Following their near victory in an unprecedented quadruple during the 2021-22 season, Liverpool faced a rather disheartening campaign in 2022-23. Despite their efforts, they managed to secure only the Community Shield as their sole piece of silverware, failing to secure a position in the top four by the conclusion of the season.
Jürgen Klopp witnessed the departure of some of his most reliable players; however, he also welcomed some promising new additions to his squad, aiming to guide his team back to contention in the Premier League. In this preview of Liverpool’s 2023-24 season, we delve into five crucial inquiries that Klopp must address.
Read More: Liverpool transfer news 2023: Mac Allister official; Khephren Thuram personal terms agreed and more
Will the Newly Formed Midfield Hit the Ground Running From the Beginning?
Liverpool’s midfield resembles a plotline from one of those home renovation TV shows, where something long neglected undergoes a complete transformation. With just a single midfielder signed since 2018 prior to this summer (Thiago Alcântara in 2020), Liverpool now seems poised to acquire at least three new midfielders within a matter of months.
This shift is largely a response to necessity, as the departures of James Milner, Naby Keïta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho since the previous season have left a significant void to fill.
The exit of these seasoned players has created a notable void, which has, so far, been partially addressed by the additions of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. Additionally, reports suggest that the club is actively pursuing Roméo Lavia, a teenage talent from Southampton. The younger talents within Liverpool’s ranks, namely Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Stefan Bajcetic, are also expected to step up and contribute.
The midfield was a clear area in need of substantial improvement. Many attributed Liverpool’s lackluster performance in the 2022-23 season to their midfield, which frequently appeared outpaced and outmuscled, particularly in away matches.
Liverpool have submitted third bid for Roméo Lavia, as expected — it’s worth £45m add ons included 🚨🔴 #LFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2023
Southampton, not accepting again as they insist on £50m asking price — as @SkySportsPL @MelissaReddy_ called.
Told negotiations now continue. pic.twitter.com/uiEFtdyEhg
Although Jürgen Klopp has historically relied on his full-backs for assists and his forwards for goals, the midfield’s offensive contribution had been lacking. Merely eight goals were scored by Liverpool’s midfielders in the previous Premier League season, including Fabio Carvalho’s two goals; however, Carvalho will spend the upcoming season on loan at RB Leipzig.
Even if the midfield had been tasked with ball retention and defensive protection, it appeared to fall short in that regard as well. Among midfielders who played a minimum of 18 games, only Thiago (57.7%) managed to win over half of his duels, and he was the sole Liverpool midfielder to be ranked among the top 30 for interceptions per 90.
Another issue was Thiago’s limited appearance count in the league, with him featuring in just 18 games. In contrast, each of Mac Allister (57.3%), Szoboszlai (50.9%), and Lavia (56.2%) won over half of their duels in league matches last season, with the first two players combining for a total of 26 goal involvements.
As of the conclusion of the previous season, Liverpool’s midfield boasted an average age of 27.6 years (excluding Arthur Melo, who was on loan and played only 13 minutes in total). However, should they succeed in securing Lavia’s services, the commencement of the upcoming campaign will see their midfield options averaging just 22.4 years in age.
With Thiago (32) being the sole player above the age of 24, and merely two out of seven choices surpassing 22 years old, this dynamic will naturally shift. Of course, this scenario could alter if Trent Alexander-Arnold permanently transitions into midfield. Nevertheless, one could make the case that any additional midfield signings before the transfer window closes, beyond Lavia, should ideally introduce a touch of seasoned experience.
Klopp faces the pivotal decision of entrusting the new arrivals to swiftly acclimate or adopting a gradual integration approach, potentially affording more early-season minutes to individuals like Thiago, Jones, and Elliott. Notably, Mac Allister, particularly adept and poised in preseason, has displayed an impressive level of readiness.
Liverpool’s departure of considerable experience and leadership this summer, which had proved invaluable in prior years, needs acknowledgment. Yet, it’s worth noting that this factor didn’t notably enhance their performance in the previous season. With no alternative, they are compelled to embrace this audacious new era, relying on what they envision as a daring new driving force.
Maximizing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Performance: Strategies to Achieve Optimal Results
Having previously held a distinguished reputation as one of the premier right-backs in global football, Alexander-Arnold’s decline in form during the last season was a cause for concern, resonating as one of the most noticeable downturns at Anfield. While he faced substantial critique for his defensive contributions, it was perhaps the decline in his offensive statistics that warranted greater attention.
From a defensive standpoint, Alexander-Arnold committed a mere two errors leading to shots throughout the entire Premier League season, with none culminating in goals. Prior to the home clash with Arsenal in early April, he ranked among the elite, boasting a tackle success rate of 73.2%, outperforming most of his fellow Premier League defenders who had participated in a minimum of 15 matches at that juncture. Impressively, he had been dribbled past by opponents just 20 times, a notable 15 instances fewer than Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United.
