Liverpool have suffered a rollercoaster 2023. Starting the year with the signing of Cody Gakpo, the Reds didn’t even manage to pick up a victory in January as their poor form continued.
However, their luck started to change in February with a win in the Merseyside derby, before a 7-0 victory over rivals Manchester United at Anfield. They’d lose twice before embarking on a run of 11 without defeat to close out the season.
It was a sign of things to come for the Reds, who, after a summer transfer overhaul, began 2023/24 in fine form. They currently sit second in the Premier League table with a promising 2024 on the horizon. But what will it bring? Our reporters make their predictions.
Liverpool’s new-look side is ahead of its scheduling and a battle for the Premier League title in the second half of the campaign is one that will really keep supporters invested for the long haul. An eight-month run that has seen them lose just once since the start of April in the league has really given fuel for that particular conversation.
Liverpool perhaps didn’t expect to find themselves five points ahead of Manchester City on Christmas Day and while the goal surely still remains an instant return to the Champions League, the landscape has plenty for supporters to be optimistic about for the coming months.
A two-legged affair against Fulham could see them back at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final against Middlesbrough or Chelsea in February, while a Europa League last-16 tie awaits them later in the year. Jurgen Klopp’s side will be considered one of the strong favourites for that competition and a trip to Dublin has the potential to be considered one of the greatest ever European trips if the Reds can navigate their way to the Aviva at the end of May.
There is so much to sustain Liverpool supporters for the coming months and it’s a great time to be following them once more either as a fan. There is no better place to do so than on the ECHO’s dedicated pages. We’ll be there every step of the way.
Some fans are still flapping
Ian Doyle: Let’s be honest – Liverpool are doing far better this season than anyone could have imagined back in the summer when some fans were flapping about at the failure to sign a recognisable name as a defensive midfielder.
But that some are still flapping over the same matter underlines why the Reds will probably fall short in their title tilt during the second half of the campaign.
The FA Cup, with Arsenal away up first at the end of a draining festive period, doesn’t look too hot either. However, there will be major disappointment if Jurgen Klopp’s side don’t reach the League Cup final, and they have as much chance as anyone at lifting the Europa
Throw in a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League, that counts as a very good campaign for a developing team. Next summer, though, will be an interesting one in the transfer market, with perhaps a new sporting director and a number of players that will need replacing. Hopefully, though, not Mohamed Salah. Saudi Arabia isn’t the right place for him at the moment.
Trophies, transfers and contract extensions
Theo Squires: The second half of 2023 has been good after a dismal 2022/23 campaign, but I’m backing 2024 to be even better.
Liverpool are currently favourites for the League Cup and Europa League for good reason, and I’ve got everything crossed for a cup double. A good festive period can hopefully set up them nicely to go the distance in the Premier League title-race, though it’s too early and too tight to say with any certainty which side will finish the season as champions
Year one for ‘Liverpool 2.0’ is setting up to be exciting, but the best is still very much still to come. The squad still needs strengthening with a holding midfielder, centre-back, and new forward all on the wishlist. If Trent Alexander-Arnold completes his transformation into a midfielder, a new right-back wouldn’t go amiss either.
And while some answers could emerge internally, as demonstrated by Jarell Quansah’s emergence this season, Klopp’s ranks will be bolstered by a couple of shiny new signings.
Meanwhile, there are a few key players out of contract in 2025. While Mohamed Salah’s future is uncertain, surely at least another year at Anfield, while still scoring for fun, back in the Champions League, and competing for the game’s biggest honours is more appealing than winding down in Saudi Arabia?
He agrees a new contract, while Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold can pen extensions in the not-too-distant future too.
Silverware, excitement and some much needed fine-tuning
Joe Rimmer: If this is the start of the Liverpool 2.0 journey, then I am excited about the destination.
And I think 2024 can be a year of progress for this new look side.
I’m predicting silverware – the Carabao Cup and go on, the Europa League in Dublin – and, as this is a Jurgen Klopp team, a little bit of heartbreak as well as the title challenge falters with Man City going on their regular end of season run.
I’ll also expect more new signings. Not on the scale of last summer, but perhaps two high calibre deals in the summer, with a centre-back and defensive midfielder on the cards. It’ll be the fine-tuning Jurgen Klopp’s squad needs to take them to the next level.
And finally, I’ll also predict that by this time next year a new, short-term deal will be signed to keep Mohamed Salah at the club. The Saudi adventure doesn’t look anywhere near as exciting.
