BT Sport Score - Episode 27
Apr 1Liverpool Fan’s Premier League Season Preview
After losing the Premier League title to Man City last season, we spoke to Reds fan John Gibbons about Liverpool's chances of regaining it this campaign.
Ahead of a brand new season of Premier League football on BT Sport, we spoke to fans of each and every team about their expectations for what lies ahead over the next nine months.
Talking all things Liverpool, BTSport.com spoke to John Gibbons of The Anfield Wrap to get his thoughts on the 2021/22 campaign.
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Hopes
We are gearing up towards a title challenge in this squad with the talent we have. Despite everything being thrown at them last season Liverpool still finished third and with fewer injuries and fans back in at Anfield we should aim to hit the ground running.
It's brilliant to see in pre-season we've got Joe Gomez, Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip all available and to have them back with Ibrahima Konate is huge for us. Having proper centre halves means Fabinho and Jordan Henderson can go back into midfield where they were really missed. Plus we've got Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane available from the off.
Man City will be strong again but it depends on who they can add and I feel like they've got more to do than us. Liverpool are a bit more settled, we've got quality throughout the pitch and they'll be so determined to get that title back. We are really confident in the team, the squad and the manager.
Fears
The African Cup of Nations is a worry because losing Mane and Salah is a worry. We could do with another forward option if we lose them halfway through the season. Divock Origi has been a good player for us but him and Takumi Minamino aren't the back-up forwards we need.
Generally speaking there's a few question marks about our midfielders' availability. The fitness of Henderson, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of is a bit of a concern an we can't be overly-reliant on James Milner - because he's 35 now - and Curtis Jones - because even if he's a quality player he's so young.
Most important player
Mohamed Salah – He was the one who stepped up last season when we were struggling and if he has a really good season again next year, then Liverpool can win that title back.
Rising star
Everyone is really excited to see much more of Harvey Elliott this year.
We've seen glimpses of his brilliance already but last year on loan at Blackburn he did really well and so it will be interesting to see what Jurgen Klopp has planned for him this season. He's incredibly talented and still so young. It feels like the sky is the limit for him.
What I’ve missed the most
I have missed everything about going to the game. Meeting your friends early in the day for a drink. The walk up to the ground, the sound of the turnstile... losing yourself for 90 minutes in something else.
But mainly I have realised how lucky I was to watch world-class athletes in the flesh every week a few miles from my house. Watching the likes of Salah play football is a privilege and I can't wait to do it again.
Prediction
1st. I’m gonna be confident. Everything coming out of the camp just seems so positive at the the moment so I’m gonna go for us to win back the title!
