Liverpool recently secured a 4-0 win against Barcelona at Wembley, and that result has left us thinking just what they could achieve once the season kicks off.
Newcomers Sadio Mane and Marko Grujic both scored, while former Liverpool player Javier Mascherano scored an own goal, and Divock Origi also found the net.
The players were energetic, determined, and most importantly, converted all of their opportunities; a particularly delightful thing for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. The big-money signing from Southampton, Sadio Mane was fantastic, and his first goal for the club was just one of many highlights in an inspiring outing.
Sadio Mane was a constant threat on the wings and also proved that could be useful going into the centre of attack as a false 9. The Senegalese forward will surely add much-needed pace to this Liverpool side, something they lacked last season.
Fellow arrival Marko Grujic also put in an excellent display that was capped by an extraordinary headed chip over Barca’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo in injury time. He’d already scored a couple of goals in pre-season, and by the looks of things could be on his way to enjoying a stellar Premier League campaign.
Liverpool impressed with this big and unexpected win, and it should give The Reds a huge confidence boost ahead of their game against Arsenal at the Emirates next week.
One setback that did occur was James Milner suffering a knock, though if out for the Premier League opener, Klopp looks to have capable replacements in Wijnaldum or Grujic.
Liverpool will face with a tough test at Emirates, and it will be the first of three consecutive away games due to the re-development of Anfield’s Main Stand.
Of course, these Premier League games are of far more importance than the recent victory over Barcelona, but convincingly beating the La Liga giants by scoring four goals, will rightly encourage Liverpool fans going into the new season.
The fact that they are challenging for the Premier League alone in this campaign with no European commitments should also strengthen their domestic performances, as the players will be more refreshed and prepared when going into each game. They could even find themselves in the middle of the title race if Klopp plays his cards right.
However, it is too soon for such predictions, and Liverpool will have to concentrate on the first few games before even being considered as a top four candidate this year.
Their game at Arsenal, next Sunday, represents a chance to put down a real marker in relation to being considered as a runner for one of those Champions League spots, however, and with a strong pre-season preceding Klopp’s first full Premier League campaign, Liverpool fans can be forgiven for dreaming of great success in 2016/17.
