It’s been a year full of ups and downs for Liverpool. Hopes of retaining Champions League football at the start of 2023 have crumbled and ultimately look like a tough mountain to climb. However, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Leunders’ increasingly creative attempts to turn things around have seen Trent Alexander-Arnold move into a new role, coinciding with a significant rise in Liverpool’s fortunes.
It was too late to make the top four, but it provided a much-needed boost. This was reinforced by a summer full of big changes. Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and James Milner have improved, as have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. This left a void for a whole new midfielder and the addition was an interesting one. Elsewhere on the pitch, Roberto Firmino has also departed, leaving only Mohamed Salah among Klopp’s famous winners. But Liverpool still have one of the strongest attacks in the division as they push for a new era of titles, and another trophy could still be up for grabs.Who will give the Reds a win? Who will be the key figure in Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0?
Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah are listed as pillars of this Liverpool team (so the latter three will likely have to sign new deals sooner rather than later – all three are currently tied until 2025). So the question is who else will show up? If Alexander-Arnold continues to play in a hybrid role, the obvious place for another talisman is midfield. This has been going on for some time.
Liverpool’s original super team operated centrally, while the goals and talent came from the other end. That’s why I’m going with Dominic Szoboszlai. His initial display upon arrival at Anfield was just a glimpse of what was to come for the Hungarian. Szoboszlai has all the qualities to be a great player in Liverpool’s midfield and become Klopp’s Kevin De Bruyne. For me, the biggest change between Klopp’s first and second big teams is in the center of the pitch. The defense should be built around Alisson and Van Dijk, while the attack should be built around Salah in the middle. But we’ve seen the biggest development in midfield. Szobosleigh should be built around him, not Alexander-Arnold.
Interestingly, Harvey Elliott is only 20 years old. Most players his age at big clubs like Liverpool are only now seen as potential stars.But Elliott is well past that stage. Klopp repeatedly praised him as one of the club’s best players before he suffered a serious injury as a teenager.
He subsequently became the latest player to miss a game with Liverpool last season, with the manager relying on him to do so. This season was a small step forward. Elliot primarily served as a substitute. But he often shines in these cameos, making several departures. They could come in January after Mohamed Salah leaves the AFCON. James Finlater – Darwin Nunez Mohamed Salah has always been a reliable goalkeeper and finding the net has never been a problem for Liverpool. But the Egyptian cannot always be the hero of the Reds and the responsibility must be shared. Of course, Liverpool parted with the famous trio of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. However, replacing the last duo is not very effective.
Liverpool are expected to introduce more starting players in the new year. Jurgen Klopp’s option for Kevin De Bruyne is one of them, while the change to Darwin Nunez could be decisive. Jurgen Klopp and Darwin Nunes hope 2024 will be a big year for Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp and Darwin Nunez hope 2024 will be a big year for Liverpool.
