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The 2017-18 Premier League season turned out to be quite satisfactory for Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool FC managed to produce some inspired performances that helped them finish 4th in the league table, with 75 points.
Liverpool will take heart from the fact that they made it to the final of the Champions League after a gap of 11 years. Though they lost the final to Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp’s men showed they can take on some of the heavyweights of European football.
Jurgen Klopp had stated that these performances will surely do a world of good for boosting his side’s confidence, which could further motivate them to deliver more such inspiring performances that could enhance his side’s chances in the upcoming season.
Liverpool might feel the pinch of losing out a player of Phillippe Coutinho’s class as the Brazilian was snapped up by Barcelona in the middle of last season. It also depends on what kind of formation Jurgen Klopp opts for and who could play the role of an attacking midfielder like Phillippe Coutinho.
Jurgen Klopp has claimed that they have enough players in their side who can match the quality of Coutinho. We take a look at 5 such players who could play a crucial role for Liverpool in the upcoming season.
#1 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah delivered some commanding performances in the last season and could once again be Liverpool’s go-to man in the forward line. Salah registered 32 goals in 36 games in the 2017-18 Premier League season, with 11 assists to his name in the last season.
Salah could once again be the guiding force for Liverpool in the forward line. He is quite incisive inside the box with his speed and dribbling. His deceptive runs can outclass the best defenses. The Egyptian has looked quite authoritative with his ability to hold the ball.
Salah has got this unique ability to operate from both sides of the flanks due to which the opponents have found it difficult to track his clever movements. Mohamed Salah can also be played as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker. His finishing too is absolutely superlative.
Salah had expressed his disappointment as he couldn’t take Egypt to the knock-out rounds of the just-concluded World Cup in Russia. Jurgen Klopp had stated that the Egyptian is eager to prove his worth in the upcoming Premier League season too. Salah will surely be a key figure in Liverpool’s campaign in the upcoming season.
#2 Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane has infused a lot of fluidity and aggression in this Liverpool outfit. His electric pace combined with his innovative dribbles can breach any strong defense on his day. Sadio Mane’s presence has upgraded the quality of Liverpool’s forward line as it looks a balanced one.
Jurgen Klopp had stated that Mane has also infused a lot of intensity in the outfit as the 26-year-old is known for his never-say-die attitude. He has got this knack of creating chances for the forward line with his quick movements. The former Southampton player has been a smooth operator during set-pieces. Mane has also linked up quite well with midfielders like Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner.
He has combined well with the strikers too. The striker has been a threat during counter attacks too. Sadio Mane scored 10 goals in 29 games in the 2017-18 Premier League season with 7 assists to his name.
Though Mane has played well in patches last season, he never let his intensity dip and has upped the level of competitiveness within the team, that has pushed his teammates to do well.
Mane also played an influential role for Senegal in the just-concluded World Cup in Russia, taking his side to the knock-out rounds.
#3 Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino looked in terrific goal-scoring form last season. The charismatic forward offers great depth in this Liverpool squad because of his ability to double up as an attacking midfielder. The 26-year-old registered 15 goals in 37 games in the 2017-18 Premier League season with 7 assists to his name.
His aggressive runs combined with his ability to open up the gaps in the opposition's midfield, have looked threatening. The Brazilian has always been good in winning aerial duels and has been precise with his passes.
Firmino has teamed up well with the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in the forward line, forming a dangerous front-line partnership. Jurgen Klopp employed a much stronger midfield line-up in the last season, which helped Firmino play his attacking game as a striker. Besides, he has looked good on the flanks too.
Firmino had expressed his disappointment after his ordinary performances in the World Cup, but the Brazilian had stated that he will try to put his best performance in the upcoming Premier League season.
#4 Xherdan Shaqiri
Xherdan Shaqiri looked in decent form last season, scoring 8 goals in 36 games for Stoke City. The 26-year-old has been signed by Liverpool for a hefty sum of 13 million pounds on a 5-year deal which signals their intentions of making their midfield line much more robust and intense.
The winger possesses terrific pace which can shut out the best defenses. The Swiss international has the ability to outclass the opposition with his electric counter attacks and combative moves. The former Bayern Munich player can be a threat inside the box because of his immaculate and spectacular finishes.
Shaqiri has been a clever operator in the flanks and has got this unique ability to set himself up in goal-scoring positions, which can catch the opposition off-guard. His presence will surely upgrade the quality of Liverpool’s midfield.
Shaqiri played a handy role for Switzerland in the World Cup during the league matches which helped them qualify for the knock-out rounds.
#5 Dejan Lovren
Dejan Lovren shouldered the responsibility of Liverpool’s defense with immense maturity along with Emre Can in the last season. The 29-year-old was an influential figure in the World Cup in Russia for Croatia and looked quite reliable at the back.
The defender showed tremendous composure in the last season during pressure situations with his ability to win the possession back from the opposition players. Lovren was criticized at the beginning of the last season because of his attitude towards the team, but the Croatian answered his critics with some gritty performances. Lovren also played a crucial role for the Reds in the 2017-18 Champions League season.
The former Southampton player provides tremendous solidity at the back and has manned Liverpool's defense with authority since his arrival at Anfield. Lovren's presence adds a lot of width in the Liverpool defense because of his strong tackles. Jurgen Klopp had stated that Lovren will surely be a crucial link in Liverpool's defense in the upcoming season.
