Liverpool entered the 2022/23 season with high hopes and a strong desire to challenge for trophies, following their near miss at achieving a historic quadruple the previous year.
However, the season turned out to be a major disappointment for the club, as they fell far short of expectations and ended the campaign without any silverware.
One of the primary goals for Liverpool was to compete for the Premier League title, but they were unable to mount a serious challenge.
Additionally, they faced the heartbreak of failing to secure a top-four finish, which meant they would not be participating in the Champions League for the first time in six years.
In this analysis report, we reflect on the key highlights and events from Liverpool’s 2022-23 campaign.
THE STATISTICS:
Final Premier League position: 5th
FA Cup: Fourth round
Carabao Cup: Fourth round
Champions League: Last 16
Community Shield: Winners
Top scorer: Mohamed Salah (30 goals)
Most assists: Mohamed Salah (16 assists)
THE SUMMARY:
Liverpool fans were left reeling after the conclusion of the 2021-22 season when Sadio Mane expressed his desire to leave for a new challenge, eventually joining Bayern Munich.
In response, the club made a significant investment by signing Darwin Nunez from Benfica for £86m. This move raised eyebrows as some questioned whether the funds would have been better used to address an aging midfield unit, many of whom had contracts expiring soon.
Despite a mixed pre-season, the Red’s fortunes seemed to improve when they defeated Manchester City 3-1 in the Community Shield at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.
However, their season got off to a disappointing start with come-from-behind draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace, the latter resulting in Nunez receiving a red card early in his Liverpool career due to an ugly headbutt.
The situation worsened when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, despite the Red Devil’s own struggles at the beginning of the season.
After their disappointing loss to Man United, Liverpool quickly rebounded by securing a resounding 9-0 victory over Bournemouth, equaling the record for the biggest-ever win in the Premier League.
They followed up this triumph with a late 98th-minute winner from Fabio Carvalho against Newcastle United, a result that gained more significance as the Magpies emerged as top-four contenders as the season progressed.
However, consistency proved to be a challenge for the Reds throughout the campaign, and it took them six weeks before their next league victory.
Nonetheless, they experienced success in the Champions League during this period. Despite an initial 4-1 defeat to Napoli, they managed to defeat Ajax and Rangers twice, including a dominant performance where they scored seven goals against Rangers at Ibrox.
Jurgen Klopp’s continued to display their ability to defeat top teams with a 1-0 win against defending champions Manchester City. However, the team suffered a setback as Diogo Jota sustained a long-term injury during that match.
Liverpool’s inconsistent form was evident when, just six days after their victory over Manchester City, they suffered a frustrating loss to Nottingham Forest.
Despite this setback, they managed to secure wins against West Ham United and continued their progress in the Champions League with victories over Ajax and Napoli.
However, their momentum was halted with an 89th-minute defeat to Leeds United at Anfield, resulting in back-to-back league losses for the first time since March 2021.
The team managed to recover heading into the mid-season World Cup break, as they defeated Napoli, sparking a run of four consecutive victories across different competitions. They tasted victory over Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton in the league and progressed in the EFL Cup.
During the mid-season break, Diaz experienced a setback in his knee injury recovery, and upon their return, Liverpool were eliminated from the EFL Cup by Manchester City.
However, they resumed their strong league form with victories over Aston Villa and Leicester City after the Christmas period.
The beginning of 2023 brought a shift in fortune, as Liverpool endured a dismal start, winning only one of their first six games.
They were eliminated from the FA Cup and suffered consecutive league defeats against Brentford, Brighton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, which left them in 10th place in the table.
With their hopes of finishing in the top four appearing bleak, the Reds embarked on an impressive run of five consecutive unbeaten matches, keeping clean sheets along the way.
This streak included 2-0 wins over local rivals Everton and a 10-man Newcastle United, culminating in a resounding 7-0 victory over their arch-rivals Man United.
However, in typical fashion for Liverpool’s 2022-23 season, the pride derived from that result was short-lived, as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth in their next match, the same team they had previously thrashed 9-0 earlier in the season.
The club’s Champions League campaign ended in disappointment as they were eliminated by Real Madrid. Despite a promising start in the first leg at Anfield, Madrid emerged as 5-2 winners.
In the return leg, the Spanish side secured a 1-0 victory, repeating their triumph over Liverpool from the previous season’s final.
The defeat in the Champions League marked the end of Red’s chances for a major trophy in the season. Their form took a further hit with a convincing 4-1 loss to Manchester City, highlighting the growing gap between the two teams that had previously been English rivals.
However, the extra time on the training ground following their Champions League exit allowed Klopp to experiment with a new formation, which involved a hybrid role for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had faced criticism for his defensive performances throughout the season.
The new formation showed immediate benefits as Liverpool finished the season with an 11-match unbeaten run, including a seven-game winning streak, which was their most successful run of the campaign.
During this period, they staged a comeback from a two-goal deficit against Arsenal, recorded a 6-0 victory over Leeds, and won a thrilling match against Nottingham Forest. They also appeared to address their struggles away from home that had plagued them throughout the season.
