You Never Walk Alone. The classic song by Gerry and the Pacemakers reverberates around Anfield before every football game. It is sung with gusto by the fans and can be intimidating to the opponent. Off the pitch, the song has captured the antidote in coping with the difficult times during the pandemic. Yet, football has been a catharsis away from the struggles of everyday life. At the start of February 2022, Liverpool football fans can feel optimistic that this season could be memorable despite the bumps in the road it has experienced. Here are the top 5 things to know about the Liverpool FC season so far.
Number 5-Dominating Champions’ League Group Performance- on August 26, 2021, Liverpool was drawn in what appeared to be a tough Champions League group. The group included the reigning Spanish League Champions Atletico Madrid and two teams with European pedigree in AC Milan and FC Porto. The Reds enforced their will on this group by dominating at home and edging the tricky away games in Madrid and Milan. It was the first time in Liverpool’s illustrious history that they had won all six matches in the Champions League. They became the first English team to achieve the feat and the 9th overall in the competition. The Reds were rampant in attack scoring 17 goals that blew away the opposition and kept things tight enough at the back by letting in only six goals.
Number 4-Rough Holiday Period in EPL makes Man City favorites- the busy festive period has always been a difficult period in the English football calendar. The teams are required to play every three days which often results in fatigue and injuries. This season, the teams had to cope with the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant which forced top players to miss matches due to quarantine and recovery. The dip in form started with a 2-2 away to Tottenham on December 19 with Van Dijk, Fabinho, Thiago, and Jordan Henderson missing due to injury or Covid. Nine days later, Leicester defeated Liverpool 1-0 at home despite the Reds missing several chances to take away a point. Five days later, Liverpool led third-placed Chelsea 2-0 away at London and squandered the opportunity by letting in two quick goals in dropping more points. Yes, in this crucial period in the season, Man City was able to push their lead to 9 points ahead of Liverpool.
Number 3-Mohammed Salah is on fire but contract renewal controversy lingers on- when Mohammed Salah moved from Roma in 2017, no one could have predicted how prolific he would become as a goalscorer. This season, Salah is considered the best player in the Premier League, and some even feel he is the best in the world. The Egyptian king has scored 23 goals and provided nine assists in just 26 matches. In the Premier League alone, Salah has scored 16 goals which make him six goals ahead of his teammate Diogo Jota. Mo’s nine assists him second behind his teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold with 10. Salah has scored highlight reeling goals month after month. However, questions persist on his future with the team entering the final 18 months of the contract. Fans will hope that this impasse ends quickly and the player remains on Merseyside.
Number 2-Will Luis Diaz ultimately mean the end of the famous front three?- On January 30, 2022, Liverpool completed the signing of Colombian winger Luis Diaz. It was regarded as a coup because the player was rumored to be heading to Tottenham. However, at the 11th hour, Liverpool made their move and swooped in for the uber-talented player. Diaz was the most prolific striker in Portugal, scoring 14 goals and providing 5 assists in 18 games. The player is quick, skillful, and has a pressing mentality which is how Jurgen Klopp likes his forward. However, with the contract of Salah unresolved and Sadio Mane in line for an extension, fans are left to wonder whether Diaz will provide more depth or was he brought in as a replacement for one of these players? Only time will tell.
Number 1-How many trophies can this team win?
The good news for Reds fans is that the team is well-positioned to challenge for all four trophies this season. On Sunday, Liverpool defeated Cardiff City in the FA Cup 3-1 to advance to the fifth round and face Norwich City. On Wednesday, February 16, they will begin their home and away tie in the Champions League round of 16 against Inter Milan. Then, on February 27 they will get the chance to add their first silverware of the season when they head to Wembley Stadium to play Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final. Despite a nine-point lead, Liverpool still can put pressure on Manchester City with a game in hand and a head-to-head game later this season.
Yes, the possibilities are endless, and we will be here to cover the journey to pot