Nonetheless, numbers can only offer a partial perspective, and keen observers of Liverpool’s matches would have noticed Alexander-Arnold’s struggle with maintaining consistency and self-assurance on the field.
Even more astonishing was his dwindling impact on the offensive front. After registering an impressive tally of 12 league assists in the preceding season, he managed only two assists in his initial 27 league appearances during the 2022-23 campaign. However, a pivotal shift in Klopp’s tactical approach occurred prior to the Arsenal encounter in April, wherein Alexander-Arnold transitioned into a midfield role when Liverpool was in possession.
This transformation yielded fruitful results, as he orchestrated Roberto Firmino’s late equalizer against the title contenders, subsequently amassing seven assists across ten matches. Remarkably, during this period, he dominated the league in terms of touches, leading all players with 1,073, a substantial 122 touches more than Lewis Dunk of Brighton, who secured the second-highest count.
Additionally, he ranked second in possession gained (80) during this timeframe, trailing only Casemiro of Manchester United (89), further suggesting that this tactical evolution positively impacted his defensive contributions as well.
Considering the remarkable transformation experienced by both the player and the team as a result of this adjustment, it is logical to anticipate that Klopp will continue to employ this strategy throughout the 2023-24 season. In the wake of the tactical alteration, Liverpool notched up an impressive 24 points, a figure only surpassed by champions Manchester City, who secured 25 points, over the concluding 10 matches.
The initial indications gleaned from the preseason phase suggest that the manager is indeed inclined to maintain his confidence in this formation. Alexander-Arnold was notably fielded as a conventional defensive midfielder during the initial two pre-season matches. However, this positional shift likely arose from a scarcity of alternative options rather than a definitive signal of a permanent relocation. Notably, he returned to his customary role for the encounters against Leicester City and Bayern Munich during the Singapore tour.
Does Liverpool’s Defense Possess Enough Strength?
While the midfield has been a focal point of the summer’s efforts, there are lingering concerns regarding the defense.
Liverpool encountered notable vulnerabilities in their defensive line during the previous season. Their goal was assailed by a total of 370 shots in the Premier League, marking an increase of 73 shots compared to the preceding campaign. This tally represented the highest number of shots faced in a complete season since Klopp’s arrival in 2015. Furthermore, their defensive woes extended to conceding high-quality scoring opportunities, as a staggering 27.8% of the shots directed at their goal were categorized as significant scoring chances. This figure stands as the highest percentage during Klopp’s tenure.
In the 2021-22 season, they confronted just 53 major scoring opportunities, positioning them as the fifth-lowest figure within the league. However, this statistic nearly doubled in the subsequent 2022-23 season, reaching 103 big chances. This placed them third on the list, trailing only Leeds United and Fulham, both of whom faced 112 significant opportunities.
However, this predicament cannot be solely attributed to the defense. As previously mentioned, the midfield’s protective role was minimal, and Klopp noted during the campaign that the team’s forward defensive efforts had also suffered, likely due to the adjustment to new personnel in that area of the pitch.
Turning attention to their center-back options, they encompass Joël Matip and Virgil van Dijk, both in their thirties, Joe Gomez, who has struggled to maintain a consistently high performance level since the title-winning 2019-20 season due to injuries and difficulties in reclaiming his spot in the lineup, and Ibrahima Konaté, who has showcased promise since his arrival from RB Leipzig two years ago but has been hindered by injuries, allowing him to participate in only 29 league games during that span.
Should they persist with the new tactical framework, the right-sided center-back will be tasked with covering more ground due to Alexander-Arnold’s ventures into midfield. Additionally, the left-back position, occupied by Andy Robertson, has seen a shift towards a more central-defensive role, suggesting a potential requirement for a more natural fit in that position, especially given Liverpool’s current lack of a left-footed center-back.
Preseason matches have unveiled vulnerabilities, with Liverpool conceding four goals in friendlies against both Greuther Fürth and Bayern Munich. However, it’s worth noting that the unfamiliar defensive lineup and goalkeeper during the second half of the first game likely contributed to this outcome. Bayern Munich capitalized on significant openings on Liverpool’s right defensive flank during their 4-3 victory, exposing areas of weakness.
Considering the recent departure of Fabinho, who often served as an emergency center-back and was deployed in that role during the 2020-21 season, it becomes imperative for the club to secure at least one defender before the transfer window closes. The aim is to avoid a situation reminiscent of that particular year, ensuring that defensive reinforcement is a priority to preempt any challenges.
Which Players Will Form the Attacking Line?
There is a diminished sense of worry regarding the forward choices, as it appears that Liverpool have taken appropriate measures to secure their future prospects.
In the past year, Sadio Mané, Divock Origi, and Roberto Firmino have all departed, yet the acquisitions of Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, and Cody Gakpo over the last three transfer windows have fortified the lineup. Combined with the presence of Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota, this assemblage constitutes one of the most potent attacking quintets across European football.
