Liverpool keeping pace with City both on and off the field of play
Ambitious Reds spent R3bn to beef up their squad for the new season
Georginio Wijnaldum says competition for starting places at Liverpool is now comparable to Manchester City and Chelsea.
Despite the club spending £170-million (R3-billion) on new recruits, there were only three changes to the starting lineup beaten in the Champions League final last May as Jurgen Klopp’s side started the season with a comfortable win over West Ham.
Liverpool’s bench offered a true measure how much stronger Klopp’s squad is. Adam Lallana and £40-million (R725-million) midfielder Fabinho were unused substitutes. Alberto Moreno and Dominic Solanke did not even make the squad, while Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are yet to return from injury.
“I think that kind of competition, you have to get it, in a team like Liverpool,” said midfielder Wijnaldum.
“Manchester City and Chelsea, with the new signings that they’ve made, have it also. I think each position there is competition and it’s good at Liverpool.
“I think we have the quality to compete with Manchester City but I also thought we had the quality last season. If City’s going to play like they did last season then it will be really hard because they only lost two games and a few draws.
“If you want to compete with them, you can barely drop points.”
Defender Virgil van Dijk also feels Liverpool’s added strength in depth will be a factor this season.
“It’s very important at our club. Everyone needs to be ready even if they are not in the squad now. You need to be ready when we need you. Everyone realises this,” said Van Dijk.
There is a marked improvement in options when compared to the climax to last season, when Liverpool’s midfield was depleted, in rehabilitation or – in the case of Juventus’s new recruit Emre Can – minded to make a move to Italy.
Naby Keita enjoyed a particularly productive start following his much heralded move from RB Leipzig.
“He has a lot of qualities. He can provide assists, he can score goals. He showed it in Germany,” said Wijnaldum.
“He can keep the ball and give us – I don’t want to say time to rest – time to keep the ball as a team. I think he can regain the ball, his counter-pressing is good. I think he’s a good signing for us.”
On the evidence of the first victory, one of the more susceptible areas of Klopp’s side will be stronger.
“We feel that we can do something special. We felt it last year also. But feeling is one thing, doing it is the second one,” said Wijnaldum.
Having waited six months to join Liverpool last season, Van Dijk’s impact can also be measured by the fact his side has not conceded a Premier League goal at home since February.
“We had a good pre-season with good results and games where we’ve played very well. But we can do a lot better and it’s just the start,” said Van Dijk. “I think the key is we need to be very consistent and do it every game. We want to challenge.”
The Dutchman is likely to be paired with youngster Joe Gomez for a while longer as Lovren is unlikely to return for several weeks.
“I’ve played a couple of games pre-season with Joe at centreback and I have a very good relationship with him,” said Van Dijk. — The Daily Telegraph