2018/2019 EPL SEASON PREVIEW; LIVERPOOL FC

Jurgen Klopp has gone all out to get in players that will address the weaknesses exposed in the Champions League final due to the thinness of a squad depleted by injuries during the final stages of the 2017/18 season. 

 Source; The Irish Times

For a number of seasons, one of the issues being touted as a bane to our successful challenging for the “Holy Grail" EPL has been squad thinness; whereas the Manchester City second 11 could get into most starting lineups (Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Fernadinho, etc),

we had a thin bench filled with a lot of upcoming talent. With the purchase of Xherdan Shaqiri, Alisson Becker, Fabinho Tavares and the conclusion of the “Naby Keita” deal from RB Leipzig; all in addition to signing Van Dijk in January, Jurgen has delivered a three edged stroke;

i.  Addressed the areas of Liverpool’s hitherto weakness (particularly the defence which most journos loved to go on about, even when it had improved).

ii. Strengthened squad personnel; Shaqiri as a substitute for one of the front 3. That the LFC front 3 is the deadliest in the Premier League is not news; however, picture that 26^th of May, had the Salah substitution been Xherdan as opposed to an unfit Lallana, the results might have been much different.

             

                                                                    

iii. Shown intent/ambition. For the first time in over a decade, management, ownership and the fans of the club are pulling in the same direction and it is beautiful to see. Having been a fan for most of my life, it is a bonus to have fans of other clubs sweating on Liverpool’s transfer activity (accusing us of buying the league is extreme and of course Jose Mourinho with his "Liverpool are buying everybody" is on his usual meltdown/mind games binge; but am loving it to be honest).

PERFOMANCE; LAST 5 SEASONS

EPL SEASON	LEAGUE TABLE POSITION
2013-14	2
2014-15	6
2015-16	8
2016-17	4
2017-18	4

Manchester City were runaway league leaders last season; and while it will take a serious dip in their form and performances to prevent them from successfully retaining their title, it is a testament to Jurgen’s rebuilding work with Liverpool since October 2015, an exhilarating run that culminated in a UCL final last season, that LFC look most poised to be the ones to prevent City from doing so. One thing is for certain; it will be a very interesting season. 

Might I add, I am so excited; I can barely wait for our first game against West Ham.
I have to mention the resurgence of a certain "Daniel Sturridge" during the run of pre-season games. Studge looks like the player who gave Luis Suarez a run for his money during the 2013/14 season. I wish him all the best and hope he remains match fit; what a phenomenal striker he is when he's at his best is unbelievable... Or is it the battle in the midfield for places by Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita, Fabinho, Lallana and Oxlade-Chamberlain (when he gets back to playing)? How about TAA and Robertson hurtling down the flanks; let's not forget a certain Joe Gomez, Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno looking to get playing time. Or the fabulous trio of Firmino, Mane and Salah? It's a great time to be a Liverpool fan.

WHERE LIVERPOOL WILL FINISH THIS SEASON; Top 3; win a trophy (at least). Let the season begin...

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