Analysing the Top Six Teams and Their Aspirations for the New Season

#4 Liverpool

Liverpool have certainly strengthened themselves

Last season: 4th

Transfer activity:

Ins:

Alisson Becker (£55.57m)

Fabinho (£40m)

Naby Keita (£53.3m)

Xerdan Shaqiri (£13m)

Outs:

Most notable: Emre Can

Pre-season preparation:

7th July, beat Chester 7-0

10th July, beat Tranmere Rovers 3-2

14th July, drew against Bury 0-0

19th July, beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0

22nd July, lost to Borussia Dortmund 3-1

26th July, beat Man City 2-1

28th July, beat Man United 4-1

4th August, play Napoli

7th August, play Torino

Liverpool impressed last season when they went all the way to the UEFA Champions League final where they lost to Real Madrid. In the league, they were not as impressive as they lost needless points, especially to the so-called small teams.

That was because Jurgen Klopp failed to find a solution to the teams who set up to frustrate them by playing behind the ball. Perhaps, the German also didn't have the players endowed with the tactical accomplishment to manage and close out games, with many runners, but with no one to retain possession a little longer.

The signings Klopp has made this summer look to have solved that problem, especially that of Fabinho, who will be able to control the tempo of the game, keep possession, know when to move the ball forward, when to pass and when not to.

He, along with Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson, could form a fearsome three that might just cure Liverpool's woes. A good goalkeeper earns the team between 15-20 points, and as we saw in this year's Champions League final, the man between the sticks can make or break a team.

In Alisson, Liverpool have themselves a great goalkeeper who will decide a few games with a piece of wonderful goalkeeping. No doubt, Liverpool have had a fruitful window.

In terms of their preseason, the Reds have had a great preparation. They've played more games than any of their rivals and produced some eye-catching performances which will put them in good stead going into the new season.

If Jurgen Klopp finds a way to beat the small teams, Liverpool could have a very big say in where the title will end up in May next year.