Liverpool: Every opening-day fixture of the last decade

THE ROAD AHEAD

2018 Liverpool v West Ham

Consistency Will Be Key For Jurgen Klopp As He Looks To Deliver At Liverpool

Liverpool used to take two steps forward and three steps backwards. Rising to second in the table used to be marked with mid-table collapses in the consecutive seasons. It is not a wonder that the seven years before Klopp saw Liverpool's average position as 5.4 in spite of two second-placed finishes in 2008/09 and 2013/14.

It doesn't take a genius to see that Liverpool have gradually rebuilt under the charismatic German coach. 3 final appearances notwithstanding, Klopp has taken the Merseyside team from a tumultuous phase marked with dramatic accomplishments and drastic downfalls to an area of stability with an average position of 4 in the last 2 seasons.

They had to let go of Coutinho when Barcelona came calling but Liverpool have their offence intact otherwise. They have also built their defence with the acquisitions of van Dijk from Southampton for an astounding £75m. And this summer Klopp showed his intent by solidifying his midfield early on and then acquired Allison Becker for £67m - a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper from AS Roma.

Becker Has Already Impressed For Liverpool Against S.S.C Napoli - Pre Season Friendly, 2018

With Liverpool's attacking line capable of tearing apart any defence for some time now, all that Klopp needs is for the defence to come together and he has taken enough strides in that direction to ensure that.

Klopp has won the crowd at Anfield with his rock star persona on the sidelines but has wisened up to the age old saying of "goals win matches, defence wins you the title." He realizes that a rock-solid defence is required with the rock metal performances his sides put in upfront, best exemplified by the 4-3 win over eventual champions Manchester City last season.

West Ham awaits this Sunday in the first hurdle for their bid for the title. Managing to win it would be a first in twenty-nine years but Liverpool are in prime position to dethrone Pep's Manchester City have made the most upgrades over the summer - whether they can do it or not, remains to be seen.

Cautious Liverpool fans would prefer to stay pragmatic realizing that the new additions will take some time to gel but no one can be a better catalyst in team bonding than the generally amicable Klopp who along with his new additions in defence can charter a new future at the glorious Merseyside club.

In either case - the new season looks deliciously tempting for the Reds with the return of "Gegenpressing" coupled with a proper defence and the weekend couldn't come any sooner.

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To look at Manchester United's fortunes in their opening day fixtures over the last decade, click here.