RedsBet contributors and ambassadors have shared their thoughts ahead of the new Premier League season.
John Aldridge, Liverpool legend
What did you learn from pre-season?
Pre-season was very positive, the players showed lots of promising signs. It looks on paper like we have a very strong squad, there were even one or two up-and-coming young lads looking good. Also, Daniel Sturridge and Xherdan Shaqiri surprised me, showing they can be pivotal for the team’s depth this season.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
I expect Liverpool to finish in the top four and win a trophy!
If you dare, where on the table will Liverpool finish?
I think we will possibly finish second behind Manchester City.
Liverpool are 6/5 to win a major trophy this season*
John Gibbons, The Anfield Wrap
What did you learn from pre-season?
Thankfully that there seems to be no negative after-effects from Liverpool’s heart breaking Champions League final defeat. If anything the team look more hungry and determined than ever. Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in particular are flying and Naby Keita looks like he will be a brilliant signing. We’ve also learned a bit more about a few youth players, with Curtis Jones and Rafa Camacho in particular impressing and looking ready to contribute if necessary.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
To challenge for trophies. It will obviously be very difficult to win the title if Manchester City do what they did last season again, but with the squad Liverpool have assembled and the positive feeling round the club at the moment, we shouldn’t fear anyone.
If you dare, where on the table will Liverpool finish?
Let’s say top. Why not.
Liverpool are 4/1 to win the Premier League this season*
Henry Jackson, This Is Anfield
What did you learn from pre-season?
That Jurgen Klopp has built one hell of a squad – Liverpool’s best of the Premier League era, in my opinion.
Barring centre-back, which does worry me a bit if Virgil van Dijk gets injured, the Reds are so well-stocked all over the pitch, and Alisson, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri are all going to be superb signings.
A special word for Curtis Jones, who has really emerged this summer and looks a player of unbelievable potential, and Daniel Sturridge, who has made such a pleasing comeback.
The quality of football and fitness levels promise so much ahead of the new season.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
I’m expecting a genuine title challenge – one that is still alive by the time Easter arrives. Man City are strong favourites and there should be no shame in admitting that, but Liverpool have everything in their armoury to push them closer this time around.
A trophy of some kind is also important, mainly to just get the monkey off both Klopp and the club’s back. It is being used as a stick to beat us all with – no trophy since 2012 is grim, in fairness – so shutting a few people up would be nice, even though competitions such as the FA Cup and League Cup mean far less these days.
If you dare, where in the table will Liverpool finish?
I think Liverpool have a genuine chance of winning the league and in many other seasons they would be red-hot favourites. Sadly, City’s depth and quality is ridiculous and I think they will just have too much over the course of a long season.
I’m going for a second-place finish – you have no idea how much I hope I’m wrong, assuming that means they come first rather than lower in the table!
Liverpool to score 100 or more Premier League goals is 25/1*
Craig Hannan, The Anfield Wrap
What did you learn from pre-season?
I’ve learnt that Liverpool as a collective are a club to be feared – both on and off the pitch. We’ve watched them beat City at the death, dispatch of United and then thump Napoli in the space of 10 days. We’ve been offered a glimpse into what our new signings will bring to the table and have seen some of our younger players step up to the plate. I think what’s also evident is there’s a real togetherness in this team, they enjoy each others company and want to win together – something that Jurgen Klopp instilled in his teams at Dortmund and Mainz.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
We’ve watched year on year progression under Klopp, we’ve experienced some of the most enjoyable nights following Liverpool and to do that all again with some silverware at the end of it would be what I’d like to see. Get one trophy out of the way and who knows what this team could achieve. I’d do bad things for a title push…
If you dare, where on the table will Liverpool finish?
It’s our year, isn’t it? City are so strong, but if we can stay in the mix until the new year then who knows what can happen.
Josh Sexton, The Anfield Wrap
What did you learn from pre-season?
That young lads being in and around the squad isn’t necessarily a bad thing at this stage. Quite often the sight of the “kids” on the bench brings out the squad depth moaners, and Klopp himself did point out recently that the last thing you want during crucial games is a bench full of kids. However, one or two knocking around during the less pressure-filled moments is certainly no bad thing.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
A challenge, and a strong one. The Reds, on paper, have a squad which should be able to sustain a challenge on several fronts, so there shouldn’t be a huge drop off if rotation is required with cup games in mind towards the end of the season. Some supporters will argue they’d rather us guarantee some silverware, and they’re right to suggest that, but why shouldn’t we go for the big one and work backwards?
If you dare, where on the table will Liverpool finish?
I’ll be diplomatic and say top two. Looking at the other top four challengers at this stage, any lower should be classed as a failure — unless it results in a trophy elsewhere.
Mo Salah to score 30 league goals or more is 5/2*
Jordan Keeble, Liverpool Offside
What did you learn from pre-season?
I think we’ve got the strongest squad we’ve ever had, but they’re still going to take a bit to get used to Klopp’s system. Shaqiri is the only one that I think has taken outright to it like Salah did last season, and he’s going to be the biggest surprise of the season.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
We’re in a prime position to take over, honestly. None of our rivals have strengthened in the same way and we have the abilities and the depth to make a real push for silverware this year. I think best case scenario we win multiple trophies, worst case it all implodes for whatever reason. But we’re incredibly stable at this point and expecting more progress seems like underestimating them. And underestimate this team at our peril.
If you dare, where on the table will Liverpool finish?
Top. This is our season to lose.
*Odds are subject to change.
