Having cruised to their first ever Premier League title in their 2019-20 season, there was talk Liverpool could go on and dominate the English top-flight for campaigns to come.
That of course was not to be, as the Reds put up what in the end was a disappointing title defence. However, there is plenty to still be positive about at Anfield, and Jurgen Klopp’s side can be expected to mount a serious title challenge next term.
Injuries Rocked Reds
It was well documented that Liverpool’s title defence was seriously hampered by their injuries in defence. Centre-back Virgil van Dijk would arguably walk into any team in the world, and the loss of the Dutchman to a serious knee injury was a real blow in the first half of the season.
England defender Joe Gomez also suffered a season-ending injury to add to Klopp’s woes in the heart of his title-winning defence. The Reds scrambled to bring in cover, but really the January arrivals papered over the cracks. With Van Dijk and Gomez well on the road to recovery, Liverpool is now 11/2 in the Premier League betting to win the title next season. But simply having two key defenders returning won’t be enough to get the job done, and the Reds will be looking to some fresh faces in the summer window, as they bid to take back the title from Manchester City.
Summer Arrivals
In a bid to narrow the gap on Pep Guardiola’s champions, Liverpool have been linked with a host of fresh faces. Attacking duo Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho have both been connected with a switch to Anfield in recent months.
In defence, Ibrahima Konate has been attracting interest from Liverpool, after the centre-back enjoyed an impressive season in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig. The Reds are also thought to be considering fresh options in midfield, with Brighton’s Yves Bissouma being a player that has been on the club’s radar for some time now.
On the face of it, it seems Liverpool supporters can expect four or five new faces through the doors at Anfield this summer, as the squad looks for an injection of quality to take them back to the top.
Making Anfield a Fortress Once More
What will have troubled Reds’ fans last season more than anything, was seeing the team’s impressive home record at Anfield seemingly evaporate overnight. Having enjoyed a 68-game unbeaten Premier League run at Anfield, a 1-0 defeat to Burnley back in January started a torrid series of results for the Merseyside outfit on home soil. Liverpool went on to lose another five consecutive home games, with relegated side Fulham even picking up a win at the home of the former champions.
Liverpool did enjoy a strong end to the season to clinch third place, and, crucially, earn Champions League football once again. With fans set to return to Anfield, the team’s more familiar winning home form should return.
As supporters come back, top quality defenders return from injury and fresh faces are brought in over the summer, Liverpool look set to put their last campaign behind them and be pushing for a second Premier League crown next term.
