The second half of the season has commenced. While some managers have added new faces to strengthen their squad, others have shown confidence in their players, to take the fight to the end.
Likewise, Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp has added a new player to the squad. Addition of the Columbian winger, Luis Diaz, comes with a message that Liverpool are not done yet. While Manchester City looks as if they are already running away with the Premier League title, there still remains a glimmer of hope for the Reds, who are right on the tail of the leaders. As there is still a long way ahead to go in the season.
Along with the Premier League campaign, the Reds are also in for a chance of winning more silverware this season. They are already in the finals of the EFL Cup, after knocking off Arsenal, where they will face Chelsea. Other than that, they are still in the bid to lift the FA Cup after beating Cardiff City in the 4th Round. Without ignoring the fact that Champions League football will be returning this month, Liverpool remains one of the few favourites of lifting the European honor.
Full squad at Klopp’s mercy
Although, Liverpool did not win any trophies last season – owing to an injury ridden season. It will be safe to say that, Klopp and players alike would have been much relieved by the fact that they got to play the Champions League football this season. The Last Boxing Matchday, Alisson Becker header, sealing their position in the Champions League! No one can write this, you can only witness.
However, the club has moved on pretty quickly from the blemishes of the last season. The players are looking more rejuvenated. The likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Matip, Trent Alexander Arnold are looking as if they never got injured. Even the youngsters, promoted from the academy, are providing for the team’s success whenever their Gaffer has called them.
Although, Klopp recently had to deal with a few absentees and injuries, back in the month of January. A glance at the list of absentees, and it was looking scary at first. Losing Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita to the AFCON. While, Thiago, Elliott and Origi were sitting out due to injuries. But the rest of the players in the squad, along with the academy players, stepped up and shrugged off these setbacks along the way.
Now, Jurgen Klopp has the services of the complete squad at his mercy. Elliott has returned emphatically, with a goal to show for against Cardiff. While the debutant, Diaz, has already got an assist in his bag in the same game coming on from the bench. With Salah and Mane, already on their way back after facing each other in the Final of the AFCON. And thankfully for Klopp and the team, there are no more newly reported injuries in the squad. So, it’ll only be foolish not to believe that Liverpool might lift a trophy this season, let alone a couple.
5-star Attack
After the AFCON final, many Reds might agree to the fact that they were having racing sets of confused emotions. Sadio’s win in the final, while Mo Salah’s yet another AFCON final loss. Bittersweet moments like these, keep the fans more connected to the players and the team they support. For the players, however, it is a return to Anfield after almost a month of International Football.
The return of the two superstars means that Jurgen Klopp has a complete 5-star attack at his disposal, for the first time since the inclusion of Luis Diaz in the squad. Firmino, Jota, Salah, Mane and now Diaz. Since the absence of Mane and Salah, Jota and Firmino have taken the charge and led the team from the front. So, for Klopp, it will be a tough task to drop any one of the players.
While Salah is just in explosive form this season, Mane leads his national side, Senegal, to their first-ever AFCON title. Adding to this is Luis Diaz’s form. The Columbian has taken the momentum from his former side, into the Reds squad in a flash. Assisting in his debut game, while coming on from the bench against Cardiff City.
There are no fresh injury concerns for Jurgen Klopp, to this day. This is where a skillset of a good manager comes to play. A full squad, all players are buzzing with confidence. Everyone wants to prove their worth on the pitch. It is a good sign for the club and the manager. But at the same time as a manager, you don’t want to bench players with so high confidence. Lining up a squad becomes a bit tedious task. However, the CV of the German Gaffer reflects success impending at Anfield, soon.
