Liverpool have made a tidy begin to their Premier League marketing campaign in attempting circumstances, however what have we realized from the opening couple of months?
The Reds have picked up 17 factors from a doable 24 up to now this season and might really feel considerably aggrieved to not be even higher off after the chaos that ensued at Tottenham.
Not many backed Jurgen Klopp‘s aspect to mount a severe title cost again in the summertime, however the spectacular showings of resilience have given followers loads of causes for optimism.
By some means, one other worldwide break is upon us! Whereas the stop-start nature of the early levels can frustrate many, it does provide us an opportunity to take inventory of what we’ve witnessed up to now.
We’ve picked out 5 of the primary issues that may be gleaned from the primary eight video games of the season.
The champions aren’t indestructible
We are sometimes responsible of dismissing Man Metropolis as an unattainable pressure powered by infinite sources and a ‘versatile’ strategy to truthful spending.
Liverpool know higher than anybody that that’s not at all times the case, having convincingly overthrown the Residents in 2019/20 and taking the title race all the way down to the ultimate day on two different events beneath this supervisor.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect have regarded removed from their convincing finest so far, struggling back-to-back league defeats for the primary time in eight years in opposition to Wolves and Arsenal.
Historical past additionally dictates that no aspect have ever lifted 4 successive league titles in England and doing so off the again of an emotionally draining treble season shall be no straightforward process.
The Reds positioned themselves only one level behind Man Metropolis heading into the break having had a a lot harder set of opening fixtures than the present champions.
We’re additionally all too conscious of how succesful they’re of happening a profitable run and exhibiting a clear pair of heels to the chasing pack, however Liverpool are handily positioned having already visited Tottenham, Brighton, Chelsea and Newcastle.
No. 6 questions
Liverpool’s failure to land Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in the summertime noticed them flip to Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, however the Japan captain has made only one league begin up to now.
Alexis Mac Allister has predominantly been the person tasked with filling the defensive midfield slot, with many arguing that this doesn’t essentially cater to his attributes.
There have been some who believed Ryan Gravenberch could also be requested to cowl on the base of midfield, however the early indicators are that the supervisor views him as anyone extra suited to the No. 8 position.
It begs the query, have the Reds left themselves brief in that space and can it’s addressed in January?
Hyperlinks to Fluminense’s Andre persist and the Copa Libertadores may have reached its conclusion when the window opens, which may clarify the membership’s want to carry out.
Europa League perks
It wasn’t what the Reds had been aiming for final season, however UEFA’s second-tier competitors may present Klopp with a perfect alternative to unfold the minutes round his squad.
We have now already seen the boss change between a Premier League aspect and a rotated XI throughout the midweek fixtures within the League Cup and Europa League, with the likes of Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott among the many many beneficiaries.
Cup alternatives are scarce for fringe gamers when Liverpool are within the Champions League, however this season’s European marketing campaign has allowed the workforce to construct rhythm in these competitions.
Klopp could select to strengthen his aspect because the rounds put on on, however the group stage has been perfect for the likes of Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez to step up and be counted on a continental stage.
If the Reds are to compete on all fronts once more this season they might want to hold key gamers contemporary and the wins over LASK and Union SG have offered us with an indication of issues to return.
Defensive frailties
Liverpool have continued their behavior of conceding first in 2023/24 and have made life harder for themselves within the course of.
Solely Sheffield United and Luton have been on the receiving finish of the opening blow extra occasions than the Reds within the Premier League up to now, with these two sides already firmly in a relegation scrap.
We have now been pressured to return from behind in opposition to Bournemouth, Newcastle and Wolves, which on one hand demonstrates sturdy mentality however on the opposite poses issues transferring ahead.
It’s a development that has adopted on from final season and can have to be rectified promptly so as to keep away from the inconsistency that plagued us all through 2022/23.
The general factors tally stays spectacular and the away journeys have been robust, however Liverpool have to discover a approach to get out of the blocks extra rapidly if they’re to mount severe challenges.
Targets galore
Whereas transport targets at one finish is proving to be a priority, scoring on the different finish actually doesn’t seem like an issue.
A current Cody Gakpo damage apart, Liverpool have been blessed with 5 elite forwards with a clear invoice of well being up to now this season and the outcomes have been horrifying.
The Reds have outscored Man Metropolis and Arsenal within the opening eight league video games, with Mohamed Salah changing into as prolific at supplying probabilities for his teammates as he has at all times been at taking them.
The Egyptian already has six targets and 4 assists to his identify in all competitions, whereas Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Gakpo have additionally every contributed to the aspect’s whole of 26 throughout the board.
Having an array of attacking expertise with the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai behind them to chip in and supply has made Liverpool a pressure to be reckoned with in entrance of purpose.
