5 Liverpool players who could surprise you this season

There is an air of positivity around Liverpool these days. The Merseyside giants have finally made it back to Europe’s premier competition – The Champions League and fans are optimistic about Liverpool’s performances in the 2017/18 season.

Jurgen Klopp in his first press conference as Liverpool manager said:

“It’s important that we play our own game. It’s important that the player feels the difference from now on. We have to change from doubter to believer. We have to change something and then see what we can achieve.”

It is this belief which has seen the Reds play some glorious football last season and it is this belief which has empowered players like Ben Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold to have a positive impact on the game. While the like of Coutinho, Mane and Salah are always expected to deliver and perform at a high level, in this article, we take a look at 5 unexpected players from the Liverpool squad who could surprise you with their performances this season:

#5 Dominic Solanke

Liverpool surprised many people when they went for out of contract Chelsea youngster Dominic Solanke. While some critics lauded the move, most of the pundits doubted what Solanke would bring to the table at Anfield. However, after a stunning FIFA U-20 tournament where he guided England to the title and won the Golden Ball for his efforts, fans are starting to see why Jurgen Klopp invested his faith in the young Englishman.

Still only 19, but already very impressive physically, Solanke is a versatile forward who is known for his work rate ( A perfect Jurgen Klopp type of player). Many people might have been expecting Solanke to play for the reserves or Under-21s, but Jurgen Klopp did not rule out giving the talented youngster a run in the first team:

"Obviously he is a young lad and it is a long-term project. I saw a few wonderful signs [last night] and I think everyone in England watched the Under-20 championship - that was fantastic football.

"It is about him and the situation but I will not avoid his development. In the moment when he is strong enough he is there. He will train with us, of course, as often as it makes sense and often as possible and then we will see."

Keep your eye on him Liverpool fans, Solanke might just come up with a few vital contributions and surprise everyone with his performances this season.

#4 Loris Karius

The goalkeeper situation at Liverpool has been discussed endlessly and before you jump on me for putting Karius on this list, you have to remember the fact that the former Mainz player was voted as the second best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga for the 2015/16 season. The young German shot-stopper really showed his class that season where he started all the games, kept 9 clean sheets and even saved 2 penalties.

Karius was tipped to become Liverpool’s starting goalkeeper in the 2016/17 season, but a nasty injury to the hand in pre-season saw him lose his spot to Mignolet. Although Klopp gave him a chance once he was fit, the German shot-stopper looked nervous and was eased out of the squad after a couple of high-profile errors.

However, Klopp regards Karius highly and is confident that his countryman can put the difficult start behind him and establish himself as Liverpool’s “number 1” for a long time to come. A strong pre-season performance will be crucial for Karius and we might just see why Klopp regards Karius so highly if the 24-year-old shot-stopper regains his confidence.

#3 Trent Alexander-Arnold

Amidst all the hype surrounding Ben Woodburn, the one who is most poised to have a lasting impact on the club from the academy is Liverpool’s very own Trent Alexander-Arnold. A versatile player capable of playing both as a right-back and a defensive midfielder, Alexander-Arnold has impressed whenever he has got the chance and has been earmarked for greatness by the Liverpool coaching staff.

Still only 18, TAA has already made 12 senior appearances for the Liverpool side with his performance against Manchester United especially lauded by fans and pundits all across the world. Having recently signed a long-term contract with his childhood club, Alexander-Arnold could and most probably will get more opportunities in the first team this season.

When you are tipped by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as someone special, you know that you are meant to achieve great things and this season, we might just see the talented 18-year old Liverpool youngster really announce himself to the world with his consistent and eye-catching performances.

#2 Daniel Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge's quality has never been in doubt. When he is fit, Sturridge is quite easily one of the best strikers in the Premier League. Having been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield in the last few months, it looks like Sturridge’s future lies at Liverpool after Klopp announced his intentions of keeping the talented 27-year-old for the 2017/18 season.

While Sturridge’s injury concerns have been very frustrating, when he is fit, he brings to the team a certain unpredictability and a penchant for scoring crucial goals which Klopp will not like to lose. In fact, Sturridge’s importance to the team can be seen by his performances in the last two Premier League games of the 2016/17 season where he scored a goal against West Ham and continuously torment the defenders against Middlesbrough.

Sturridge is undoubtedly the best striker in the squad at the moment and his movement and runs can be used to devastating effect (Liverpool fans will remember fondly Leicester City’s demolition at Anfield when Sturridge started last season).

If the Englishman remains fit, we might just be seeing a lot of the “Sturridge wave Dance” this season.

#1 Marko Grujic

Marko Grujic was wanted by all the top clubs across Europe like Inter Milan, Juventus, Chelsea and AC Milan, but a call from Jurgen Klopp made him choose Liverpool. The 21-year-old who is already a full Serbian international showed glimpses of why he is so highly rated in Liverpool’s pre-season friendly over Tranmere Rovers. The towering midfielder absolutely bossed the game at the centre of the park and capped off his fine display with a stunning goal as well.

One of the most talented young players in world football at the moment, Grujic, unfortunately, suffered a serious injury last season which kept him on the periphery for most of the time. However, the lanky Serbian has made a good recovery and his physical prowess will definitely prove useful to Jurgen Klopp this season.

With the added matches in the Champions League, Liverpool, hopefully for their fans, will be taking part in a lot of matches and Grujic should get the opportunity to prove himself this season. The Serbian himself is confident of making a mark this season. Speaking to reporters, Grujic said:

"I worked a lot to be back and then I felt really good -- my body and everything. I can say it was a good year for me personally because I developed really good and I prepared for my second season, which should be much better compared to the first one.

"From my point of view, I am now much better than when I came to Liverpool -- physically and in football terms as well. I will try to show it as soon possible in the next few games and to show all the members of staff that I am ready to be in the squad and I can help the team achieve a few nice things."

Marko Grujic is set to have a career defining 2017/18 season.