With the new season approaching, it brings a new set of challenges for Liverpool Football Club. The Reds missed out on a possible quadruple last season and ended up winning the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. They need to work on some aspects of their gameplay and team constitution to stay a step ahead of their rivals and go all guns blazing in the 2022-23 season. Without further ado, let's get to them.
A fresh approach to breach defenses
Most Premier League teams know how to defend against Liverpool. It just seems like shutting down Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas is equivalent to shutting down the team's goals.
While it's not necessary to cut them out completely, there just isn't a backup tactic that they can implement mid-game to help the attackers score.
Alexander-Arnold should have a backup. Joe Gomez did a fantastic job of filling in for him during his injury period but just isn't a natural right-back. The Reds have signed 18-year old Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen, as he would be a natural to fill in Alexander-Arnold's boots.
Exposed defensive highline
The defenders from Liverpool's 2021-22 team did a fantastic job conceding the joint-least goals (26) in the league. Virgil van Dijk had a brilliant comeback season and Joel Matip arguably had his best season in a Reds shirt. Ibrahima Konate turned out to be a smart buy as he was smartly used against quicker and physical opponents. Alisson Becker was one of the best goalkeepers in the world this past season.
If there was to be one negative, it would be the exposed highline. Too many faster opponents caught the highline out and a lot of precious points were dropped because of it. If Liverpool were to continue using this highline for the upcoming season, there should be sufficient cover for the caught-out full-backs.
New midfield combinations
Klopp's midfield is rarely able to affect the outcome of the match if the full-backs have an off game. While Fabinho offers stability to the backline, Thiago Alcantara offers the chance to control the game and help the attackers find space in the opposition half.
It's a struggle to see how Liverpool concede points with a midfield consisting of these two as they seldom put a wrong foot in the 90 minutes. The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain haven't been as successful in the third midfielder role as Klopp would have wanted.
Thiago's best days are behind him and may not be fit enough to play every game in the 38-game season. Henderson has done a brilliant job in Fabinho's number 6 role and should solely be utilized there when Fabinho is to be rested. Harvey Elliott should be retained in that right side 8 role again in the upcoming season, with Curtis Jones and Jordan Henderson being his backups.
Liverpool should look to offload Oxlade-Chamberlain and replace him with a player who can easily be deputy to Thiago and match his on-pitch creativity. It would be fair if Naby Keita is given another season to show his worth, but if they receive an appropriate offer for him, they should sell.
New look Liverpool attack
The 2021-22 season saw Liverpool break their own record of most goals in a single season. However, at the turn of the new year, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz seemed to be the only two attackers who had goals in them. The attack failed to score in any of the finals that they competed in, and frequent injuries to Roberto Firmino took a hit to the squad's depth.
While Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah played their part in 2021, they just didn't seem to have the consistency to pull it off until the end of the season. With Mane leaving the club, Klopp has a lot to think about.
Fabio Carvalho and Darwin Nunez are expected to be part of the roster for the season. This will help Klopp with his attacking options. Besides Salah and Firmino, all the attackers in the team are flexible enough to play any attacking role. This trait helps in switching positions in between games to lose track of a defender and results in great results.
How will the new additions fit?
Fabio Carvalho was announced earlier to be a part of the squad shortly after the season concluded. He is a winger/false nine, who can play multiple positions. He is quick with his feet and dribbles really well. He also has a good eye for goal.
Darwin Nunez was rumoured to be a part of Jurgen Klopp's side when news arose of Sadio Mane leaving the club. He is 22 years old and primarily plays as a center forward, while also being comfortable on the left side of the pitch. He is a poacher and a brilliant finisher.
Calvin Ramsay is a young, talented right-back. He is an exciting prospect who played for Scottish side Aberdeen last season. He scored once and had nine assists to his name in the 33 appearances he made.
With Manchester City further strengthening their squad, it will surely be another title race. We should all be excitedly looking forward to a competitive football season.
Sam_K
0
City close to being surpassed by Liverpool. This season will prove it. The defence will be the weakness. Not sure about Haaland, the speed may be hard to adapt to. Nunez and South Americans in general cope with increased tempo better. We will see.
