Areas where Liverpool can improve in 2022
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Areas where Liverpool can improve in 2022

2020 was a difficult year for Liverpool who, despite winning their first league title since 1990, couldn’t celebrate it with fans in the stadium, making it a bittersweet moment. The beginning of the following season started with an injury to key centre back Virgil Van Dijk, which coincided with an awful run of form that saw the club struggling to finish in the top four. They managed to weather the storm admirably, never panicking or making any rash personnel changes before recovering in 2021 to finish third behind the two Manchester clubs.

Their resurgence has continued into this season, particularly with the return of Van Dijk, meaning the Reds go into 2022 full of confidence and optimism. However, there are a few issues they must sort out if it is to be a successful year.

Defensive solidity

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While Van Dijk’s return has given the club and his teammates a huge boost, it hasn’t quite brought back the air of invincibility that he inspired before his injury. That’s not to blame the Dutch centreback, as he returned ahead of schedule and has got himself up to speed straight away, but the team are conceding more chances to opponents and subsequently more goals than they are used to. Prior to Van Dijk’s injury Joel Matip and Joe Gomez alternated as his partner depending on their fitness and form, but the picture has changed slightly since then with the arrival of Ibrahima Konaté, a £36 million summer signing who needs time to adapt to the league. Very few are doubting that the Frenchman signed from RB Leipzig will make a great partner for Van Dijk, but he is adapting to the league, which is not necessarily helpful for Van Dijk who is trying to regain his rhythm.

Less dependency on Salah, Mané

Since their arrival at Anfield, Mo Salah and Sadio Mané have been Liverpool’s most consistent goal threats. The African forwards have dovetailed extremely effectively even when there has appeared to be friction between the two of them on a personal level, which is testament to their professionalism. Although Roberto Firmino’s role is more about helping to bring the best out of Salah and Mané, he scored his fair share of goals in Jurgen Klopp’s first few seasons as manager. However, those seem to have dried up now, making the Reds’ reliance on the wide men even more apparent. The signing of Diogo Jota has helped in this regard, as the Portuguese winger looks a perfect fit for the system and style of play. However, he seems more comfortable playing in wide areas, which makes him a better replacement than partner for Salah or Mané. With fixtures piling up for Liverpool across four competitions, and the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup both happening in 2022, it is vitally important that Liverpool find other sources of goals. Aside from the fact both are participating in the AFCON in January, fixture congestion will be a hurdle that the team must overcome if they are to be successful in 2022. One of the negative effects of fixture congestion is the inevitable injuries that occur, and while Jota can quite capably deputise for either Salah or Mané, he can’t score enough goals to offset the loss of both.

Fix the press

The rest of the team must also accept some responsibility for the team’s reduced defensive solidarity; their press is nowhere near as effective or intimidating as it has been during most of Klopp’s tenure, so it’s something that needs addressing. There are many possible reasons for this, with observers citing similar problems for Klopp’s Dortmund team in his final season, when his players began to feel the toll of his heavy pressing style. Another possible reason could also be the form of the front players, particularly Mo Salah, who is reaching the levels of attacking efficiency that make it difficult to justify him harrying centre backs. Firmino’s lack of form and fitness has also hindered the teams’ pressing capabilities as he has been the leader of the press since he arrived. So, Klopp must find a way to make his team press effectively with or without the Brazilian.

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