:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64981280/1162437813.jpg.0.jpg)
It’s here.
A mere 68 days on from Jordan Henderson lifting the Champions League trophy to cap off a magical 2018-19 campaign, the Reds prepare to kick off a new season full of fresh dreams and sharpened ambitions.
The core of the Europe-topping, record point-setting Liverpool squad is back again, bolstered by a returning Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a bedded in Naby Keita and an anxious Rhian Brewster, raring to make good on his potential.
A frantic transfer deadline day saw several of the Reds’ Premier League rivals attempt to close the gap between them and the top dogs in league in Liverpool and Manchester City, but the race for the title will still most likely go through the two powerhouses.
Although the Citizens will be default favorites to follow up on an unprecedented domestic treble way in a bid to win the league for a third consecutive year, Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp believes that his immense squad have the power to write their own narrative:
“A season has a story, and there are different chapters but without a first word you cannot start. This is what we do [today],” the Reds boss said.
“We start our story and in the moment, there is no reason why it should not be a wonderful story. Between [tonight] and the end of the season there is a lot of things to do for us.”
After flipping the script last season, morphing from a swashbuckling, free-scoring squad into a defensively stingy and offensively pragmatic side, the 52-year-old hinted that viewers and supporters should expect further evolution as the Reds emerge from this summer’s cocoon:
“First and foremost, it’s very important you don’t compare seasons,” the German warned.
“Last year gave us a few important pieces of information. For sure, we could increase our self-awareness and confidence as well.
“Do we want to have the best defense again? Yes. Do we wish that Ali gets the Golden Gloves award again? Yes. That gives you the opportunity that means you don’t have to score five goals each game to win.
“It’s not about comparing [seasons], it makes absolutely no sense.
One trait about this Liverpool squad that won’t change is the heart and desire ever Red supporter expects of them and that embodies their manager’s approach to the game:
“We want to be intense – more intense than other teams. There’s not a competition for it, but it’s a title you can win, to be the most intense team. That’s what we want to be, however you want to measure that.
“If we are that and mixed with our quality and the potential that we have, it could be good football and successful football. That’s the plan.”
That’s a strategy every Red will gladly get behind. And while we’ll have our hopes, dreams and expectations for the season, we know that this Liverpool squad, regardless, will be making some serious noise.