Originally Posted by
Insidious
At the end of a tough 22/23 season we lost some key names. A lot of experience departed, whilst new lads came in. It left Liverpool fans staring at the Horizon, unsure as to whether rich lands were just beyond the mists, or if we were to face a spell of drifting amongst tumultuous currents.
Fast-forward somewhat and we have 4 new midfielders in Szoboszlai, Endo, Gravenberch and Mac Allister and the attacking unit looking very different these days.
A lot of Reds will have felt that the goal this season was to get a side that has not really "clicked" yet to get back into the Champion's League. It's also fair to say that Arsenal are probably a season or two ahead of us in terms of the development of their "new-look" side and yet 18 League matches into a season, we find that very little separates us in terms of goals scored, goals conceded or points accrued.
Performances feel somewhat below our points tally, which provokes many shouts that we are over-achieving. In truth, it's hard to say exactly where we are and what this team is capable of. Right now, it feels like minor details (or indeed tournaments in Africa and Asia) could spell a worrying slip back into fighting for 4th - yet here we are - actively participating in a title race, for the time-being.
Injuries begin to stack up. Matip is out for the season which is devastating, but does mean that Konate and Quansah have been thrust into having further responsibility, albeit at different levels.
Stretched thin, we're now crossing fingers that the Diaz injury was just a "sore one" rather than anything serious and that Jota will be back as soon as possible to assist an attack that is out of sorts right now. It's also seeing arguably our most eyebrow-raising midfield acquisition Watara Endo putting in increasingly good displays.
In terms of midfield player availability, the enigma that is Thiago remains in the fog, whilst Bajcetic seemingly isn't going to be risked for some time. A return of Alexis Mac Allister would be most welcome, though a timescale on his return deep after a deep cut isn't perfectly clear.
The more we play, the more questions seem to arise. Salah doesn't look quite himself (we have been here before!) and yet is involved in about half of our League goals. Are we engaged in a title race a year too soon, or do we simply need to put that thought to one side and get on with what looks a reasonable chance while Man City still aren't at it?
In terms of contenders, it is worth noting that we have the Etihad trip out of the way - Arsenal don't.
At this stage of the season, with 20 games to go, I tend to divide the matches up into 4 mini-sets of 5 matches. Who is to say we can't be top after the next set of 5 and how encouraging would that be? Time will tell.
In Europe, we have comfortably topped our Europa League group and thanks to a change in format, are in the last-16 and thus don't have to sweat over a last-32 tie. Any complaints that the Europa is "a long slog" can go out the window as we won't actually have to play any more matches than we would if we were in the Champion's League - plus we remain one of the best sides left in the Tournament.
In the League Cup, we are two matches away from a Final - and just how big a bit of silverware could be for some of our newer lads is hard to put into words. I hope we can win it and it gives the squad the extra boost to find more in the well in future games.
At times I implore Reds everywhere to try and "simply enjoy it" as I felt this season - "Year One" of Klopp's new side, was something of a "free hit" in that my expectations were so small - but I know how hard that is when excitement about our potential is high and how heavily the weight lies upon our shoulders at a time when Man City aren't their best - that sense that we may not get this chance again.
So I won't bother tonight. I'll simply say that we are a solitary point off top, that we are in it until we aren't and that life is bigger than the football - so I very much hope everyone here has the chance to enjoy a few days with their loved ones and perhaps over-indulge a bit.
Wishing everyone all the best - Merry Christmas Reds and let's hope that there is plenty to come in the closing of this calendar year and throughout 2024.
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