping to get back to his best after his long term injury.
With his superb leadership qualities, an incredible skill of reading the game and his athleticism, it is very rare to see attacking players get the better of Virgil.
He will play a key role in Liverpool’s title challenge, and will also chip in with important goals from time to time.
Mo Salah
Salah is a word class player and a clinical finisher; he has consistently got 20+ goals a season for the past few years.
Lightening fast with a tremendous eye for goal, Salah is a danger to every opponent and Liverpool will be hoping he will be firing on all cylinders this season working well with Mane and Firmino.
A big game player, who very often makes the difference, Salah will be hoping to be competing for both the Premier League and Champions League this season.
An exceptional dribbler and a player that always seems to be in the right place at the right time, Salah will have another impressive season.
Sadio Mane
Mane forms an incredible trio with Firmino and Salah and will want to push on this season after a sub par performance last season.
Mane brings his electrifying pace as well as terrific movement and clinical finishing to the Liverpool team.
A key player for Klopp, Mane now has competition for his place with Jota, which should hopefully get the best out of Mane, as in football, competition for places is vital to keep a hungry and successful team.
Mane will have a great season, he is definitely one of the best LW in the world. Furthermore, he is a game-changer — a player that can change the game through his own effort like when Liverpool battered Bayern Munich in the last 16 in their Champions League winning season.
Mane has a point to prove this season and will be raring to go; he will be starting against Norwich in the first game, and has looked very sharp in pre season.
Chances For The Upcoming Season
Liverpool are under the radar before the start of the season. Perhaps because of the lack of transfer activity; Liverpool are in an unknown to most, expected to get Champions League football and maybe mount a title challenge.
Here on the James Rich Show, I give my honest opinions and I am exceptionally optimistic on Liverpool as they have a point to prove this season after their underwhelming performance last season.
Write off Klopp at your own peril, the man is a proven winner and gets the best out of the Liverpool players, I believe he has a few tricks up his sleeve this season, and we will see some breakout seasons by some of their younger players.
Lets take a look at their strongest 11, in my opinion of course:
This team has all the attributes needed to press on and win the league. Furthermore, they have a very special manager that gets the best out of his players and focuses on the team rather than individuals.
Liverpool develop players, nobody can disagree that they have the best full backs in the league from both an attacking and defensive perspective.
I have not mentioned yet the quality of Alexander Arnold who I believe is the best RB in the world, his energy, crossing and set pieces are a major asset to Liverpool.
The strength in depth is also impressive and I expect Liverpool to be competing for both the Champions League and Premier League.
They have a very unique, high press, high energy style of play that opponents cannot deal with, I believe this is Liverpool's year after last seasons “gap year”.
Liverpool have everything they need to win the league, an excellent front line that will score plenty of goals, a combative and at the same time a technical midfield, and finally a defence — with Van Dijk back; organised and efficient at reading danger and keeping their opponents at bay.
Liverpool will win the league this season if they can keep their team spirit and play high press, high energy football. The team that won the league is not given enough credit it deserves — perhaps because of COVID.
We will see some gems come through Liverpool this season such as Curtis Jones and Harvey Eliott, that had they been signed would create a massive buzz at the club.
Overall, Liverpool will be hungry to succeed and with the genius Klopp at the helm, they will win the league this season.
Prediction: 1st
Top Scorer: Salah
Tune into the James Rich Show every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 20:00 BST on Twitch.tv/jamesrichshow
