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Liverpool, with 5 European Cups, 3 UEFA Cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups, 18 League titles, 7 FA Cups, 8 League Cups and 15 FA Community Shields, is one of the most decorated clubs in the world. They have a rich history and a plethora of legends who have walked through the halls of Anfield. Despite all this, they last won the league title in 1989-90 when it was not even called the Premier League. Their last major trophy was the FA Cup in 2005-06.
After last year’s fourth place finish and Champions League final loss at the hands of Real Madrid, they have significantly strengthened their squad with several great signings. Yet, 2018-19 will not be the year they win their first league title.
Inexperience
Every title-winning squad, probably except for Leicester FC, are built on a core of proven winners. These are players who have already gone out there and won titles and cups and know what it takes to cross the finish line. Liverpool just don’t have enough of that. Jordan Henderson is a good player. He covers ground, does the legwork but he is not a winner. You look at the team sheet and look at the players one-by-one and you don’t see any proven winners.
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Mo Salah has won one Swiss Super League with Basel in 2012-13. Alisson, Firmino, Sadio Mane, Dejan Lovren, Naby Keita, Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk haven’t won any major titles. Only players to have won titles are Sturridge, Shaqiri and Milner. Shaqiri was on the bench most of the time during the two Bundesliga title wins and Champions League win.
Milner is the only player to have won major titles while playing an important role, but he is 32 years old and isn’t expected to feature much the coming season. It also remains to be seen how quickly the new recruits will manage to adapt to the rigors and physicality of English football.
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp is the modern manager. He does everything right with his over the top enthusiasm, support for the players and dynamic style of play. He follows a high tempo, high press style of play which is a delight to watch especially with the right players. He had that last season with a front three of Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane who wrecked defences. Yet, his win ratio at Liverpool is 52.3 per cent with 81 wins in 155 matches.
With Liverpool, he has lost a Europa League final, a Champions League final and a Football League Cup final which is worrying for Liverpool. He also lost the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund and was mocked for his bad luck in cup finals. In the last few seasons, though Liverpool played some great football, they drew one too many matches. He has 44 draws at Liverpool and draws against smaller teams will not win you the league.
Defensive Frailties
Liverpool has arguably the best forward line in the Premier League and they score tons of goals, but they ship as many at the back. With the addition of Alisson, Klopp has not only made a statement signing, but he has also addressed one weakness that has plagued Liverpool since Pepe Reina’s departure. Yet, Alisson has had one great season at Roma and the pressure on him will be immense to justify the £ 66.8m that Liverpool has splashed on him.
At right back, Trent Alexander-Arnold performed admirably last season but it remains to be seen if he can sustain his form. Dejan Lovren, after his World Cup exploits, could continue his rich vein of form, but his record is dodgy, with error-strewn performances.
Virgil van Dijk is the one bright spot in the defence, but Liverpool will need to sign a solid defensive partner for him. Alberto Moreno may not be at the club next season after his disastrous performances for the club and Liverpool will need another left back as well.
Mohamed Salah
Signed from Roma, the expectations on Mo Salah weren’t immense but he exceeded all of them in 2017-18. PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Player of the Year, Premier League's record goal scorer in a 38-game season with 32 goals, and Premier League Golden Boot winner, Salah had an excellent season, scoring 44 goals in all competitions.
In the 20th minute of the Champions League final, however, he suffered a shoulder injury after a tussle with Sergio Ramos which ruled him out till the last group stage game of the World Cup. It remains to be seen if he can replicate his form in the coming season, and he faces an arduous task after coming back from injury.
