In 2023, Liverpool saw a year of transition. Jordan Henderson left, and the Reds failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in Jürgen Klopp’s tenure.
During the summer, Alexis MacAllister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru End, and Ryan Gravenberch joined to strengthen the midfield, but James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left. Roberto Firmino left, but Cody Gakpo had already been brought in to replace him in January.
Things appear to be considerably different now, as we approach 2024. Liverpool was struggling at this time last year, but things are looking up now. The Premier League crown is up for grabs to whoever can be the most consistent.
Overall, this is an exciting time to be a Reds fan. Things have been going well thus far this season, but the coming months could be much more exciting. Darwin Nez, for example, has a lot more potential to be developed, and Thiago Alcântara will hopefully return soon. Here are three things Liverpool.com predicts will ‘certainly’ happen in 2024.
New contracts sorted out
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have contracts expiring in less than two years. In each of their cases, Liverpool should be attempting to re-sign them. That trio, along with Alisson Becker, are the most essential players in Klopp’s side.
Renewal decisions for all three of those players will be taken sometime in 2024. If it gets to 2025 and there is no news, it will be quite late in the day. Thiago and Jol Matip are both out of contract at the conclusion of the season, thus definitive choices on those two must be made in the coming months.
Virgil van Dijk’s first trophy and return to the Champions League
Whether or whether Liverpool can win its first trophy since winning the FA Cup the season before last, a return to the Champions League appears to be a certain conclusion (a league title win is still possible). Next, we’ll talk about the possibility of a top-four finish and the ramifications.
Getting some trophy, or even reaching it to a final, would be a huge step forward for those players who have never done so at Liverpool. Getting to that first major final with his new club would be a really valuable experience for someone like Szoboszlai, and it would help him in the future.
Liverpool summer signings… and ideally one in January too
What are Liverpool’s long-term priorities? The main one is likely to be a left-sided center-back, with a holding midfielder as well. Then there are the voids that may need to be filled depending on who departs.
Another problem is that the Champions League will be expanded next season, resulting in more games. There will be eight group matches instead of six, as well as additional knockout matchups. That implies that there may be a need for greater depth in areas other than those that are visible right now.
Is it possible to sign a sixth attacking player, for example? Perhaps someone who can play as an attacking midfielder and a forward would be the best option in terms of minutes (hello, Florian Wirtz), but that will have to be considered in the transfer market.
It is something that all clubs will have to consider in 2024, particularly those that have opted to have a little smaller roster this season (such as Manchester City). Pep Guardiola may need to be active in the transfer market in the coming months.