Liverpool has one of the most electric attacks in all of England, and expect to see a lot of the same this season from the fab three with the addition of Xherdan Shaqiri on the flank.
The Reds begin their season this weekend as they take on West Ham at Anfield on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp’s side comes into this season with high confidence after finishing in the top four last season and reaching the Champions League final thanks to 30 goals combined between Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino in European competition.
With Xherdan Shaqiri now in a Liverpool uniform as well, it should be a very exciting season for Liverpool fans as they should be a serious contender to win the league.
The front line
Liverpool has one of the most impressive attacks in the world right now. The camaraderie and goal-scoring ability of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino have been spectacular. Salah had a season for the ages last year, scoring 43 goals in all competitions. The trio combined 57 of Liverpool’s 84 Premier League goals last season, with Salah leading the way with 32, while Mane had 10 and Firmino had 15.
These three are so deadly because they are such a threat on the transition. So many of their goals come from plays where they intercept balls in their own half and surge down the pitch. All three of them have great chemistry with one another and always know the right place to put the ball. Firmino plays a vital role because time and time again he retreats into his own half and wins the ball back in midfield, then links up with the other two to create havoc on the attack.
Salah is the pure finisher, showing last season that he can score from anywhere on the pitch, whether it’s a strike from outside the box or going through an opposing defense all on his own. Mane is extremely fast and strong on the ball, showing the skill and playmaking ability to set up his companions up front. Firmino is a natural scorer but can also thread a pass through an opposing back line to find his teammates on the attack, evident by his 21 assists in a Liverpool uniform.
Service in the midfield will help
The Reds have several new additions in the midfield that will provide some great service to the forwards. Xherdan Shaqiri comes over from Stoke City. He’s been in impressive form in the preseason and is always a threat on the right flank, providing scoring and playmaking ability. There are doubts he’ll start right away, but he will definitely be an addition that will play his part this year. Jordan Henderson will patrol the center of the field after coming off a fourth-place finish with England in the World Cup. He’s very connected with his strikers after playing with them for quite some time now, so expect him to service them on a consistent basis.
Newcomer Fabinho is another addition to the Reds midfield, bringing a very high football IQ and versatility to play several positions. The Brazilian can play as a defensive midfielder, or even on the back line if Klopp needs it. He’s outstanding at moving the ball into space and will definitely be a player who can find his strikers up top when possible.
The Reds have three players who will compete for a spot in the starting XI in the central midfield with Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, and Fabinho. Having this many talented options in the midfield is a great thing for Jurgen Klopp because it really shows how talented this club is with their new additions right on the heels of Henderson for a spot in the starting lineup. It will make all of them work extremely hard to see playing time.
Can Liverpool contend?
Last season, a lot of the Reds goals came from the three up front creating chances on their own. With these new additions in the midfield who are proven playmakers, it could really help Liverpool score even more this season.
Their midfield and front-line appear to be in top form, so if Virgil Van Dijk can hold down the fort on the back line like he did at times last season, the Reds should have a legitimate chance of competing for a Premier League title this year.