5 Things that can ensure Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool a title win this season

Jurgen Klopp has had some valuable additions to his side in this summer transfer window and it has to be said that the squad they have is capable of doing massive things if guided the right way.

Liverpool did look strong last season while going forward, but they lacked the balance needed to go all the way. This season, with all the summer signings and injured players coming back, Liverpool have a redefined look about themselves.

Their 4-0 victory against West Ham United in their opening match of the 2018-19 season has given a strong message for the title contenders. Liverpool have the potential and the players to go all the way this season. Here's how they can make a successful bid to their title challenge.

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#5 Alisson’s performance

Alisson will play an important role for Liverpool this season

Alisson Becker was signed this summer from Roma for a whooping £65 million to make him the most expensive goalkeeper, till Chelsea broke that record and signed Arizzabalaga Kepa from Athletic Bilbao in this transfer window.

Alisson was very impressive last season with the Italian club Roma, giving strong performances both in the Serie A and the UEFA Champions League. It is those performances that helped him become Brazil’s #1 at the 2018 World Cup and start ahead of Ederson.

Jurgen Klopp faced a lot of struggle last season as silly goals were leaked, many courtesy mistakes by both Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius. Both the goalkeepers struggled with form and consistency and it can be said that had they done better, Liverpool might have challenged more strongly last season.

Nevertheless, the Merseyside club have Alisson Becker now and the Brazilian with the reputation he has, can help Liverpool secure wins and gain important points this season.

#4 Virgil Van Djik’s command at the back

Van Djik has to be Liverpool's commander at the back

Liverpool were in the hunt to sign Virgil Van Djik last summer, but things didn’t go well with them and Southampton and after a controversial end to the summer window, Van Djik was still left at Southampton.

Eventually, in the winter transfer window, Van Djik did sought a move to the Reds, making him the most expensive defender and it is safe to say that since then, Liverpool have looked way more stable at the back. The Dutch center-back has indeed brought some calmness and leadership at the back, something that the Reds definitely lacked.

Alongside World Cup star Dejan Lovren, Van Djik can form a formidable partnership and help Liverpool defend better than what they did last season. Liverpool conceded 38 goals last season, the most among the top four last season and if they are to win the title this season, they sure have to concede much less goals.

#3 Smart rotation of the squad

Liverpool can hugely benefit from their summer signings

Liverpool have done a fine job this summer in the transfer window bringing in the likes of Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri, Alisson Becker and they already have Naby Keita (signed last summer and loaned back to RB Leipzig). The new additions are quite impressive and they definitely will have to play a big part to play this season.

Last season, Klopp had very limited options to play with, especially at the back. However, this season he has some good options at his disposal. Liverpool don’t have anything to worry as far as their attacking options are considered and with Shaqiri signed and Sturridge back, it only gets better for them.

The addition of Fabinho and Keita offers strong depth in midfield and their defence too looks quite well equipped. They have to be careful using their center-backs as there are not much options available but it will only be a concern when the European games are around.

Klopp will have to smartly use his players especially in the second half of the season and make sure fatigue doesn't get the better out of his players. To ensure a title winning campaign, Liverpool will need their best players fit and fine for almost the entire season.

#4 Getting rid of dependency on Salah

Will Salah make the difference once again this season?

Mohamed Salah had a phenomenal season last year with 32 goals and 10 assists to his name in the last campaign. He was literally Liverpool’s go-to person whenever the club desperately needed someone to make a difference.

While that worked very well for Klopp, it did backfire when the Egyptian was not in the squad. The best example would be the final of the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid. Liverpool lacked the threat once Salah was subbed off due to a shoulder injury and it helped Madrid easily capitalize and win the trophy.

The trio of Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane is a dangerous one and while it is most effective when Salah scores, the other two will have to contribute significantly. Both Mane and Firmino too had a good campaign last season but Klopp will need more out of them as well as Shaqiri and Sturridge to make sure Salah doesn’t feel the pressure to make the difference every time.

Also, with Salah being a massive threat, most Premier League teams will focus on defending and containing him which should help other Liverpool players the opportunity to step up and shine.

#5 Better performances against the top six teams

Jurgen Klopp needs to get his tactics right against the Top Six this season

One of the key factors in winning the Premier League title is making sure you perform your best against the Top Six in the league. Last season, Liverpool lost five matches in total and drew 12 out of the 38 matches. Out of their 10 matches with the teams in the Top Six, Liverpool lost four and drew four of them.

They only managed to win twice, once against Arsenal and once against the Champions Manchester City. It has to be said that Liverpool’s performance against the Top six teams was one of the reasons why they couldn't quite challenge last season.

This has to get better for the Reds this season. Jurgen Klopp has always opted for an attacking style of play but sometimes it is necessary to have a cautious approach which has lacked in some of his Cup Finals and crucial games against the top sides.

Liverpool and Klopp need to smartly handle the matches when they face sides from the top six to make sure they don’t drop significant points. If Klopp and his men can beat the brutal Manchester City side of last season, they are capable of beating any team and they have to be totally focused on winning each of the games against the top six teams to give a strong fight for the Premier League title this season.