Halfway through the season, Liverpool are still attacking on the fourth front, and the situation is not bad on all fronts. At least theoretically, they are on track to be crowned quadruple champions this year.
So, will they be able to accomplish such a feat? TA journalists gave their opinions.
Is the opportunity greater this year than in 2022?
james pearce: The squad is thicker, and the younger players are doing better. The other piece of good news is that injuries are improving, with Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dosobo all returning. In addition, the Europa League is less difficult than the Champions League, so it should be easier to reach the final. Jurgen Klopp has rotated more times this season than any manager in Europe's other top leagues.
caoimhe o’neill: In 2021-22, Thiago was crucial for Liverpool. This year, having him is the icing on the cake, and it is not impossible to do without him. If they continue to kick like this, there may be drama.
phil buckingham: Liverpool are missing Sadio Mane and Fabinho, and some of the veterans are not as useful as they were two years ago. But I don't think it's particularly bad. That Liverpool team may have been a little stronger in 2021-22, but this year the team is improving and the depth of the squad is okay. And this year's Europa League is certainly much less difficult.
Jurgen Klopp has announced that he will leave at the end of the season, how will this affect the team?
jp: I talked to the players and coaches about ......They all said they hoped to end this extraordinary era with a climax. Sunday's 5-2 win over Norwich in the FA Cup was ......A good response, but a tougher test is yet to come, which could be a ......distraction as Klopp's departure date approachesMeI really hope that the fans will follow the manager's request and focus on cheering on the players on the pitch
co: Imagine how much effort everyone has to put in now to ensure the fairytale "last dance" ......Liverpool fans and players alike know that this was Jurgen Klopp's last glory days. Of course, this can only be positive.
pb: It's a huge unknown. Klopp believes that now making his decision public will inspire the entire team to say goodbye to one last cheer. I think that's the case too......They still have a lot of opportunities to fight again, and this team is not going to break up all at once.
Liverpool are most likely to be in the middle of the road?
jp: Jurgen Klopp mentioned last week that the FA Cup fifth round will be played in midweek, just days after the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea. However, a home draw against Championship opponents, whether Watford or Southampton, in that round should take a break. Sunday's away league game against Arsenal will be difficult and the opponents will have to avenge the FA Cup defeat. Liverpool also have away games against Manchester United, West Ham and Aston Villa. But it is Manchester City who threaten them the most. Pep Guardiola's side are currently second in the table with one game in hand, five points adrift, and will visit Anfield on 9 March.
co: The answer is simple, play the Manchester City game. I'll also be following away games against Everton (16 March) and Manchester United (6 April). Jurgen Klopp had a good run with two teams, but I remember the two draws at Goodison Park and Old Trafford in the final stages of the 2018/19 season. Some say that the few points lost are the reason why Liverpool lost the title, and they ended up one point behind Manchester City.
pb: Liverpool learned two years ago, as long as Pep Guardiola's team gets into the groove, it can't be stopped, and the league should still be the most difficult level. Liverpool – and other clubs that are trying to prevent Manchester City from winning four consecutive titles – may need to come close to perfection.
Do you want to spend money on reinforcement in the winter window?
jp: No, I don't think so. After Matip's cruciate ligament rupture, some could say he wants to sign as a centre-back. But now that Anza is playing well, Robertson is back, Gomez can play at centre-back and play well at left-back.
co: The point of view is basically the same as above. In addition, Bradley can top Arnold, and the competition between the two is quite fierce. The midfield is very strong, the attack is good, you just have to stay healthy.
pb: Any manager wants more peopleBut this winter window is quite cold, which means that it is really not very good. Manchester City didn't make reinforcements, neither did Arsenal and Villa. Liverpool could have bought some people, but the injuries are slowly coming back, the young players are coming up, and I don't think we have to buy people in the winter window.
If you have to choose one of the four, which champion to choose?
jp: Must be a Premier League champion. In the 2019-20 season, Liverpool won the Premier League, ending a 30-year title drought, and this title is very special. But because of the pandemic, Liverpool didn't get what they were supposed to enjoy. When Henderson lifted the trophy that night, I was one of the lucky few to be there at Anfield, and it was strange that there were no fans and there was no parade afterwards
co: The Premier League, of course. If they win this year, they will equal Manchester United's record of 20 league titles.
pb: It has to be the Premier League. If Jurgen Klopp wins one Premier League title in eight years, there will be doubts about his ability in the future, and a second Premier League title will go a long way in cementing his legendary statusWhat game are you most looking forward to at the end of the season?
jp: If all goes well, the final week of the season can be very special indeed. Sunday 19 May, home game against Wolves, Klopp Anfield's last stop. Then on Wednesday night, the Europa League final in Dublin, followed by the FA Cup final three days later. But if you only pick one game, it will have to be at home to Manchester City in March, and the atmosphere at Anfield will be explosive.
co: After playing Arsenal this weekend, it can only be Manchester City on March 9This is the last meeting between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in the Premier League. The game is sure to be exciting, and it could well decide who wins the game.
pb: It could only be a home game against Manchester City, right? It is likely to affect the title race, and it should also be the last meeting between Klopp and Pep Guardiola in English football. 1 sign of the end of an era.