The New Year is upon us and we’re all hoping for a successful 2016 from Liverpool FC. We look at reasons to be positive in the coming 12 months.
2015 has now been and gone and following a frustrating 12 months, Reds supporters will be hoping 2016 brings more success on the football pitch.
Jurgen Klopp‘s arrival as manager has injected fresh belief into the football club and the German is one of the main causes for optimism in the coming months.
Here are 10 reasons why we should be feeling positive about this year.
New Main Stand completion
Due to be completed this summer, the new Main Stand will take Anfield’s capacity to around 52,000 – the fifth biggest in the Premier League. It is sure to increase revenue at Liverpool, and add to the Anfield atmosphere.
Construction could see the Reds play their first two games of next season away from home.
Klopp’s first summer transfer window
Once Klopp can actually bring in the exact players he wants, we will really start to see his plans come to fruition.
While January may see a new face or two arrive on Merseyside, it will be the summer that the 48-year-old can really reshape his squad. He has the pulling power to attract some top players.
A full pre-season under Klopp
It was always going to take time for the Liverpool players to adapt to Klopp’s relentless style of play, and the summer will be a huge help in that respect.
Pre-season will be the perfect opportunity for Klopp to get his players as fit as they can possibly be, and to master his philosophy. 2016/17 has the potential to be very exciting.
Winning the title not out of the question
Ok, so winning the title is unlikely, but Liverpool are still only nine points adrift of Arsenal and Leicester City at the top.
2013/14 showed what can happen when you can gather some momentum, and should the Reds see off the Gunners at Anfield in a few weeks, a maiden Premier League title may suddenly feel far more achievable.
Potential League Cup final
The Reds face Stoke City in the two-legged League Cup semi-final this month, with a final against either Man City or Everton awaiting the victor.
Mark Hughes’ side will give Liverpool two very tricky games, but hopefully the chance of a first trophy in four years will see Klopp and his men through.
Key players will continue to develop
It is often easy to forget how young this Liverpool squad is, and there are a number of key faces who will only get better in 2016.
The likes of Mamadou Sakho, Nathaniel Clyne, Alberto Moreno, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are still 25 or under, and shouldn’t hit their prime for a few years yet.
Firmino’s second season
Much has been made of Firmino’s below-par start to life in a Liverpool shirt, but it would be madness to just write off the talented Brazilian.
The 24-year-old is sure to improve the more he adjusts to life in England, and as players like Thierry Henry and Mesut Ozil have shown, it is the second season in which some top players come alive in the Premier League.
USA tour
Following the success of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of America in 2014, the Reds once again cross the Atlantic this summer.
Four cities are currently pencilled in – including a visit to California to face Steven Gerrard‘s LA Galaxy. The other locations currently scheduled are Boston, Florida and San Francisco. Dates should be confirmed soon.
Possible return of Champions League football
Liverpool have two avenues in which they can return to Europe’s premier club competition next season: the Premier League and the Europa League.
A top-four finish is certainly achievable, although more consistency has to be found, while Europa League glory is far from out of the question too. That would see them automatically qualify for the Champions League.
Klopp is Liverpool manager
Sometimes it is easy to take for granted just what an amazing appointment Klopp was when he arrived at Anfield in October.
Liverpool have one of the most talented, popular coaches in world football at the helm, and his brand of football, memorable interviews and winning mentality are sure to entertain in 2016.
> Liverpool FC 2015 – Year In Numbers
> Liverpool FC in 2015: Year in Review
> Liverpool FC Top 5 Goals of 2015
[interaction id=”5683b8ffa0cb783209b9857a”]
Fan Comments