Why Liverpool now have a squad that can win the Premier League

Written by Guest.

The odds on Liverpool winning the Premiership title have plummeted after they brokered a £67 million deal to sign Alisson from Roma. The goalkeeper department was their biggest weakness and they have fixed it in emphatic fashion by snapping up the in-demand stopper. It is a real statement of intent, as Alisson keeps Man City’s Ederson out of the Brazil team, and Liverpool are building a side to depose Pep Guardiola’s men as champions. The Reds now have a starting 11 that looks outrageously strong and they should fear no one heading into the new campaign.

Their transfer dealings this year have been extremely impressive. Virgil Van Dijk is one of the world’s best centre-backs and he has tightened the Reds’ backline. Fabinho is a solid defensive midfielder who will bring bite and discipline to the side, making them harder to break down. Naby Keita brings energy, dynamism and magnificent athleticism and he should play the box-to-box role with aplomb. That plugged three of the four most glaring holes in the team, and now Liverpool have solved the final problem.

Alisson was one of the world’s most in-demand goalkeepers after proving his worth for Roma and Brazil. Ederson was a revelation for Man City last season, but Alisson is top dog for the samba boys as his shot stopping abilities, handling skills and control of his area are all superb. Liverpool have broken a long-standing world transfer record for a goalkeeper by signing him, finally eclipsing the eye-watering fee that Juventus paid for Gianluigi Buffon all the way back in 2001. Alisson could end up becoming as much of a legend as the famous Italian stopper.

READ: Jurgen Klopp provides update on potential transfer outgoings 

TERESOPOLIS, BRAZIL – MAY 24: Goalkeeper Alisson Becker in action during a training session of the Brazilian national football team at the squad’s Granja Comary training complex on May 24, 2018 in Teresopolis, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

READ: Jurgen Klopp admits there is pressure on his team to deliver silverware this season 

Liverpool now boast the world’s most expensive goalkeeper and the world’s most expensive defender. They have spent £242 million on four new players that are approaching their primes and ready to walk straight into the first team. Van Dijk, signed in January, has already been a revelation, and the other three should have a similar impact. That is an amazing statement of intent from a team that already looked extremely strong. They forked out another £12 million for an exciting talent in Xherdan Shaqiri, and the Swiss could excel in a bigger team like Liverpool.

He looked great at the World Cup, as did Jordan Henderson and Dejan Lovren. Mohamed Salah was unplayable last season and he should continue that fine form alongside the magnificent Roberto Firmino. They form a fearsome attacking triumvirate with Sadio Mane, with the likes of Adam Lallana, Dominic Solanke, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings all able to come in and do a job. Joel Matip provides more competition at the back, and exciting full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson should continue to improve. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still to return, and Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner offer further options in midfield. This is a squad that looks perfectly capable of winning the Premiership.

A review of betting websites will show you that the world’s leading bookmakers still make Man City the odds on favourites to defend their crown. But Liverpool are second favourites, ahead of Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham, and the odds on the Reds are dwindling all the time. They are the most popular choice among punters and understandably so. Liverpool have already beaten Man City three times in 2018, dumping them out of the Champions League, and they have shown far greater ambition in the transfer market thus far. This is a strong squad without any real weaknesses and they have a talented manager who can motivate them to achieve great things, so Liverpool look like a great option to win the title next season.

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