Good luck
lawdentuz
0
Don't be jealous, GREALISH already clinched his EPL trophy in his first year,,,, don't kill you self. ASK GERRARD, HOW MANY ELL DID HE LIFT AT LIVERPOOL FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS, I THINK IS ZERO=0
And how many UCLs did man city lift???
mezelmopyz
0
LFC just need to offload Ox and get a commanding midfielder
They want to wait till next yr to buy Bellingham. But I say buy Youri Tielemans now on the cheap. Can still go for Bellingham next yr.
mezelmopyz
0
The L'pool MF is the only concern now. The club recognised the problem and rightly went for Tchouameni. But sadly it failed. The resources and energy were switched to reinforcing the attack, with Nunez. That however still leaves the MF a bit short. The story is that Bellingham is now the target but for next summer. But that probably means playing in 2022/23 with a deficient MF. Why not there4 sell Ox who has a yr to go and bring in a decent replacement who'll be an upgrade, even if not exactly Tchouameni or Bellingham class. The latter can still be pursued next yr. Am thinking of YOURI TIELEMANS. He has a yr to go in Leicester and will there4 not be too expensive. He's very decent as a CM, with gd defensive, attacking and ball handling skills. I will go for him.
Fabaelnuyz
0
Don't be jealous, GREALISH already clinched his EPL trophy in his first year,,,, don't kill you self. ASK GERRARD, HOW MANY ELL DID HE LIFT AT LIVERPOOL FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS, I THINK IS ZERO=0
Fabaelnuyz
0
YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME,,,, TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE ONLY WAY LIVERPOOL CAN WIN PREMIER LEAGUE IS WHEN MAN CITY LEAVE ENGLAND AND REGISTER FOR ANOTHER LEAGUE. BUT IF CITY IS IN THE RACE, BELIEVE ME OR NO, NOT ONLY LIVERPOOL, BUT ALSO ANY CLUB IN ENGLAND WILL NEVER WIN E.P.L..... CAN'T YOU REMEMBER, THAT IS FOUR TIMES IN A DECADE THAT CITY SNATCHED THE EPL IN THE THE HAND OF LIVERPOOL WITH A SINGLE ONE POINT ONLY.... GO BACK TO HISTORY... JUST KILL THEM IS THE ONLY WAY OUT, OTHERWISE U ARE STILL RUNNERS-UP.
Bumcdlrsyz
1
another 30 years
besacelmpy
0
It's almost impossible to beat city at the moment specially if Haaland continues his form for Dortmund, we are all just going to sit back and watch them win year after year while fighting for 2nd place[Crylaugh]
City close to being surpassed by Liverpool. This season will prove it. The defence will be the weakness. Not sure about Haaland, the speed may be hard to adapt to. Nunez and South Americans in general cope with increased tempo better. We will see.
besacelmpy
0
But still they will loss to Madrid 🔥
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Quick buy some more defenders. Rubbish team to watch. Defensive garbage.
cutesenator
0
my stupid opinion,, should have sold Salah instead of mane. sign a world class creative attacking midfielder. sell Keita, always bench Henderson since LFC is so reluctant to sell him. buy dembele or Anthony to replace Salah, buy Nunez anyway to rotate with mane. Ramsey is a good signing. and lastly advised vvd to focus on winning the game and not bother with about the headlines after the game. thanks ✌
Liverpool don't want to sell Mane and Mane wants to leave, it will profit us nothing if he chooses to leave like Gini or Divock, and since they will need a replacement they needed the money to buy the replacement hence the sell. Divock leaving on a free is understandable he wasn't a first team player, But Gini I still can't wrap my head around.
SirLanceLord
0
my stupid opinion,, should have sold Salah instead of mane. sign a world class creative attacking midfielder. sell Keita, always bench Henderson since LFC is so reluctant to sell him. buy dembele or Anthony to replace Salah, buy Nunez anyway to rotate with mane. Ramsey is a good signing. and lastly advised vvd to focus on winning the game and not bother with about the headlines after the game. thanks ✌
Man United fan giving advise to Liverpool
wuzcnosy
2
after buying Grealish you the stupid fan claim city will rule Europe what happy then.shame to some of you
Somlpstuyz
1
It's almost impossible to beat city at the moment specially if Haaland continues his form for Dortmund, we are all just going to sit back and watch them win year after year while fighting for 2nd place[Crylaugh]
Boss u never know....he played for B/Dortmond....he scored goasl ...but they did not win the league
Somlpstuyz
0
But still they will loss to Madrid 🔥
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what goes around....comes around
Somlpstuyz
0
ManCity will still reign...I know it will be a bitter pill to swallow at the end
They got more money to spend
Somlpstuyz
0
my stupid opinion,, should have sold Salah instead of mane. sign a world class creative attacking midfielder. sell Keita, always bench Henderson since LFC is so reluctant to sell him. buy dembele or Anthony to replace Salah, buy Nunez anyway to rotate with mane. Ramsey is a good signing. and lastly advised vvd to focus on winning the game and not bother with about the headlines after the game. thanks ✌
Mane wanted to leave....
besacelmpy
0
Spot on!! Without planning a new way to attack will leave them behind maybe even in 3rd place. And constantly seeing hendo and fab isn't good for them, never saw great chances created by mid field Many teams just sit back so also need a midfielder who can take long range shoots FREQUENTLY.
