As the World Cup nears its conclusion, focus will shift back to domestic football. Clubs have seen the break as an opportunity for a second ‘pre-season’ as they prepare for the rest of the season.
Liverpool and Everton have used the time effectively, holding training camps outside the UK; the blues took to Australia whilst Jurgen Klopp’s men are still currently in Dubai. August to November has been a difficult period for both teams across all competitions, yet the world cup break has provided a welcome opportunity to work on the training ground and prepare for the crucial upcoming months. With both sides suffering early season set backs, what can be deemed a successful season when club football returns?
Everton
Frank Lampard’s men currently sit 17th in the league just one point above the relegation zone. It has been a disastrous season so far for the blues with just three wins in 15 games and already out of one cup competition; fans fear another relegation battle is on the cards.
The defence has improved drastically with the summer signings of Connor Coady and James Tarkowski, though their attack still leaves a lot to be desired. The Toffee’s have managed just 11 Premier league goals this season and 12 across the board. To put that into perspective, Erling Halaand has 18 league goals. Anthony Gordon has scored the most with three but this is the area that needs to be dealt with for Everton to salvage a successful season.
Despite being a point above the relegation zone, they are only five points behind 9th placed Fulham. If the blues can finish in the top half of the table it should give them a strong footing for next year. The F.A. Cup should be a target. A good cup run would add to a strong end to the season should their league from improve.
Liverpool
It has been a rollercoaster so far as the reds as they find themselves in 6th place but through to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Whilst some would say that is a decent season, the standards set by Klopp in years gone by would suggests they have been in poor form. The break couldn’t have come at a worse time for Liverpool with back to back wins against Tottenham and Southampton. The side has been plagued by injuries, the return of a fully fit squad will be a good start for the return.
Although mathematically possible, winning the Premier League looks to be unrealistic, given the form and strength of Arsenal and Manchester City. The Gunners are leading the pack and are 15 points ahead of the Reds. Liverpool’s priority now must be sealing a top four finish to guarantee Champions League football for next season. Achieving this alongside a cup win in either the Carabao Cup, F.A. Cup or Champions League can be deemed a successful season for Jurgen Klopp and his side. The return of Diogo Jota will be a boost to the squad alongside Naby Keita, although fans will have to wait for Luis Diaz until March after picking up another injury.
If both clubs hit realistic targets both managers can look back on a successful season.
