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Liverpool had a difficult 2020-21 Premier League season as they rallied late in the campaign to finish in the top four.
The Reds were beset with injuries and used more than 15 defensive parings at the back. Their usually prolific front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah weren’t at their best either.
Liverpool have not done too much business this summer, as they have only added Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. However, Harvey Elliot’s return from his loan spell will feel like a new signing and offer a boost. The teenager has done well in pre-season so far, and could play an important role for Liverpool next season.
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Several other players will be key for Liverpool next campaign as the Reds look to challenge Manchester City and Manchester United for the title after a tough 2020-21 season.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at five players who will be key for Liverpool next season.
#5 Trent Alexander-Arnold
The full-back remains a key cog in the Liverpool team. Perhaps the most creative right-back in the Premier League right now, the 22-year-old has mustered 32 assists in the last three seasons combined, which is up there with the best midfielders.
Alexander-Arnold came under criticism at the beginning of the year when Liverpool tumbled down the table, but he finished the season strong.
The club have put a lot of faith in him and have secured his future with a new long-term contract, so he will want to repay some of that trust next season.
Having also missed out on featuring at Euro 2020 earlier this summer, Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s pre-season camp earlier than most other players. This means that the full-back is ahead of the rest of the players in terms of physical conditioning, and could find his rhythm sooner.
#4 Roberto Firmino
Regardless of how many goals he scores, Roberto Firmino will always be an important player in the Liverpool attack.
Firmino’s ability to stitch up play in the final third by acting as a false nine allows the duo of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to get into good goal-scoring positions.
When the Brazilian is on song, he is a tough player to mark owing to his style of play. He often drops into spaces that neither defenders nor defensive midfielders operate in. Last season, Firmino managed nine goals and seven assists in the Premier League and will hope to improve those numbers this season.
#3 Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker had his toughest season at Anfield last campaign, but can you really the blame him? The shot-stopper lost his father to a freak accident and wasn’t allowed to see him owing to the COVID-19 restrictions.
A patchy run of form followed around January and February, but he bounced back in some style. His performances in goal improved, but perhaps the standout moment was his headed goal against West Bromwich Albion to win his side the game.
Like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson too has signed a new deal and will hope for a more consistent 2021-22 season.
#2 Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is back in training and has featured in the last two pre-season games for Liverpool. The Dutchman still has some way to go before he finds his old form though.
Right now, Jürgen Klopp will be happy to just have him back as the Dutchman’s presence in the team makes them so much better as a unit. Despite injuries at the back last season, Liverpool’s defensive performances were still impressive. However, in van Dijk’s absence, they lost a key instigator of play at the back.
Van Dijk’s passing and distribution from the back is often a weapon for Liverpool as he has the ability to release Salah and Mane with his diagonal balls.
Liverpool will need his presence on the pitch as their rivals have strengthened their squads. To challenge for the title, Liverpool will need a fully fit van Dijk from the beginning until the end.
#1 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool’s top scorer in each of the last four seasons despite playing as an inside forward.
The Egyptian joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, and has managed to score an incredible 125 goals in just 203 games for the Reds.
Salah was perhaps the main reason why Liverpool finished in the top four last season as he was the only attacking player who didn’t have an indifferent run of form.
The 29-year old is showing no signs of slowing down and will be hungry to score goals again next season and lead Liverpool’s title charge.
