5 Amazing Things Liverpool Have Done This Season

After several years of mediocrity, Premier League giants, Liverpool FC have finally reinstated their stand as one of the biggest teams in Europe. Since the beginning of the campaign, The Reds have been entertaining soccer fans with an amazing brand of football as well as incredible results. They are one of the stand-out teams across Europe's top 5 leagues this season.

They might have lost the English Premier League title to Manchester City, but their blistering performances have not gone unnoticed in the football world. The Anfield giants have pleased their fans in a lot of ways. They have already exceeded the expectations before them and are looking forward to even going further with their excellence.

Therefore, let us quickly take a look at 5 amazing things the club has done to satisfy their supporters in the campaign..

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#5 The Purchase Of Mohamed Salah

Salah's move has proved to be a real bargain.

Neymar might have dominated the headlines in the summer with his world record transfer to Paris Saint Germain, but it is Mohamed Salah who has been the signing of the season so far. The Egyptian has been going from strength to strength since he made a switch to the Anfield in the summer of 2017.

The winger has been a real force in the Liverpool squad this season. He has helped the English side to remain a strong team in the Premier League, helping them to retain their spot in the top-four race. He has also fired The Reds into the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after 10 years of waiting.

This season, the attacker has established himself as one of the best goalscorers in Europe. So far, he has bagged 29 goals and 9 assists in the Premier League, while in the Champions League, he has 8 goals and 2 assists to his name.

He is currently the top-scorer in the Premier League as well as leading the race for the European golden shoe. Besides, he has also been nominated for the PFA Player Of the Year award among other individual honors. What a signing Liverpool made!

All stats according to Whoscored.com

#4 Stopping Manchester City's unbeaten run

Liverpool ended Manchester City's 22-matches unbeaten run.

The first game Liverpool played against Manchester City this season was really disastrous. The Reds headed to the Etihad stadium with so many expectations after they had dispatched Arsenal in a 4-0 route at the Anfield. However, things did not favor them as they suffered a 5-0 humiliation in Manchester, with their superstar, Sadio Mane sent-off early in the game.

In the return leg at Liverpool, many people had written them off due to the fresh memories of their recent collapse against the Cityzens. However, The Reds shocked the whole world in a classic encounter. They defeated an in-form Manchester side which was yet to lose any game in the English top division. The match ended 4-3 in favor of Liverpool. That memorable triumph put an end to City's impressive 22-match unbeaten run.

That was a great way to avenge the humiliation they suffered in the first leg. It was a fantastic display from the Reds.

#3 Coping with Coutinho's departure

Coutinho joined Barcelona in the winter.

Brazillian superstar, Philippe Coutinho had been Liverpool's best player for the past few years. The midfielder was the heart of the team during his days at the club. However, Liverpool faced a very difficult situation when the player handed in a transfer request to secure a move to Barcelona. The influence of the player on the team did not allow the club owners, Fens Sporting Group to sell him for any price, rejecting two official bids from the Blaugrana during the summer.

However, despite their resistance, Liverpool lost the battle to keep Coutinho at the club. The Brazillian finally got his dream move to the Camp Nou during the winter, for a reported fee of £142million.

When the playmaker left, many Liverpool fans were afraid of the void he would leave behind in the team. However, how The Reds have managed to cope without the superstar is a pure masterclass. In fact, they haven't felt the departure of the Brazillian ever since he left the club. Instead, the team has been going stronger and stronger in the absence of their former No. 10.

They have improved their incredible form in the Premier League and have already made it to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, after beating fellow English club, Manchester City in both legs of their quarter-final encounter.

#2 The signing of Virgil Van Dijk

Van Dijk has improved Liverpool's defense since his signing.

There are so many decisions that Jurgen Klopp got right this season. Spending £75million on a world-class central-back is definitely one of them. The club signed Southampton defender, Virgil Van Dijk, during the winter transfer window. The Dutch was acquired in order to overcome the defensive weaknesses that plighted the team.

Before the arrival of the Dutchman, the worst thing about The Reds was probably their defensive unit. Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren looked adrift at times, while Ragnar Klavan was probably a bit over the hill to be effective every week. But since the arrival of the Colossus, things have started to get much better.

According to research done by the Al Under Pressure podcast, below is how the player improved the Liverpool backline after his first 10 games with the club:

The 26-year-old has the best aerial duel win rate in the competition with 76% and has helped the back four oversee between 20% – 50% reduction in a few other key areas.

For example, there has been a massive 50% less non-penalty goals conceded since Van Dijk arrived at the club. There has been 20% shots conceded during gameweeks 24-31, with 27% less headers conceded and a huge 43% less non-penalty big chances conceded.

In addition, the central-back has been rock-solid. He has displayed a kind of leadership and communication skill that clearly shows why Klopp spent such fee on him. Liverpool no longer concede many goals like they used to, and that is typical if you look at their Champions League clash with Manchester City.

#1 Their European Quest

The Reds have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League after 10 years.

During the early stages of the season, no one would expect Liverpool to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The likes of Paris Saint Germain, Manchester City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were all expected to go further than Jurgen Klopp's men.

But, The Reds have been far more impressive in the tournament than all the teams mentioned above. After 10 years of wandering, the Merseyside outfit is finally back in the semi-finals of the competition and they have done that in a beautiful fashion.

The Reds are currently the best attacking team in the competition. They have scored 33 goals in the championship, more than any other club this season. Besides, they are the only team with an impressive unbeaten record in the tournament.

The only English team left in the Champions League, Liverpool have gone far more than people's imaginations this season. With such fantastic performances, the sky is just the limit for Jurgen Klopp's men.

Author's Comment: I wish I were a Liverpool fan!