With much of the same squad still available to manager Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool will be able to draw plenty from their 2019 Champions League success. The Reds have a settled squad and with that experience from three years ago in the locker, there’s plenty of optimism this side can go all the way in Europe’s elite competition once again.
Core Group Still At Anfield
Such has been the success at Liverpool in recent years it’s not surprising that not many have decided to move on to pastures new since the last Champions League success in the 2018-19 campaign.
Liverpool are currently priced at odds of 49/20 to win the tournament, according to the outright markets for betting on the Champions League. Many a Champions League prediction would have backed the Reds to challenge for the trophy and, with the wealth of experience in the squad, it’s easy to see why.
From the starting lineup that beat Tottenham in the 2019 final, only Georginio Wijnaldum left for pastures new. However, Wijnaldum’s move to Paris Saint-Germain has not gone according to plan and the Dutchman himself has accepted he may have been better staying at Anfield.
With the rest of the starting XI still mainstays in the first-team under Klopp, the current side knows exactly what it takes to go all the way in the Champions League. With their Premier League title success in the 2019-20 season, the winning mentality has only grown at Anfield, as Liverpool have established themselves as one of the top teams in Europe once again.
While the Reds had to battle to finish second in their group back in the 2018-19 campaign, they managed to win all of their pool games this season. Home and away wins over AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and FC Porto show how far this team has come. Overcoming Inter Milan in the last 16 was no easy task either, but again, the Reds saw off the challenge of the Serie A champions to reach the quarter-finals.
Duo Provide Added Quality
While Klopp knows his players can look to their past experiences in Europe to help them in their quest for Champions League glory this season, there are some newer faces who have added quality to the squad. Diogo Jota is enjoying his second season at Anfield and has managed to force his way into being a regular starter under Klopp. Jota has edged ahead of Roberto Firmino in the pecking order at Anfield and is shining alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
The arrival of Luis Diaz over the January transfer window has also come as a massive boost for Liverpool in their hopes of domestic and European glory this season. Diaz has hit the ground running since his arrival from Portuguese giants Porto and has added further quality to Liverpool’s outstanding attacking lineup.
With Jota and Diaz’s abilities, added to a squad that has already lifted the Champions League trophy, there is rightly optimism about what Klopp’s men can achieve in Europe this season.
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