People are confused. The system is being adjusted to account for deep defensive teams. Liverpool are comfortably beating other systems but the low block causes us problems. Nunez is key. Why? Low block teams are compact and centred around their own goal. This leaves space on the wings and through overloads (2v1 on wings) it allows crosses to be fired into the danger zone but height speed and strength are required to take advantage. Nunez brings that. Over the top chips and long range shots can also displace defenders in low block so you need someone to attack 2nd ball and be able to score from inside penalty box. Nunez can do this too. In fact just his presence will cause problems because now defenders can expect high or low balls delivered at speed with either direct scoring opportunities or a lay off to accompanying forwards. In corners it will cause problems because Konate Virg and Nunez have height and strength (Fabs and Joel) also bring this quality but we have never had this quality permanently based in our attack. It's an extra dimension. Carvalho (from what I can see loves to dribble) attacking from Midfield and pulling defenders out of position whilst protected by Fab is also required to beat a low block team. I like what Klopp is doing. Mane is a big loss but I see our improvement to the team which overall will make us more dangerous against any system. Yes we missed out on the PL and CL but we were in all 4 to the very last second, this is not a sign of failure its a sign of evolution. Its a sign of things to come. YNWA
Huncdknosz
0
teddy that's easier said than done, Nd stop dreaming wildly!!
dancingbanana
2
my stupid opinion,, should have sold Salah instead of mane. sign a world class creative attacking midfielder. sell Keita, always bench Henderson since LFC is so reluctant to sell him. buy dembele or Anthony to replace Salah, buy Nunez anyway to rotate with mane. Ramsey is a good signing. and lastly advised vvd to focus on winning the game and not bother with about the headlines after the game. thanks ✌
Shenzy11
3
Imagine Manchester United or Newcastle United winning the league this season, I believe it can still happen in EPL again.. You're right if you don't agree with this comment. 🤗😂
poebdilruy
0
they will wait another 30 years to win de epl,or may 60 years dis tym...
vibewithme
1
I see you analyzers know this coaching game more than kloop why not coach a club then and be more successful than Liverpool is right now
bamcekmrsz
3
ManCity will still reign...I know it will be a bitter pill to swallow at the end
Gozzy20
0
they only won the premier league with the help of VAR they should i now forget about it, somebody screenshot this
saying rubbish
TeddyPeace
4
they only won the premier league with the help of VAR they should i now forget about it, somebody screenshot this
LFCadi
0
Fabinho isn’t good ? are you smoking ? This is how we play and we just unlucky last season
Fabinho is most important in midfield but I'm talking about combination, if hendo and fab plays together there isn't much creativity in midfield, though defense gets better at some point but we have failed to create chances from midfield
442patzo
1
LFC just need to offload Ox and get a commanding midfielder
YNWApool
0
Spot on!! Without planning a new way to attack will leave them behind maybe even in 3rd place. And constantly seeing hendo and fab isn't good for them, never saw great chances created by mid field Many teams just sit back so also need a midfielder who can take long range shoots FREQUENTLY.
Fabinho isn’t good ? are you smoking ? This is how we play and we just unlucky last season
BåsitZakhil
1
But still they will loss to Madrid 🔥
viucdelnz
2
Here we go again, At the end City won the EPL 🤣
Sam_K
3
It's almost impossible to beat city at the moment specially if Haaland continues his form for Dortmund, we are all just going to sit back and watch them win year after year while fighting for 2nd place[Crylaugh]
kojomorvic
1
They have started again ooo
HassanBEYE
4
You will never walk alone
LFCadi
1
Spot on!! Without planning a new way to attack will leave them behind maybe even in 3rd place. And constantly seeing hendo and fab isn't good for them, never saw great chances created by mid field Many teams just sit back so also need a midfielder who can take long range shoots FREQUENTLY.
Exactly, naby scored some bangers, but haven't seen many of them
niaabcekpy
4
Spot on!! Without planning a new way to attack will leave them behind maybe even in 3rd place. And constantly seeing hendo and fab isn't good for them, never saw great chances created by mid field Many teams just sit back so also need a midfielder who can take long range shoots FREQUENTLY.