'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The previous season for Liverpool was a culmination of a lot of hard work from Jürgen Klopp and his players. The journey they have had in the past four years all led to the perfect storm. The Reds earned 97 points in the Premier League, the third-highest total in the league's history, but finished second to an unbelievably good Manchester City side.
Despite the disappointment in the league, Liverpool went on beat Tottenham 2-0 to win the Champions League, effectively writing the next chapter in the history books. But there is still much more to come for this team.
Liverpool is in the best shape possible, both on the pitch and off it. The players are yet to enter their prime and the bond is getting stronger and stronger. But there are still things that need to be done to have an even better season than the last one. Here are four things the Reds could do to make that possible.
#4 Bring in additional depth
Liverpool is the most settled team in Europe, with most of the squad already accounted for. The past few years have seen Jürgen Klopp mold the Reds team into his own, with his choice of players. Now, Liverpool are a proper juggernaut in England and in Europe, a well-oiled footballing machine if you will.
Their only signing so far has been 17-year-old centre-back Sepp van den Berg, with the arrival of 16-year-old Harvey Elliott from Fulham looking extremely likely. However, a couple of positions may require some fine-tuning, to help the overall depth of the squad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are two of the best full-backs in the world, but Klopp will need proper cover for them, especially with the possibly increased number of games to be played this season.
The attacking department may also require another option following Daniel Sturridge's departure, but the promising Rhian Brewster looks set to receive his opportunity in the first-team. This pre-season could be a big one for various young Reds.
#3 Have a go in the cups
One of the few negatives of Liverpool's 2018-19 was their non-action in the domestic cups, but could you really call it a negative? The Reds did not have the required depth at the time of asking for the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, with other competitions taking priority.
This season, Liverpool look to have as strong a second team as any. Both Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri started in the 4-0 semi-final victory over Barcelona so hopefully, they can kick it on and help the Reds progress in the cups.
Ever since his first full season at Anfield, Jürgen Klopp has not paid much attention to the cups. He would usually play the second string side, with some youngsters at all and most times, Liverpool crashed out early.
In fact, ever since the start of 2017, the Reds have only won two domestic cup games, with one of them being a replay against Plymouth. Maybe the German will have a bit more of a go in the cups with a strengthened squad. But then again, Liverpool has the Community Shield, Super Cup, and Club World Cup to contend with as well.
#2 Be more ruthless
Liverpool are actually one of the most ruthless teams in the world, with their quick attacking play and incredible pressing game. Their knack for late goals has also shown that the Reds don't just sit around, they take the game by the scruff of the neck.
However, it was not done enough. With the ridiculous standard set by Manchester City, Liverpool were forced to dig deep many times last season. However, there were some games where the Reds could not find a way through.
That is a bizarre thing to say, especially with the number of games where Jürgen Klopp's side scraped through, winning without playing that well. That is what champions do. Unfortunately, there were two teams worthy of being called champions last season.
However, there was a six-game stretch that saw Liverpool draw four times. It was then where the Reds lost their lead in the title race. A solitary goal at either Old Trafford or Goodison Park would have been pivotal, as both games saw Liverpool take a more conservative approach and finished 0-0.
#1 Ensure victory against title rivals
The key moment in the 2018-19 Premier League title race was the match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on January 2nd. The Reds were seven points clear and had the opportunity to possibly finish the title race at that early stage.
However, a dominant City side managed to pull out a hard-fought 2-1 victory as Liverpool came 11 millimeters away from scoring the opening goal that night. Following that game, it took just four draws in seventeen games for the Reds to lose their lead.
With the minimal margin for error in the Premier League, any team that wants to challenge for the title must take it upon themselves to defeat their title rivals. Unfortunately, Liverpool did not do that last season.
The Reds only got one point against Pep Guardiola's men, with a 0-0 draw at Anfield accompanying their only league defeat all season. This left the thought that Liverpool were effectively 11 millimeters away from possibly winning the Premier League as invincibles.
Again, despite the disappointment, we go again. The new season could not start soon enough and Liverpool will be right in the thick of things.
