Premier League 2023-24 preview No 11: Liverpool | Liverpool

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 4th (NB: this is not necessarily Andy Hunter’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 5th

Prospects

It was all going so smoothly. Jürgen Klopp wanted to rebuild Liverpool’s midfield, ideally as early as possible, and the acquisitions of the high-caliber duo Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined £95m ticked every box. Then came the unwanted disruption of Saudi Arabian interest in Jordan Henderson and Fabinho and two first-team pillars were following fellow midfielders James Milner, Naby Keïta, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the door. A midfield reconstruction was overdue, but starting anew was not what Klopp had in mind.

That said, there is genuine cause for optimism at Liverpool. There is also a fierce determination to prove last season’s disappointment was a one-off that allowed Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle to capitalize and not the start of a serious reverse. That theory was put to bed by an unbeaten 11-game run that restored belief and fine-tuned form at the end of last season.

The quality of attacking options available to Klopp remains considerable and should be improved by the return to full fitness of Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz. Darwin Núñez, last summer’s big-money buy, has looked sharper in pre-season as he strives to iron out the inconsistencies of his debut Anfield campaign. Midfield is not only new-look but new-type under Klopp, with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai bringing more enterprise into the final third than their predecessors.

A replacement for Fabinho is needed – Southampton’s Roméo Lavia is the young but exciting candidate – along with central defensive cover. The loss of Champions League football will sting but the lure of a Europa League final in Dublin next May offers ample compensation.

The manager

The longest-serving Premier League manager became a grandfather for the first time this summer but age has not mellowed Jürgen Klopp or softened his ambition. “We played a bad season and we came fifth,” the 56-year-old said at the end of last season. “Imagine we were more our normal selves, which we absolutely will be next season.

We will be a contender again.” Klopp received two touchline bans last season and has a one-match suspension carried into 2023-24 should he transgress again. His decision to switch Trent Alexander-Arnold into a hybrid defensive/midfield role helped spark Liverpool’s recovery last term and was another example of the manager’s innovation.

Leading the shirt sales

The South American duo of Díaz and Núñez rank second and third on Liverpool’s shirt sales list respectively, with homegrown Alexander-Arnold in fourth, but Mohamed Salah remains the undisputed number one. The position mirrors his importance to Klopp’s attack.

Liverpool underwhelmed last season, and their forward line was in transition throughout, yet the Egypt international delivered 30 goals in all competitions. It was the fourth time in six seasons that Salah has reached the 30-goal mark and he is now level with Steven Gerrard in fifth place on Liverpool’s all-time list with 186 goals. On the evidence of the past six years he will surpass the Anfield legend on the opening day of the season.

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Folk hero

It is just over six years since Liverpool paid Hull £8m for the future Scotland captain Andy Robertson. It is fair to say they have been repaid handsomely by one of the finest full-backs in the game and a player whose attitude as well as ability suits Anfield perfectly. Robertson eclipsed Leighton Baines’s record for most Premier League assists by a defender last season, doing so in 189 fewer appearances than the former Everton left-back.

He was also awarded an MBE this summer for services to football, charity, and young people. His speed and awareness have assumed even greater importance to Liverpool following Alexander-Arnold’s shift forward.

 

Last season’s results

 

One to watch

Liverpool’s door is open for the 17-year-old Ben Doak, according to Klopp, and the young winger has the power and pace to burst right through. Doak has consistently impressed following his 2022 arrival from Celtic, where he was the second youngest debutant in the club’s history.

He scored 10 goals and produced almost as many assists at youth level last season and made his senior Liverpool debut against Derby in the Carabao Cup aged 16. A Premier League debut followed at Aston Villa on Boxing Day. The direct winger has also caught the eye in pre-season and could get more opportunities in the Europa League.