Liverpool must avoid the cliche and make next season their season

Liverpool recently destroyed the league leaders Manchester City in the Champions League, and their squad shown real signs of promise for the future.

Jurgen Klopp is really beginning to set the tone at Liverpool, which is what was needed. After many years of inconsistency, next season may actually be theirs. This Liverpool analysis will run through the key areas which could determine how successful Liverpool’s future is.

Liverpool took on the seemingly indestructible Manchester City this week in the first leg of the Champions League tie. The game finished 3-0 to Liverpool, and many supporters, who were in full voice on the night, were emphatic with this result.

Not only did they get the job done, but they also shown many signs of promise. Their team play was exceptional, with every single player chipping in and doing their bit on the big stage.

Not only were the players phenomenal, but the crowd did their part in disrupting Manchester City’s play, and the result was clear. Pep Guardiola would have hammered his players before the match to expect plenty of atmosphere, but I don’t think even he would have expected them to keep it up for as long as they did.

The crowd can only do so much, though. It was all down to the players on the pitch to get the result, and get the result they did.

What struck me most about Liverpool’s play is how well-structured their midfield was. Particularly in the first half, the compact midfield was determined to meet every loose ball, whether it be on the ground or in the air. This was key to disrupting City’s linguistic play, as you can’t give their players time on the ball.

It’s important to remember that Liverpool will soon receive a huge upgrade to their midfield, with Naby Keita arriving next season. Not only will he help Liverpool from a defensive standpoint, but he will also get forward and supply an already fiery front three.

On the subject of the attack, Liverpool’s front three were simply phenomenal. They kept the chase throughout the ninety, and took their limited chances well. Would it really be a Liverpool analysis without the mention of Mohamed Salah? As always, he was the star of the show from an attacking sense, as he opened the scoring.

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However, Roberto Firmino’s tenacity was what awarded the Egyptian his goal. Firmino did an excellent job at being the link between midfield and attack, as well as getting back to give the defenders some comfort.

Liverpool are often slated for their defense, and I’ve never quite understood why that’s the case. Dejan Lovren suffered a poor spell at the beginning of the season, but last night he was a brick wall at the back. He partnered with new signing Virgil van Dijk well, to see off relentless City attacks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was seen as Liverpool’s weak link heading into the game, but he turned out to be their strongest link in this Liverpool analysis. He made Leroy Sane virtually invisible for the most-part, although the German did make his way into the Liverpool box a number of times.

If Liverpool can keep up this relentless attitude, particularly against the lower-half of the Premier League, then they will be a force to be reckoned with next season. We hear this all the time, but if they really want it, next season can be their season.

Jurgen Klopp is renowned for his ‘gegenpress’ style, which is essentially what we saw last night. He relies on recklessness in his attackers to pressurize the opposing defense and keep the chase for the full ninety, which is what we witnessed against Manchester City.

If they can snatch another result at the Etihad Stadium, this will put them into the semifinals of the Champions League, a competition which has served them well over the years. It will really build the foundation for what can be a successful season next time out, but they must avoid the cliche of falling before they reach the hurdle.

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Do you agree with this Liverpool analysis? I believe that if Liverpool can keep Mohamed Salah, then bringing in Naby Keita will make them serious contenders. That said, I know many will disagree, which is why I would love to hear your thoughts.