The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

This year promised so much, but sadly for Liverpool, this term has been a very disappointing one. Coming into the season, it promised so much, but as the season wore on, it went from bad to worse.

Coming into the season, The Reds knew that they would have to adapt without the services of the stalwart Trent Alexander-Arnold, who decided to leave the club he had been with since he was a boy for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

It appeared, however, that Liverpool were prepared for his departure with the signing of former Manchester City trainee Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutch full-back was, of course, part of the all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen team that won the League and Cup double under Xabi Alonso.

In fact, the signing of Frimpong would start something of a splurge. Hugo Ekiteke, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, and, right towards the end of the transfer window, Alexander Isak were signed in transfer business that topped the £400 million mark.

Liverpool, of course, as they famously do, did balance the books. The Premier League champions on paper had a superb team, and they started the season off in ominous fashion, but after one defeat, it appeared the wheels came off.

An injury to record signing Alexander Isak (a broken leg) only compounded matters. If that wasn’t bad, then this year it’s blatantly obvious that Virgil Van Dijk isn’t quite the man mountain, Mr Silky Smooth, he once was.

To say that Virgil has been the only one struggling isn’t fair. Mohammed Salah, who enjoyed one of the best seasons during his time at the club last season, has had a massive drop-off in terms of goal output. The Egyptian hasn’t contributed many assists either.

In fact, this term, the biggest contribution Salah has made has been off the pitch, through off-field statements, both verbal and non-verbal. Mohamed Salah hasn’t spent longer unhappy with teammates, but rather with himself.

The failed signing of Marc Guehi, who is now a two-trophy winner with Man City, was also a bitter blow for this season. Last season’s rock-solid partnership of Ibrahima Konate and VVD hasn’t been as water-tight.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis McAllister both have disappointed this term. The players who were key to their success last year have not played well for periods this year. For a club like Liverpool, you will need to perform week in, week out; if you don’t, you will quickly get found out.

This year, it appears Liverpool has been somewhat found out. On top of all those issues, Alisson, the club’s reliable number one during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, has been injured for much of the time, and his deputy, Giorgi Mamardashvili, has not been up to standard.

Arne Slot looked set to lose his job, but with Xabi Alonso going for the Chelsea job, it appears that the Liverpool is going to back him, at least for the short term.