Predicted Guardian Ranking: 4th (Note: This is an average of our writers’ predictions and not necessarily Andy Hunter’s prediction)
Position Last Season: 5th
Prospects:
Things were going according to plan for Liverpool. Jürgen Klopp wanted to rebuild the midfield, and the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined fee of £95m seemed to satisfy all requirements. However, the unwanted interest from Saudi Arabia in Jordan Henderson and Fabinho disrupted their plans, and these two integral players started to follow other midfielders like James Milner, Naby Keïta, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the club. While a midfield reconstruction was necessary, Klopp did not anticipate starting from scratch.
Nevertheless, there is genuine optimism at Liverpool. The team is determined to prove that last season’s disappointment was a one-time occurrence and that it will not lead to a serious decline. This theory was supported by an unbeaten 11-game run at the end of last season, which restored belief and sharpened their form.
Klopp still has a considerable range of attacking options at his disposal, and the return of Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz from injuries should further improve the team. Darwin Núñez, last summer’s expensive signing, has shown improvements in pre-season and is working on ironing out the inconsistencies from his debut campaign. Klopp has also revamped the midfield with the acquisitions of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, who bring more attacking creativity to the team. However, a replacement for Fabinho is needed, and Southampton’s Roméo Lavia is a promising candidate. Additionally, central defensive cover is required. Although the absence of Champions League football is a blow, the potential of a Europa League final in Dublin next May provides ample compensation.
The Manager:
Jürgen Klopp, the longest-serving Premier League manager, might have become a grandfather this summer, but it hasn’t softened his ambition or mellowed him. After finishing fifth last season, he confidently stated, “Imagine we were more our normal selves, which we absolutely will be next season. We will be a contender again.” Despite receiving two touchline bans last season, Klopp’s innovation and tactical decisions, such as moving Trent Alexander-Arnold into a hybrid defensive/midfield role, helped spark Liverpool’s recovery.
Leading Shirt Sales:
Liverpool’s top shirt sales reflect the importance of their attacking players. Mohamed Salah continues to dominate shirt sales, followed by the South American duo of Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez. Homegrown player Trent Alexander-Arnold ranks fourth. Salah’s consistent goal-scoring record, with 30 goals in all competitions last season, highlights his indispensable role in Klopp’s attack. Salah is now tied with Steven Gerrard in fifth place on Liverpool’s all-time goal-scoring list with 186 goals. Given his performance in the past six seasons, he is likely to surpass Gerrard on the opening day of the season.
Folk Hero:
Six years ago, Liverpool made a savvy investment of £8m to sign Andy Robertson from Hull City. Since then, Robertson has proven to be one of the best full-backs in the game. His attitude and abilities perfectly suit Anfield. Last season, he surpassed Leighton Baines to become the defender with the most Premier League assists, achieving this feat in 189 fewer appearances than the former Everton left-back. This summer, he was awarded an MBE for his contributions to football, charity, and young people. With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to a more advanced role, Robertson’s speed and awareness have become even more crucial for Liverpool.
Last Season’s Results:
One to Watch:
According to Klopp, 17-year-old Ben Doak has a chance to make a breakthrough at Liverpool. Doak, a talented winger with power and pace, joined the club from Celtic in 2022 and was the second youngest debutant in the club’s history. He scored 10 goals and provided several assists at the youth level last season and made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup against Derby at the age of 16. He later received his Premier League debut against Aston Villa on Boxing Day. Doak has impressed in pre-season and could receive more opportunities in the Europa League.
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