“We’re building Liverpool 2.0 here, we want to attack again and not just look at how much longer can we go on? I have a loyalty to Liverpool. My heart is here in Liverpool.”
Those were the words of Jürgen Klopp following news of the departure of Hansi Flick as Germany manager recently – a position since filled by Julian Nagelsmann. His response would’ve been music to the ears of Liverpool supporters, as the club, helmed by the charismatic German, look to rebuild following a bleak 2022-23 campaign.
With particular attention towards the midfield, out went experienced campaigners Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho, while Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were deemed surplus to requirements. In their place are Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, while Wataru Endō and Ryan Gravenberch were late additions in the summer transfer window.
Add to that greater responsibility given to the likes of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajčetić, as while as experience in the shape of Thiago to come, there’s been a revitalisation at the heart of Liverpool’s team, and the early signs are looking promising.
A 3-1 win against West Ham United in the league last time out, their 17th successive league game avoiding defeat, saw them move to 16 points from their opening six games, bettered only by reigning champions Manchester City with 18. An impressive feat in its own right, what is more astonishing is the fact that it’s as many points as they had in their first 12 league games of last season, as early season numbers indicate where improvements have been made.
The underlying numbers to their seasons both current and previous in the shape of expected goals (xG) and expected goals against (xGA) indicate that in 2023-24, Klopp’s side are not only creating a better quality of chance in the attacking third of the pitch, but defensively the efforts coming in the other direction aren’t as threatening as they were in 2022-23.
All too often last season it felt too easy for opposing players to waltz through the heart of Liverpool and create dangerous opportunities time and again, as trips to Brentford, Brighton and Wolves testified in what was a difficult campaign.
What is noticeable now with this season’s version of Liverpool, thanks to their midfield, is the pressure they’re able to exert on the opposition. This campaign they rank 5th in the Premier League for pressures in the middle third* (563), last season they were 13th – a stark contrast. Not only does this give support to the defence behind them, but also means the ball is more likely to be turned over and given to what is a menacing front line.
All five of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo have scored in the Premier League, with Salah leading the attacking charge with what is now a ridiculous 12 consecutive Premier League games with a goal involvement (6 goals, 9 assists).
While he’s been hitting the standards expected of him following his arrival in 2017, becoming somewhat the benchmark for both quality and consistency for Premier League forwards, the improvements of Núñez have not gone unnoticed.
With nine goals and three assists in 29 Premier League games last season, he already has three goals and one assist in just 221 minutes of league action this campaign, as his game-winning brace against Newcastle United in August a statement of both his intent and talent.
Per 90 this season, his already well ahead of last season in the competition with regards to xG (1.07 vs 0.64), goal involvements (1.63 vs 0.64) and touches in the opposition’s box (9.77 vs 8.32), and only looks like he’s going to grow in confidence and lead Liverpool’s attacking line that many at the club believe he can.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Reds this season though, with red cards and the early concession of goals to deal with, sometimes both in the same game.
What’s different with this season though is their ability to adapt and overcome those setbacks akin to 2018-19 and 2019-20, and not roll over as they did all too often in 2022-23. Liverpool have earned nine of their 16 points this season from losing positions, more than any other Premier League side, winning all three times they’ve been behind – last season in the 18 games they were behind at some stage, they only won three (D6 L9).
For all the industry and intensity that’s been added to the midfield, to go along with some stellar pre-existing components too such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, the level of creative quality his risen significantly too.
Only Mohamed Salah (14) and Andy Robertson (13) have created more chances in the Premier League for Liverpool this season than Szoboszlai (12), who himself had the most secondary chances created with 10 (the pass to the player who created the chance). Mac Allister meanwhile has the third-most progressive passes for the Reds in 2023-24 (22), while Szoboszlai has 20.
Both Jones and Elliott also deserve praise for their displays so far. Entrusted by Klopp at the age of 22 and 20 respectively, they’ve proven they can both stay the course for this revolution.
Tough challenges await this side, most notably Tottenham and Brighton before the next international break, but after a summer of such a grand overhaul, Klopp himself can see what this next iteration of Liverpool could be capable of.
“I don’t know how good it can be but I’m really excited about the potential, yeah. I said that already weeks ago, that I really think it looks really good. It’s now all about what we make of it. It’s actually never what you’ve got, it’s really what you make of it.”
*A Pressure is defined “A defensive action in which a player whose team is out of possession moves to close down an opposing player. Pressures may be applied to players in possession, or potential receivers.”
