If a lion eats a human, it is protocol to kill them, as they have an unwavering & irreversible taste for human flesh. Manchester City attempted to throw the first spear at this Liverpool side in a thrilling Community Shield. However, despite defeat on penalties, Liverpool’s second half surge will have sent a message; this side’s first major trophy is merely the beginning. They remain unsatisfied & ravenous in their quest for more.

While most of the country prepares for the inevitability of sky blue ribbons adorning the Premier League trophy once more, the European Champions and their fans are readily anticipating another tightly run race.

Klopp’s critics have pointed to both the strengthening of rivals, and City’s squad depth, as two arguments that the Reds will falter this season. However, there’s a method to this falsely diagnosed madness. This same squad finished with 97 points in their first season together in a year initially intended for camaraderie building & fine-tuning. Their processes are now watertight. As such, it’s worthwhile identifying the three key reasons that Liverpool fans are quietly optimistic that a title drought won’t enter a third decade:

Salah

Salah has returned from African Cup of Nations heartbreak with a surge of fire in his belly. Following their freak defeat to South Africa, the knavish Egyptian winger’s pain was evident for all to see. They were no crocodile tears, and the Anfield faithful beg for that anger to be channelled into his masterful left boot. If Salah reacts to this hurt in the same way he did following the previous AFCON, then they’re in luck.

When he arrived back in Europe in 2017, shortly after losing in the final, he swiftly scored 7 goals in 2 months for Roma before earning his Melwood move. The rest is history and he went on to comfortably beat the Premier League 38-game goalscoring record with an array of astonishing finishes; 32 in 36.

Last season was slightly less fruitful, and this can be owed to his lacklustre shot:goal ratio; landing at 16.1%, compared to 22.3% from the previous season. In fact, that ratio is considerably lower than any other season of his professional career. Despite no player scoring more goals than him last season, he’ll know that golden boot should have been solely his, and he’ll rectify that this season.

His 7 chances in the Community Shield substantiate the argument that he’ll form opportunities, and once he finds his radar, very few defences can stop him from executing them.

The midfield

Fabinho demonstrated his prowess as both a destroyer, and deep lying playmaker last year (note the deft elegance of the chip to Mane against United), and he’ll likely be Klopp’s go-to holding midfielder for the season’s entirety. This leaves two spaces alongside him.

Wijnaldum was exceptional against Barcelona, and their sixth European cup could be owed in large part to that history altering cameo, but it could be argued he’ll be 4 th choice for the number 8 role this year, behind Henderson, Keita, & Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Henderson’s form at the backend of last season can’t be overlooked – a return to the #8 position has suited his pressing ability that he owes to his extreme fitness. Couple that with an immaculate eye for an over-the-top ball, and we could see him match the sort of numbers he produced in a much weaker 2014/15 side (6 goals, 9 assists).

However, while Henderson provides finesse & steeliness, there’s still a sense that he’s the safer choice of the mentioned quartet, particularly when Liverpool look to unlock the dogged, backs-to-the-wall defences that were commonplace last campaign. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s directness will be a necessity – even if from the bench – and the space that Firmino and co will generate for him in the middle, will lead to multiple marauding runs & subsequent goal contributions.

The most exciting midfielder of the four is undoubtedly Naby Keita. It didn’t quite happen for the Guinean last season, as a blend of injuries & few starting berths led to his performances lacking fluidity & guile. Yet the double-nutmeg against Bournemouth, a few late season goals, and a fascinating display in the Community Shield indicate he could be ready to hit top gear. If he does, we could be looking at a player of the year contender, and the player many Liverpool fans were promised when he attracted interest from Barcelona & other European giants. The fact that Klopp decided against entering the market for a creative midfielder, leads one to believe he’s expecting an upturn in fortune for the 24-year-old.

Taking the above into consideration, a midfield trio of Fabinho-Henderson-Keita will likely be the preferred choice once the season settles, with Wijnaldum & Oxlade-Chamberlain injecting game-winning impetus off the bench. Milner of course will also be required when the middle requires resilience, composure & fitness. The latter strength was again exemplified in his winning of the pre-season lactate test, despite being the most senior outfield player.

The back five

Matip had a sensational second half to the season, but I don’t buy in to the opinion that he’ll be Van Dijk’s chosen partner. Let us not forget that until Gomez’s injury, this back 5 had conceded a mere 7 goals in 16 appearances and were well on-course for the best defensive record in Premier League history.

Virgil Van Dijk is tipped to continue his imperious form and enters the season as favourite to retain his Player of the Year trophy – and to be quite frank, the £75m fee paid for the Dutchman a mere 18 months ago, could easily go down as the most shrewd piece of business in Liverpool history. Particularly when you see the sums being paid for vastly inferior players (note the absurd fee for Harry Maguire). This season will be another stride in his venture for legendary status.

Liverpool are also widely considered to hold host to the two best fullbacks in the league; a pair with 23 assists between them over 2018/19. The difficulty for opposing teams is that if they target these two players, then a gaping hole will be left for the front three to expose, which is simply unendurable. Therefore, you’d fully expect Alexander-Arnold and Robertson to continue in the same vein, with one of them taking Hazard’s crown as the King of Assists. The smart money would be on Trent, as the 20-year-old seeks to establish himself as the best right back in the world – if this maturity were mirrored by all England youngsters, then a World Cup is surely a matter of when.

Finally, add a Balon d’Or contesting goalkeeper into the fray, and the backline is complete. As if Alisson’s pedigree wasn’t already at an all-time high after his Champions League & Premier League golden glove double, the Brazilian put in an unrivalled display at the Copa America to take home his third golden glove in less than 2 months. Last season was the first in 10 years where a Liverpool goalkeeper looked resolute, and with the current incumbent arguably the best in the world, he’s unlikely to stutter.

Final word

Whether this side has what it takes to topple the State that is Manchester City, Liverpool’s burdensome ‘second place curse’ – the notion that after finishing second they soon slip away – will soon be lifted. It will once again go down to the wire, and if you’re a romanticist, then you’d be wise to get behind the red half of Merseyside and their quest for a 19th English league title.

The defence is robust, the front three are awe-inspiring, and if the midfield step up a notch in terms of creativity, then their counterparts across the M60 will no longer be looking over their shoulder, and rather gazing up at the towering Reds, and all 6 ft 4 inches of Jurgen Klopp.