Liverpool and a reflection on their turbulent 2020/21 season NewsNow
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Liverpool and a reflection on their turbulent 2020/21 season

Liverpool and a reflection on their turbulent 2020/21 season

This was definitely one of the most turbulent years in recent history for Liverpool.

This was a tough year for the world as well as Jurgen Klopp and his squad. Not only did the club suffer immensely from an injury crisis, but outside factors such as the death of Klopp’s mother and Alisson's father also played a role in the season.

It feels as though a massive pressure has been lifted from the shoulders of the defending champions as the season has now concluded.

Klopp recently admitted that this past year was the hardest of his life. Through all of this, he kept a level head and kept the squad focused on the mission at hand. Because of this, the German and his team deserve all the praise.

The season started off well, it was not until autumn that the crisis really began. When one of the club’s most important players in Virgil van Dijk was ruled out for the season many Liverpool fans including myself were devastated.

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is tackled by Jordan Pickford of Everton which led to Virgil van Dijk being substituted for an injury during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is tackled by Jordan Pickford of Everton which led to Virgil van Dijk being substituted for an injury during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

When the news of Joe Gomez’ injury was announced just a few weeks later, it almost certainly seemed the club was in a free fall.

Surprisingly, the club held up pretty well considering the two starting centre backs for the team were no longer available. With Joel Matip and Fabinho handling the centre back duties, the club had a comfortable lead at the top of the table.

Then, after Christmas, the club began to fall down the table, losing six home games on the bounce. The once-mighty fortress that was Anfield lost its formidable reputation.

It was a long and uncertain winter for the club as new signing Ozan Kabak bolstered the dire Liverpool backline.Up until the January transfer window, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were playing at the back, severely disrupting the spine of the team.

Henderson himself had a season spent on and off the physio table, missing 17 matches when it was all said and done.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool warms up during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on February 20, 2021 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool warms up during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on February 20, 2021 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Kabak shared the defending duties alongside the young Nat Philips and Rhys Williams with Fabinho filling in where needed and by March, Klopp had fielded 18 different centre back partnerships. Centre back was not the only position suffering from the injury crisis as Naby Kieta missed a total of 23 games and Oxlade-Chamberlain missed 20 matches.

While the front three managed to steer clear of any serious injuries, their form was the worst seen in a few years. With Salah scoring 22 league goals, he was easily the most consistent attacker as Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino severely underperformed on the goalscoring front.

All things considered, the club made a decent run in the Champions League having been knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the competition. It would have been nice to have a better cup performance in the domestic cups but I can see why these competitions were not prioritised.

This season also saw some incredibly bizarre records set as Alisson became the first goalkeeper to score a goal for the club.

Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker (3L) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool at The Hawthorns stadium in West Bromwich, central England, on May 16, 2021. (Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker (3L) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool at The Hawthorns stadium in West Bromwich, central England, on May 16, 2021. (Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

This season also saw some bad records set as Everton beat Liverpool at home for the first time in over 20 years.

Additionally, the Super League saga threw a real wrench in the season as the proposed breakaway caught the attention of supporters, players, and managers for a few days.

That was of course until the dramatic turnaround from the Premier League clubs who withdrew from the league in the face of mounting public pressure.

There have also been some players who may have played their last games for the club.

The most notable being Gini Wijnaldum whose contract expires on June 30th. With it looking increasingly unlikely that Gini will be at the club next season, I am sure that I will join many other supporters in voicing my sadness for his departure. Five great years at the club and some extremely important and famous goals for the club have rounded off a successful Liverpool career for the Dutchman.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 23: ( THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool receive his applause from the crowd and the players at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 23, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 23: ( THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool receive his applause from the crowd and the players at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 23, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Naby Keita’s future at the club is also uncertain as the midfielder has struggled to find himself at the club over the past couple of seasons. That combined with a poor injury record may very well spell the end for Naby Keita at LFC. Joel Matip, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Divock Origi also have unclear futures at the moment.

In a time of turbulence, some young stars emerged from the shadows and proved their worth to the club by stepping up when it counted most. Nat Philips and Rhys Williams stepped up for the club and proved that they can handle the pressure of the big stage.

They will certainly have cemented their places in the first-team squad for years to come.

Curtis Jones also enjoyed a prosperous spell in the first team before injuries dragged him down.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Curtis Jones of Liverpool scores their team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group D stage match between Liverpool FC and Ajax Amsterdam at Anfield on December 01, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Curtis Jones of Liverpool scores their team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group D stage match between Liverpool FC and Ajax Amsterdam at Anfield on December 01, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Overall, it is always disappointing when the club ends the season without silverware.

But all things considered, it was as successful of a season as we could ask for having secured Champions League football on the last day of the season.

We are in for an interesting summer as the club looks ahead to next season and getting back to winning ways.

It will be interesting to see who joins and who leaves the club. The players should hold their heads high and come back next season fit, ready to play, and hungry for trophies.

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