EPL Team Outlook: Liverpool Looking to Reclaim Spot in Top 4

The last soccer season was one to forget for Liverpool and its supporters after coming in fifth, their lowest finish since the 2015-16 campaign. But new players and a rejuvenated squad after no international major international tournaments this offseason could help the Reds reset and find their form heading into this season.

We take a balanced look at Liverpool this season and select a breakout player and X-factor before revealing our best bet.

EPL Team Outlooks: Manchester City | Manchester United | Tottenham

Liverpool Preview: Why You Should Be Bullish

There is still a boatload of talent within this squad. With Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Andy Robertson remaining as critical pillars in this lineup, there is still chemistry and world-class quality within the first team. Manager Jurgen Klopp has always found ways to fit the pieces together, and many of their newer faces have gotten a year or so to get comfortable with their spot within the squad. If we consider last year a slight hiccup in the Klopp tenure, we should expect big things from a more relaxed team this season.

Liverpool Preview: Why You Should Be Bearish

There is still plenty of transition taking place among the first team. The recent departures of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino leave the club with some questions at attack, and even Liverpool supporters will tell you they aren’t entirely sold on Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez as replacements. Following the departure of Jordan Henderson, this may be the weakest midfield Liverpool have had in the past decade. If they struggle to control the middle of the pitch throughout the Premier League season, we could see shocking results against clubs up to the task.

Liverpool Prediction: Breakout Player: MF Alexis Mac Allister

Premier League junkies were familiar with Alexis Mac Allister‘s potential from his time at Brighton. At the same time, the rest of the world caught onto his brilliance during Argentina’s run to the World Cup title. He played a critical ball into the path of Angel Di Maria for the nation’s second goal in the final and scored his own in the group stage against Poland. One of 23 players to score ten or more goals a season ago, Mac Allister always seems to know what to do in front of the net while also proving to be a quality penalty taker with Brighton, netting six of six attempts in 2022-23.

Liverpool Prediction: X-Factor: ST Darwin Nunez

The media well documented Nunez’s struggles throughout his debut season with the club, struggling to convert big chances in the final third. He only finished behind Chelsea‘s Kai Havertz in goals below expected goals (xG) on the season, underperforming his xG by 5.28 in 2022-23. The kneejerk takeaway is that Nunez struggles with being clinical in front of goal, but a twisted look at it can be that he is constantly putting himself in the right position. If Nunez can find his finishing touch next season and be the number nine that the Reds desperately need on a week-to-week basis, it could be the missing piece the club needs to get back into the top four.

Liverpool Pick: 2023-24 Premier League Title Odds: +800

This price is intriguing for a team that still has plenty of players from their 2019-20 Premier League title squad. There is leadership, quality, and a sheer focus on the Premier League, with the Europe League as their continental competition for the upcoming season. If the newer pieces can fit into place better this year with some mastermind management from Klopp, Liverpool’s price could shorten drastically as soon as Halloween. This one’s worth a flyer.

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