Liverpool’s remarkable run included a thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham on April 30. Their winning streak was halted by a draw against Aston Villa in their second-to-last game of the season, effectively ending their hopes of finishing in the top four.
The match provided a farewell opportunity for departing players James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Roberto Firmino. Firmino made his farewell memorable by scoring the equalizing goal, giving the Anfield crowd a reason to celebrate his departure.
Liverpool’s season was characterized by a rollercoaster of highs and lows, culminating in a chaotic final game against Southampton where they were held to a 4-4 draw. This result perfectly symbolized the unpredictable nature of their campaign.
Although the season included some memorable moments, it will be predominantly remembered as a major disappointment for a team accustomed to competing at the top under Klopp.
The mixture of extraordinary highs and lamentable lows created a sense of chaos throughout the season.
LIVERPOOL’S BEST PLAYER OF THE 2022/23 SEASON: MOHAMED SALAH
After the departures of Mane and Firmino, Mohamed Salah remains as the sole remaining member of Liverpool’s renowned front three that played a pivotal role in the team’s success in English and European football.
Despite a disappointing overall season for the team, Salah continues to shine and show no signs of slowing down. He impressively reached the milestone of 30 goals in all competitions, accompanied by 15 assists.
Salah concluded the season in exceptional form, achieving several remarkable accolades along the way. These include surpassing Robbie Fowler’s records for the most Premier League goals for Liverpool and the most left-footed goals in the history of the competition.
Additionally, he surpassed Michael Owen’s record for the most away Premier League goals for the club, solidifying his place in Liverpool’s history.
The Egyptian star has climbed the scoring charts at Anfield, surpassing revered club legends such as Owen, Dalglish, Fowler, and Gerrard to claim the fifth spot on the all-time list. Only Liddell, Hodgson, Hunt, and Rush have scored more goals for the club.
Incredibly, Salah has finished as Liverpool’s top scorer in each of his six seasons at the club. Only Owen (seven seasons) and Hunt (eight seasons) have enjoyed longer spells as the team’s leading goal scorer.
While the star winger experienced some periods where he didn’t reach his usual high standards, especially during the team’s early struggles, his ability to post impressive numbers despite those challenges is a testament to his remarkable achievements.
Across all of Europe, only Haaland and Mbappe contributed to more goals directly than Salah. It is worth acknowledging the significant contributions of Alisson Becker as well.
The goalkeeper played a crucial role in keeping Liverpool afloat during the initial two-thirds of the season, often helping out his team with important saves.
LIVERPOOL’S GOAL OF THE SEASON: DARWIN NUNEZ VS REAL MADRID
Liverpool’s season was marked by a spectacular display of goals, leading some to believe they had a shot at another quadruple. However, football is not solely judged by goal-scoring prowess; defensive proficiency is equally important.
🇺🇾 This is what Darwin Núñez is all about…
Outstanding at Anfield 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/ewUdrU2SiM
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 22, 2022
Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and even Harvey Elliott showcased their impressive finishing skills throughout the season.
However, the standout pick for a remarkable goal goes to Darwin Nunez for his skillful flick against Real Madrid in the Champions League. This moment left most fans in awe.
LIVERPOOL’S SIGNING OF THE SEASON: CODY GAKPO
While Nunez made an impact with his memorable goal, it is arguable that Cody Gakpo was a better fit for Liverpool following his arrival in the winter transfer window.
Klopp received criticism for his increasing influence in transfers, but his decision to transform Gakpo into a number nine resembling Firmino started to pay off in the latter part of the season.
This was particularly evident during Liverpool’s impressive seven-match winning streak from April to May.
LIVERPOOL’S MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE SEASON: STEFAN BAJCETIC
Liverpool’s decline can be attributed in part to the lack of improvement among their existing squad members, with many experiencing significant drops in performance.
However, there is a glimmer of hope for the future in the form of Stefan Bajcetic. The young player demonstrated impressive maturity and aggression before unfortunately suffering a season-ending injury in March.
Despite the setback, Bajcetic showcased promising potential for the Reds.
LIVERPOOL’S GAME OF THE SEASON:
LIVERPOOL 7-0 MANCHESTER UNITED
Liverpool went to the match with a newfound sense of consistency in the league.
However, Man United arrived with an unbeaten streak of 11 games, recent EFL Cup victory, impressive performances against Barcelona, a 10-point lead over Liverpool in the table, and hopes of a Premier League title challenge. Hence, many considered them as favorites for the game at Anfield.
Despite various highlights throughout the Red’s campaign, the undeniable standout was their astonishing 7-0 victory over United in March.
It was a display of complete dominance as Liverpool delivered a remarkable performance. Moreover, in that match, Mohamed Salah became the club’s all-time leading scorer in the Premier League, adding to the joyous atmosphere at Anfield.
Liverpool went into halftime with a 1-0 lead, but whatever Klopp said during the break had a transformative effect on the team.
In the second half, they emerged as an entirely different force. Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, and Mohamed Salah each scored two goals, while Roberto Firmino also found the net.
The match against their fierce rivals ended with a resounding 7-0 victory for Liverpool, which became Man United’s joint-heaviest defeat ever and their first 7-0 loss since 1931.
