The difference is staggering.
Liverpool endured a nightmare season last year, but in a quick turnaround, they have managed to make massive improvements, and there are 14 reasons why.
Liverpool went from almost winning the quadruple in 2022, to not even qualifying for the Champions League the following year, so many assumed they wouldn’t be much of a threat this season.
However, if the drop-off was that rapid then the growth can be as well, and after a brilliant start to the season, things are looking up.
14 reasons why Liverpool have improved
1. Midfield signings
The signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Waturo Endo have completely rejuvenated Liverpool’s midfield.
Last season veterans such as Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Oxlade Chamberlain all looked very leggy, tired and out of gas.
Now they have pace, power, and bundles of talent, with Szoboszlai in particular proving to be one of the signings of the summer.
2. Darwin Nunez finds his feet
Even the most staunch Nunez-hater could see that the boy has frightening pace, power and strength, but he seemed to lack that delicate touch or composure that is so central to being a successful striker.
Despite playing limited game time with Jurgen Klopp continuously rotating his front three, the Uruguayan has bagged three goals and two assists in the opening six games.
3. Luis Diaz is back from injury
Diaz missed the majority of last season after picking up a horrific knee injury against Arsenal, and with three goals already to his name, it’s easy to see why he left such a gap last year.
His directness is enough to give any defender nightmares as he loves to take players on and force things to happen, meaning he’s a constant source of worry for the opposition.
4. Using Trent Alexander Arnold in a ‘box midfield’
At half time against Arsenal last April, Liverpool were 2-0 down and Alexander Arnold was enduring his most frustrating season yet in a Reds jersey
Klopp changed the formation for the second half, playing the right back as an inverted midfielder, and so Trent drifted into a central position whenever his team had possession, and it paid off instantly.
The Englishman was crucial to Liverpool pulling two goals back and sealing a draw, whilst getting an incredible assist in the process. Since that match, he has been playing brilliantly, got his way back into the England team, and Liverpool haven’t lost a Premier League match.
5. Joe Gomez
With Alexander Arnold out injured for several games, Klopp persisted with the ‘box midfield’ playing Gomez in that position, despite concerns that he doesn’t have the same passing range or ability as the man he was filling in for.
Although this may be true, he has been solid since coming in, playing the majority of games this year, and you could argue he is actually defensively more sound that Trent. His resurgence of form has been a major boost for the club.
6. Curtis Jones
Last year when Liverpool struggled in midfield, Jones was out with a nasty injury, but quietly came back into the team in April, and has played a facilitator role since then, and not losing a single game with him in this role.
His job is very similar to what Gini Wijnaldum used to do for Klopp. Despite having the ability to get goals, assists, and dribble past players, as he proved for Newcastle and Holland, when he was in a Liverpool shirt, his job was about doing the work that allowed other players to flourish – something that Jones is currently doing.
7. Diogo Jota
Again, another player who missed a huge portion of last year’s campaign, and has reminded everyone why he is worth his weight in gold.
Despite being primarily used as a substitute, the Portugal international has racked up three goals already and is a serious weapon to launch from the bench, something that the team lacked last season.
8. Andy Robertson adjusting to new formation
Known primarily for his ability to bomb forward, the new formation which allows Alexander Arnold to flourish, almost shackled Robertson last year.
However, he appears to have found his feet and even bagged a vital goal away at Wolves late in the game.
9. Leaders
Virgil van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Endo, and Mo Salah, are all captains of their respective countries, so this team is not lacking in leaders.
10. Europa League
It certainly isn’t where Liverpool want to be, and eventually it will become a strain on squad resources, but unlike when they were in the Champions League, Klopp can risk playing second string teams in the group stages, giving other players opportunities to shine and compete for places.
Even Caoimhin Kelleher is getting game time in the competition which was obviously a factor in persuading him to stay at the club.
This freedom to rotate and experiment is great for morale, but also allows the manager to protect his key men and rest them.
11. Blooding young talent
Jones has already been mentioned, but Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic and Jarell Quansah are all getting meaningful game time, and actually having an impact on the games they are playing.
Quansah was brought into the team when the starting central defenders were injured and suspended, and despite only being 20 and thrust in for a PL debut, he was brilliant. This means Liverpool are able to strengthen their depth and build for the future.
12. Mo Salah staying after summer transfer chaos
Salah deciding to stay despite Saudi Arabia coming in with crazy money, has given him and the team a real boost to kick the season off with.
It showed that even without Champions League football, their biggest star still didn’t leave, and his form since the summer has been incredible, getting either a goal, assist or both, in every PL game so far.
13. Breaking ‘early kick-off hoodoo’
When the first one came up this season against Wolves, and they went 1-0 down, it did the team the world of good to pull it back, win 3-1, and break that hoodoo once and for all.
When the first one came up this season against wolves, and they went 1-0 down, it did the team the world of good to pull it back, win 3-1, and break that hoodoo once and for all.
14. Away form
In the 2022/23 season, Liverpool struggled massively away from home, losing to teams who were bottom of the table, and often failing to even find the back of the net.
So far this year they have played three away games, drawing one and winning the other two, allowing them to build momentum and a bedrock of confidence for whenever they leave Anfield.
Related links:
- Caoimhin Kelleher saves Liverpool from embarrassing Europa League defeat
- Former Liverpool team-mate doesn’t buy Jordan Henderson’s excuse for leaving club
- Ryan Gravenberch: The pros and cons of Liverpool’s new signing
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