Do Liverpool have the squad to challenge for the title?
Do Liverpool have the squad to challenge for the Premier League title?
By Jack Lacey-Hatton
After such a difficult season last year, many pundits in the summer were doubting whether Liverpool could mount another title challenge under manager Jurgen Klopp.
Yet strong form in recent weeks has re-established their credentials, particularly with Mohammed Salah in unplayable form.
Whilst they might not quite be back to their sensational performance levels of the pandemic-interrupted 2019-20 season, the Reds seem to be improving week-by-week.
So, can that squad improve on last season and this time sustain a Premier League title challenge?
Goalkeepers and Defence
In goal Alisson remains a strong presence and is arguably one of the players now close to his title-winning performance levels from two years back.
Nearly every other club would swap their goalkeeper to bring him in. Few would question his ability to be part of a championship-winning team.
The defence struggled last year, particularly with the long-term injury sustained by Virgil van Dijk. Although the talismanic centre-half isn’t quite back to his best form, he is hardly a passenger either.
Joel Matip continues to quietly be one of the best defenders in the league, while the signing of Ibrahima Konaté has bolstered Klopp’s options significantly.
His arrival means it could be argued the depth in defence is actually greater than it was when they won the title.
Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold have continued to operate superbly in Klopp’s system, with the Liverpudlian right-back getting close to his best form again after a dip last season.
Midfield and Attackers
The midfield area of the pitch is where the Merseyside club may struggle to match Chelsea and Manchester City.
But captain Jordan Henderson continues to have the air of a man desperate to regain the league title, as well as driving his teammates to push for more.
Depth has been tested in recent weeks with injury problems cropping up for Naby Keita, Thiago and Fabinho.
Yet they still have strong options to come in, James Milner was excellent in the 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United, while having someone of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s quality sat on the bench is a luxury most clubs can only dream of.
If Oxlade-Chamberlain can show his worth in the coming weeks, he will be a great example of the squad having the depth required to sustain a title challenge.
Up-front there are no problems. Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino remain the best front three in the Premier League and have the firepower required to bring the title back to Anfield.
If anything, the forward area of the team is actually stronger than it was back in 2019-20. Since then Diogo Jota has joined and become a good option for the manager to bring in.
Divock Origi also plays an important role when any of the big hitters are missing.
Verdict
Manchester City and Chelsea clearly both have strong squads this year and it would be a surprise if either gave up on their own title challenge easily.
But this should not mean Liverpool’s squad should be underestimated.
From back to front it still has all the quality you need to win the Premier League.
Even with recent injuries, the team are still picking up points and look to be growing stronger by the week.
The XI selected by Klopp at Old Trafford wasn’t first choice but they managed to dismantle their biggest rivals with relative ease.
Only a fool would believe this squad doesn’t have what it takes to go the distance once again with a strong challenge, and maybe lift the trophy come May, this time in front of a capacity crowd.
Even without January transfer additions, this group have got what it takes.
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