Liverpool poised to compete at top level in 2016/17 season

Liverpool’s 2015-2016 season ended in utter disappointment. Domestically, the Reds finished in as poor a position as 8th in the league table while they were beaten in the Capital One Cup final on penalties. Their Europa League campaign produced some remarkable moments, but they ultimately fell short of a place in next season’s Champions League after a disastrous loss to Sevilla in which they were completely undone in the second half. However, there are more than enough reasons for optimism. It took Jurgen Klopp only a few weeks to yield some outstanding performances from his side including a 3-1 win

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However, there are more than enough reasons for optimism. It took Jurgen Klopp only a few weeks to yield some outstanding performances from his side including a 3-1 win over defending champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and a 4-1 win over City at their home stadium.

At times, during the second half of the season, Liverpool seemed capable of competing among Europe’s best. An excellent performance resulted in another three goal victory over Manchester City while even their second string XI managed convincing wins over Stoke City and Bournemouth.

The strongest examples of their quality were on the European stage. The Reds cruised past United and the 3-1 aggregate score line does not accurately reflect their dominance over the two legs. Their superb comeback from 3-1 down against Borussia Dortmund, arguably one of Europe’s top ten sides last season, was no fluke in the context of Liverpool’s other performances.

Their victory over Villereal was impressive as well. The Reds seemed to be the only side on the pitch against the visitors in the second leg, an impressive achievement given the fact that the Spaniards had previously ended Barcelona’s winning streak, defeated Real Madrid, and held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in the latter’s own backyard.

However, while they demonstrated their quality through several brilliant performances on certain instances, the Reds’s failed to find constancy. Their losses to Watford and West Ham in December and January highlight the extent to which Klopp has a rebuilding job, and offered a harsh reality check.

Meanwhile, they failed to hold on to a lead on several occasions. Supporters have every right to be outraged at the Reds’s failure to seal a victories against Southampton, Sunderland, and Newcastle, despite a two goal lead in each match.

Although Klopp’s side were poor throughout the season, on some occasions as poor as they were excellent on others, there is every reason to believe that the Reds can contend at the very top, beyond a Champions League place. There can be little doubt that Klopp has already improved his side quite a bit. It is reasonable to excuse these poor performances given the German’s excellent work up to date as well as the fact that he has not yet even had a preseason to build his own team.

Injuries played a big role in Liverpool’s poor league finish. Although Sturridge played the majority of Liverpool’s second half games, he made only 14 Premier League appearances, some of which were in Brendan Rodgers’s final days at the club. Meanwhile, Origi and Sakho’s absences and lack of full fitness certainly contributed to Liverpool’s poor domestic form in addition to their collapse against Sevilla. The factors behind Liverpool’s lackluster performances throughout the reason were in part completely out of their own control.

In light of Liverpool’s current progress under Klopp, there is reason to believe that the Reds can launch a title challenge next year. Once Klopp builds the team to his vision, Liverpool will move only in a forward direction. With a full preseason and one or two transfer markets, the sky may well be the limit for Liverpool.

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