Liverpool experienced a rollercoaster of a season in the Premier League which concluded on a high note as they finally ended up securing a top-three finish in the league table by picking up a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend. However, this season has been far from easy for the 2019-20 Premier League champions as their title defence was hampered by multiple injuries to some of the key members of their defensive department.
Liverpool’s 2020-21 Premier League Season Review: Major Talking Points
The Reds initially did well to cope with their difficult situation by climbing to the top of the league table on Christmas Day through wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace in December.
However, the wheels came off their title challenge at the turn of the year as they struggled to find consistency in terms of results on the field. Some poor losses against Southampton, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion in the early months of this calendar year left Liverpool’s hopes of retaining the title in tatters.
However, the Merseyside giants managed to battle through their dire injury crisis and ended the season strong with five wins on the spin which includes their famous victory over West Brom earlier this month when Alisson Becker scored a last-minute winning goal. The incredible run of form helped them secure a hard-fought third-place finish in the Premier League standings.
Liverpool’s Best Players Of The Season
Nathaniel Phillips
The English defender did well to fill in as a first-team centre-back at Anfield when the club were in dire need of a commanding figure at the back following the long-term injuries to Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. Phillips had an excellent season as he caught the eye by averaging 1.3 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 4.8 clearances per game in the Premier League (stats via whoscored).
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian international once again ended the campaign as the Merseyside club’s top scorer as he banged in 22 goals in the Premier League. Salah also chipped in with five assists in the final third and deserves credit for carrying the attacking workload even when things were looking grim on the field.
Alisson Becker
The Brazilian keeper endured an injury-plagued season and went through a lot of personal struggles as he lost his father at the start of this year. However, despite making a few mistakes at the back, Alisson rose to the occasion when his team needed him the most and produced a few match-winning displays towards the end of this campaign. As mentioned earlier, his outstanding last-minute winning goal against the Baggies ended up helping the Reds extinguish their fears of missing out on Champions League football in the upcoming campaign.
The 28-year-old finished the season with ten clean sheets to his name but conceded 32 goals in 33 league matches which he would be eager to improve on in the coming years.
Key Moments
Liverpool’s 7-2 meltdown vs Aston Villa: 4 October 2020
The Reds’ humiliating 7-2 defeat against the Villans at Villa Park back in October stands out as the lowest point of Jurgen Klopp’s season. The German manager’s desire to go gung-ho for an unlikely comeback proved to be very costly as Dean Smith’s men ended up putting seven goals past Alisson in what turned out to be a nightmare day at the office for the Merseyside giants.
Liverpool’s 7-0 Demolition Of Crystal Palace To Go Top Of The Premier League Table: 19 December 2020
Liverpool managed to earn a convincing 7-0 victory over the Eagles at Selhurst Park which ensured that they finished at the top of the Premier League table on Christmas Day. Not only was it a moment that saw the Reds exorcise their demons from Villa Park, but also it turned out to be the highest point of their campaign.
Alisson Becker’s Winning Goal In The 2-1 Win Over West Bromwich Albion: 16 May 2021
Alisson stepped up and scored a priceless match-winning goal for the Merseyside outfit versus the Baggies earlier this month when he found the back of the net with a well-timed header that helped Liverpool’s turn their fortunes around for the better and secure Champions League football for another season.
