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It’s been a running football gag for as long as anyone can remember. At the end of every season, Liverpool fans are always so convinced that the following campaign is theirs, and they've been wrong every single time. The mighty Merseyside club have not won the top-flight title since 1989-90.
But, by the way the current season has started (although it may still be a little early in the campaign), things look like they could be changing for The Reds, and the nightmares of millions of Manchester United fans worldwide may be about to come true.
Here are five reasons why this season could finally see Jurgen Klopp’s men lift their first ever Premier League title.
#1 They managed to keep hold of Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian hitman was hands down the best player in the world last season, and it was natural that the game’s powerhouses would start circling overhead. It was heavily speculated that Spanish giants Real Madrid were the favourites to land his signature, but a move never materialised.
In the past, Liverpool has lost players such as Michael Owen, Fernando Torres, and Luis Suarez just as they looked like they were beginning to challenge, and their fans should be forgiven for feeling a bit uneasy about the rumours of Salah’s departure. Luckily for them, he’s still there, and they can now focus on fighting for the title.
#2 They look solid at the back
At the beginning of last season, it was clear that Liverpool needed to make several signings, and that was most apparent in defence. Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren were caught out often, and the club initially struggled in the first half of the campaign.
The signing of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton added much needed steel to their back four, and they went all the way to the Champions League final. The defence has also been responsible for the brilliant way they’ve started the new season. They are yet to concede in the league, and if they can get better, who knows what they could achieve?
#3 They finally have a world class goalkeeper
Every side that has won the Premier League title since its inception has had a world class player between the sticks. Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius were just not up to it last season, and they made several glaring mistakes that saw the club drop crucial points throughout the campaign.
The addition of the Brazilian shot stopper should give the defence a lot of confidence, and that should result in points picked up.
#4 Naby Keita
The Guinean midfielder has been one of the club’s best performers so far this season. It looks like he could have the same impact on the club’s season as Yaya Toure had when Manchester City claimed their second Premier League crown back in 2014.
City strolled towards the title last season, but it looks like they could see their dominance challenged this time around. Keita looks like he could be the box to box midfielder who can create a seamless link between defence and attack. His capture looks to be a very shrewd piece of business by Klopp.
#5 Salah, Firmino, and Mane
Barcelona had MSN in Messi, Suarez, and Neymar, and Real Madrid had Benzema, Bale and Cristiano who were known as BBC. At their best, the attacking trio of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane are near unstoppable as well.
If Klopp can get them playing at the top of their game week in, and week out, Liverpool will be very difficult to stop. Liverpool fans have every right to be excited about the rest of the season.
