In his final season in the Liverpool dug out,Jurgen Klopp will hope to end his extraordinary reign on high. Last season was Liverpool’s worst since Klopp took over in October,2015. They won no major trophy and finished 5th in the Premiere League table,consequently missing out on Champions League qualification. As a result ,Jurgen Klopp realized that his time has come to an end and he should leave with his reputation still intact.
This season Liverpool are faring much better. They are competing toe to toe with Arsenal and Manchester City to win the second Premier League title under Klopp. The addition of Alexis Mac Allister,Dominic Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo to their ranks in last summer Transfer Window have bolstered the midfield. Midfield was the weakest area for Liverpool last season. The Likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were past their best. So they revitalized their midfield with three well established players.
No surprise that the team is playing way better than the last season. But In the last week or so,Jurgen Klopp team have crashed out of F.A Cup,Lost Europa League Quarter Finals first leg to Atalanta 3-0 and have dropped points at this crucial stage of the Premiere League. There is now a strong possibility that they may end up trophy-less this season too. To avoid such a fate,their main players have to step up.
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Here we will discuss three players who have been brilliant for them this season.
Mohammed Salah (Attacker, Liverpool)
Ever since his arrival at Liverpool in 2017, Mohammed Salah has been one of the best players in the Premiere League. Under the mentorship of one of the best managers in the world, Jurgen Klopp, Salah has taken his game to a whole new level. He has won everything at the club in his seven years,including club’s first Premiere League title in 30 years and a UEFA Champions League trophy as well.
The three times Premiere League golden boot winner’s importance to Liverpool cannot be overstated. His pace and trickery from the right wing causes havoc in the very best defenses in Europe. His record against Premiere League big six clubs is incredible. In 69 games against the big six,Salah has scored 40 goals and has provided 14 assists.
The Egyptian King also stood out In Liverpool’s quite underwhelming 22/23 season. He scored 30 goals and assisted further 16 in 51 games in all competitions for the club. Salah’s numbers are impressive this season too. He has played 37 times for the club so far,scoring 23 goals and assisting 13 more.
In these decisive last few weeks of the season, Liverpool need their talisman firing at all cylinders. Mohammed Salah is the main man at the club and fans expect him to be at the club even after the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
Virgil Van Dijk (CB,Liverpool)
After his first season with Liverpool, Klopp realized that the frail defense was the biggest obstacle in his team’s progress. So,In 2017 winter Transfer Window,Klopp acquired the Dutch giant defender, Virgil van Dijk ,from Southampton for whopping 75 million GBP. The colossal fee was then the world record for a defender. Many skeptics criticized the move because of the fee involved. But Van Dijk and fellow new signing Brazilian goalkeeper Allison immediately improved the side. Liverpool became one of the most formidable outfits in the world.
Van Dijk marshaled the back line expertly and soon Liverpool defense became the envy of the entire Europe. The extra insurance at the back freed up the attacking minded players and they started scoring goals for fun. As a result Liverpool played two back to back UEFA Champions League Finals in 2018 and 2019,lifting the trophy in the latter. The club also won its long coveted first Premiere League title in thirty years.
22/23 was the the worst season of Van Dijk’s Liverpool career. He was nowhere near his best and consequently his team suffered. This season the Dutchman is back to his best. He is bullying the best strikers in the for fun. His imperious form has resulted in better team performances collectively and Liverpool are once again a force to be reckoned with. In these last few weeks of the season,a fit and in form Van Dijk is a huge boost for his club.
Alexis Mac Allister (Midfielder,Liverpool)
Last summer Liverpool completely overhauled their faltering midfield. The long-serving midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were shown the door and in came Alexis Mac Allister,Dominic Szobozslai and Wataru Endu. The trio instantly improved the team. Alexis Mac Allister have made the biggest impact and is arguably Liverpool’s player of the season.
Mac Allister impressed everyone last season with his impressive performances for Brighton Hove Albion. Before that he played pivotal role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph in qatar two years ago. Liverpool paid just 35 million GBP for his services in a volatile transfer market last summer, where the likes of Enzo Fernandez,Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice all cost above 100 million each. Mac Allister has played most of this season as a defensive midfielder. While at Brighton he used to play as a 8 or 10. But the Argentinian have shone brightly in his new role. He stops opposition attacks with well-timed tackles and interceptions and starts Liverpool attack with his excellent range of passing.
In the last month or so,Klopp has reintegrated Wataru Endo into his starting eleven as a specialist defensive midfielder. As a result Mac Allister is playing further forward and influencing games with his attacking abilities. He is scoring worldies and creating chances for his team mates. In 39 appearances for his club so far,Mac Allister has scored 6 goals and provided 7 assists. These are impressive stats for a player who has played as a defensive midfielder for the most of the season. Mac Allister has become the lynch-pin of the team in a very short span. He will be the integral part of the team for many years to come.
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