After an underwhelming 22/23 season, Liverpool’s midfield was the focal point of some criticism heading into the new campaign.

Last season saw an aging squad struggling to keep up with the high expectations set in recent years. It was clear Jurgen Klopp had to make changes.

What we saw were notable departures of captain Jordan Henderson, vice-captain James Milner and first team regulars such as Fabinho, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The sheer volume of exits provided a level of uncertainty as to whether Liverpool would be able to fill the gaps in just one summer transfer window.

However, the introductions of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch has not only provided Liverpool with an exciting foundation to build on but has also seen them seven points and six places better off than this stage last season.

The Anfield Wrap’s Josh Sexton told Mersey Sport Live: “What the likes of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Gravenberch have done is really hit the ground running and given Liverpool’s midfield a new level of dynamism, which Henderson and Fabinho lost over recent years.

“It’s given Liverpool a platform to be a much better attacking team once again by providing a foundation for the likes of Nunez and Gakpo to get among the goals, and for Jota and Salah to start firing again given they didn’t have the best of years last season by their own standards.”

Liverpool also have depth with the likes of Harvey Elliot and Curtis Jones who can only get better. Said Sexton: “I think the future is very bright.

“The new signings Liverpool did make in the summer are not old players. They’re still young players on the right side of their mid-twenties, and Jones and Elliot will feel they have every claim to be a part of that future with the ages they are.”

With Mac Allister deploying a deeper role than he did at Brighton, Liverpool also offer the joint best defence in the league after nearly a third of the season with Sexton adding how Virgil Van Dijk is “showing no signs of slowing down.”

The excitement surrounding Liverpool’s signings has created a real expectation around Anfield that Klopp’s side could see themselves in another title race this season.

Sexton added: “Liverpool’s midfield is looking a really exciting unit as a whole, the squad looks more bolstered going forward, and the forward line is pretty young.

“They’re in a really good place this season to achieve some success and in the future, I can’t see how Liverpool won’t build on this and continue to be successful.”

Liverpool will look to go top of the table as they travel to the Etihad tomorrow (Saturday) to face Man City in one of the biggest games of the season so far.

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