Liverpool were really close to their 1st ever Premier League crown last year but fell short by two points. This season, they have lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona, which might have a big say in their overall performance as the Uruguayan contributed 43% in their goal scoring exploits last season. How will they line up and how far will they go this season? We take a look.

The Transfer Window: 

Liverpool’s transfer activity has been nothing short of a hustle this summer, they have wrapped up deals pretty fast this time around after the past season’s transfer window debacles where they were simply to slow to approach their targets. Most of it resulted because the Reds qualified for the Champions League. Luis Suarez and Pepe Reina were the high profile exits with the former moving to Barcelona for the 3rd highest transfer fee ever recorded.

 

 

You might think that Liverpool are doing a Tottenham this time, but that’s not what it is! Liverpool’s squad was pretty small compared to the other top 5 teams last year and with Champions League coming up, the need to strengthen was imperative. Emre Can, Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic and Dejan Lovren were signed to provide quality depth to the squad. Rickie Lambert’s return to Anfield is story that is nothing short of a dream come true as the 32-year old striker was released by the club when he was a teenager! Alberto Moreno will be a Liverpool player pretty soon as an agreement was reached with Sevilla for the talented left back. Brendan Rodgers will want to sign one more striker before the window closes as Divock Origi was loaned back after being signed from Lille for £10m.

 

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Pre-season results:

BRØNDBY 2-1 LIVERPOOL

PRESTON 1-2 LIVERPOOL

AS ROMA 1-0 LIVERPOOL

MANCHESTER CITY 2-2 LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL 2-0 AC MILAN

LIVERPOOL 1-3 MANCHESTER UNITED

LIVERPOOL 4-0 BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Tactics and probable line-up:

Brendan Rodgers is very astute manager when it comes to tactics, and it showed last season when he tried three different formations. With the players that they possess, 4-3-3 seems to be the best foot forward for Liverpool at the moment. Simon Mignolet is the 1st choice goalkeeper and will remain there as the sale of Pepe Reina reduced the competition. In defense, Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel are expected to start ahead of Mamadou Sakho and Daniel Agger. Lovren’s arrival will shore up the defense as the Croat has the necessary leadership skills that the Liverpool backline have been missing ever since Jamie Carragher’s retirement. Moreno’s signing will make him the 1st choice at left back and fellow Spaniard Javier Manquillo might just make it to the team sheet ahead of Glen Johnson who hasn’t had the best of times in the last 8 months or so.

In midfield, the trio of Joe Allen, Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson will provide the necessary shape to the midfield. Gerrard’s main responsibility will be to cover the defense and start counter attacking moves with his brilliant passing ability. Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson will support the skipper and press from the halfway line. Henderson’s role is key as he’ll join the attack and help out in defending. Often referred to as the “engine” of the team, Henderson works tirelessly and was missed in the last few games of the previous season. Emre Can’s arrival will add depth as he is a very versatile player and can play in any of the three positions in that midfield.

Luis Suarez’s departure will make Daniel Sturridge as the main man upfront for Liverpool. The 24 year old was the second highest goal scorer in the Premier League last season and with the support of Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling, there is no reason why he cannot reach the 20 goal mark again. Coutinho and Sterling will play a big part this time as they’ll have to contribute more goals this time around. Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana will be key cogs of the squad too as the Merseyside club play in 4 competitions this season. The addition of Rickie Lambert adds a plan B to the play as the striker is tall, strong and has good technique too. Philippe Coutinho can drift from the left side to take up a playmaker’s role behind Sturridge and Sterling to provide the creativity against rigid teams.

lfcXI

 

Prediction: 

Game changer: Philippe Coutinho The WILD CARD: Lazar Markovic
footsie

FOOTSIE’s Prediction

League: 5th

UCL: Last 16

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