Arguably, this marks a pinnacle in Klopp’s managerial tenure in terms of attacking depth. While he had previously relied on the iconic trio of Mané, Firmino, and Salah, supplemented by serviceable yet unspectacular backups like Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Takumi Minamino, the current scenario presents a solitary Salah surrounded by four alternatives, each capable of initiating any given match and introducing distinct attributes to the team’s dynamic.
In the realm of creativity, Liverpool maintained a commendable standard despite the departure of Mané in the previous summer. Among Premier League teams, only Manchester City (103) matched their 103 significant scoring opportunities created. Nonetheless, the hindrance stemmed from the execution of these chances.
Their conversion rate of 37.6% ranked among the bottom five, with a mere five teams displaying a less efficient conversion rate. Notably, Arsenal, despite crafting 30 fewer opportunities in total, outscored Liverpool by two goals in terms of significant chances converted, underscoring the significance of finishing efficiency.
Gakpo, who joined from PSV Eindhoven in January, demonstrated promise, while Jota exhibited improvement in his performance in the latter games after overcoming a prolonged calf injury. Díaz, unfortunately, faced considerable disruption to his season due to a knee injury. Klopp’s optimism hinges on Díaz’s ability to maintain fitness and recapture the exceptional form that enabled him to net 14 goals in 18 league matches for Porto in the initial half of the 2021-22 season before his transfer to Liverpool.
Likewise, the resurgence of Núñez as a potent scorer, reminiscent of his performance in the Primeira Liga where he converted 21 goals from 35 significant chances (60%) in the 2021-22 campaign, could potentially mitigate any goal-scoring concerns in the upcoming season.
Núñez has displayed a pattern of requiring a year to acclimate to a new club. He tallied six goals in 29 appearances (19 starts) for Benfica in the 2020-21 season before remarkably escalating his output to 26 goals in 28 appearances (24 starts) the subsequent season.
Jota’s goal drought spanned an entire calendar year until he found the net in the 6-1 triumph over Leeds in April, marking his first goal of the 2022-23 season. His campaign concluded with a total of seven goals, all of which were scored in his final nine matches – an impressive feat considering only five of those appearances were starts. This figure surpassed the goal tallies of his teammates during that timeframe. Jota has maintained his sharpness during the pre-season phase, sustaining his positive trajectory.
Klopp’s challenge lies in discerning the optimal choices from his array of options and determining when to deploy them. It is reasonable to anticipate a substantial degree of rotation, with Salah’s presence on the right flank being the only certainty, subject to any injuries. The approach seems to adopt a tailored strategy for each specific situation.
In addition to the established choices, there’s the inclusion of the exciting 17-year-old Scottish winger, Ben Doak, to contemplate. His potential to deliver an offensive threat from the bench offers a valuable asset, potentially affording Salah some periods of rest. Notably, Salah’s involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations during January and February implies a need for contingency planning. Doak, alongside Szoboszlai and potentially Elliott, will likely be vying for the opportunity to step up during that period.
The impending challenge for Klopp is navigating the selection process, recognizing the unique strengths of each player, and orchestrating a cohesive rotation strategy to optimize the team’s performance in varying contexts.
What Level of Significance Should be Attributed to the UEFA Europa League?
A potential arena for Doak to secure his opportunities could be the Europa League. In a full season under Klopp for the first time, Liverpool missed out on qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Their inaugural season at Anfield witnessed an engaging run in the Europa League, leaving us to ponder whether they will approach the tournament with a motive to avenge their 2015-16 campaign defeat to Sevilla in the final. Alternatively, it might serve as an avenue to provide young or peripheral players with significant playing time.
Both perspectives can coexist, naturally. Arsenal and Manchester United notably introduced numerous alterations to their lineups during the group stage last season. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if key figures such as Van Dijk, Alisson, and Salah feature sparingly, if at all, in the competition prior to the knockout phases.
While a Champions League campaign usually entails minimal alterations – exemplified by Klopp’s mere three changes for the first group match against Napoli following a goalless draw against Everton last season – the Europa League potentially grants more leeway for resting pivotal players. A noteworthy instance is Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta made seven changes for their initial group game against FC Zurich last season following a 3-1 Premier League loss to Man Utd.
Given the intense competition within the Premier League, Liverpool cannot afford to disregard the fact that winning the Europa League represents a secondary avenue to secure Champions League qualification. Enduring a single season without participation in Europe’s premier club competition is one matter; however, a consecutive absence would indeed raise concerns.
European nights hold a special place in the hearts of Liverpool fans, with the older generations reminiscing about their memorable moments in the UEFA Cup. The last triumph in this competition dates back to 2001, a time when a midfielder by the name of McAllister played a pivotal role.
Furthermore, it remains the sole competition under Klopp’s helm that Liverpool has participated in without clinching victory. As the team is acutely aware, success often fuels a winning mentality, making a resounding return to this habit a compelling aspiration for the 2023-24 season.
