Stevie Nicol still expects Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title next season, even if they lose the experienced duo of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia, on top of bringing in three new faces.
The Anfield legend was asked what are the ‘realistic expectations’ for Liverpool next season, if they were to ‘replace their entire midfield’ and if Jordan Henderson and Fabinho leave.
Now, two players, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, are already through the doors, so you would imagine, another big name will join if the above duo go to complete a possible five-man transfer deal.
Even though that will see Klopp’s midfield undergo massive and perhaps unplanned change, the exceptions remain the same for Nicol, as he told ESPN.
As Manchester City aim to push for a fourth Premier League title in a row, the last team that won the title outside of the Treble winners were Liverpool themselves, and on other occasions, they have hit 90+ points, only to be blown away by the incredible force Pep Guardiola has built.
Could those on Anfield get back on that road ahead of the next season? Nicol certainly thinks so.
“Competing for the title,” said Nicol about Liverpool’s expectations next season, if they replace their entire midfield upon Fabinho and Henderson’s possible exits.
“Simple and straightforward. When you sign three quality players like that, then you add them to the forward line and you have to expect the defence isn’t going to let 50 goals in again. Then you should be competing.”
Will Liverpool push for the Europa League?
The Reds have reached three Champions League finals under Klopp, winning one against Tottenham in Madrid.
But now that they are in the Europa League, it’s going to be interesting to see how they balance out that competition in comparison with the Premier League.
Many will argue that the Premier League is far more important than the Europa League, so when push comes to shove, will Klopp throw his best players at the marathon because they can’t afford to miss out on Champions League football again?
Yes, winning the Europa League will also get you there, but pushing for the title surely has to be the main aim.
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