It was a reality check for United in an otherwise promising campaign, leaving them to recover from the heavy blow.
For Liverpool fans, this result will be remembered for generations to come. It stands out as one of the most unforgettable moments in the club’s history, not just in the context of the season.
THE FAN FAVOURITE RESULT:
Following their previous humiliating 6-1 loss to Newcastle, Tottenham seemed destined for another difficult afternoon when Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah all scored within the first 15 minutes of the game at Anfield.
However, Harry Kane managed to pull one back for Tottenham five minutes before halftime, and a goal from Son Heung-min in the 77th minute raised hopes of a remarkable comeback for the visitors.
In a surprising turn of events, Richarlison, often portrayed as a villain, seemingly completed the turnaround with a scrappy goal in the 93rd minute.
The goal not only stunned the Anfield crowd but also prompted the former Everton player to celebrate by taunting the home fans and removing his shirt, marking his first Premier League goal since his transfer from Goodison Park in the summer.
After Richarlison’s controversial celebration had resulted in goals being disallowed twice earlier in the season, he found himself in a similar situation at Anfield. However, his joy was short-lived as Diogo Jota produced a remarkable winner just 99 seconds later.
ICYMI: Klopp hurt his hamstring celebrating Jota's winner 🤣 pic.twitter.com/eiVHtcfwQ8
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2023
Seizing on a loose pass from Lucas Moura, Jota fired a precise shot into the bottom corner of the net, sparking wild celebrations among the Liverpool fans.
The intensity of Jurgen Klopp’s celebration was such that he ended up pulling a hamstring, adding a touch of drama to the already frenetic scenes.
This crucial victory kept Liverpool’s hopes of finishing in the top four alive at the time, making it a memorable moment for the team and their supporters.
WHAT DIDN’T GO RIGHT FOR LIVERPOOL?
Liverpool’s decision not to sign a new midfielder proved to be a costly one as their lack of depth in that area became a defining issue of their season.
Instead, the focus of their recruitment was on bolstering the attack with the acquisitions of Gakpo and Nunez.
However, this plan seemed to be ineffective, as Nunez struggled to fit into the team as a traditional center-forward, disrupting the fluidity of Liverpool’s dynamic front line consisting of Salah, Gakpo, Jota, and Diaz.
Nunez’s poor finishing further compounded his difficulties, with his goal return falling well below the expectations for an elite striker.
The midfield woes became more evident as the season progressed, primarily due to a decline in intensity. Additionally, Arthur suffered from injuries throughout most of the campaign.
Thiago, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho emerged as the most frequently utilized midfielders, which showcased the limited options available to Liverpool in that area.
Injuries played a significant role in the club’s issues. While much scrutiny was placed on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive performances, the lack of consistency in the defensive partnerships alongside him also contributed to the team’s struggles.
Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, and Fabinho, who formed the defensive axis, only started four games together after early October. Liverpool managed to win three of those matches and drew the other.
Furthermore, there was a noticeable loss of belief within the team that persisted from late summer to spring.
In the previous season, Liverpool had been able to gather 20 points from 12 league games in which they conceded the first goal, averaging 1.67 points per game.
However, between August and early April, they could only accumulate nine points from 13 games under the same circumstances.
This poor belief eroded the team’s aura and the confidence that they could secure victory in any given match.
A POINT FOR THE MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP
This season, Klopp has shown signs of being unsettled. Like many top managers, he values control, and there was a period where he appeared helpless in addressing the midfield issues.
It must have dawned on him and the club that they made a mistake in not acquiring new midfielders last summer.
However, it is evident that Klopp is determined to bounce back. While missing out on the Champions League is difficult to accept, the German is using it as fuel to motivate his players.
Liverpool will learn from their mistakes and undoubtedly be more competitive next season. Klopp’s drive and determination suggest that he will continue pushing forward with more energy.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL IN THE SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW?
It is widely recognized that Liverpool needs to actively participate in the upcoming transfer market, prioritizing the acquisition of a few new midfielders.
This season, the team faced numerous issues stemming from a decline in midfield performance, with Fabinho notably falling below his previous standards and players like Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara showing signs of aging.
Additionally, with James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all set to depart at the end of their contracts, the midfield department is likely to require significant restructuring.
Even considering the adjustment made to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role towards the end of the season, there is a clear need for substantial changes to bolster the midfield.
Jude Bellingham, who was previously seen as a top target, is no longer being pursued by Liverpool. However, there have been several players linked with a potential move to Anfield.
In addition to midfield reinforcements, Liverpool is also reportedly interested in securing a new right-back and centre-back. There is a possibility of needing a backup goalkeeper if Caoimhin Kelleher departs.
Fortunately for Liverpool, their track record of player signings during the Klopp era has been impressive, with the majority of their acquisitions proving to be positive additions to the team.
OUR FINAL VERDICT FOR LIVERPOOL’S 2022/23 SEASON
It’s difficult to find a positive outlook on the season, especially when compared to the team’s previous achievements.
However, Liverpool managed to end the campaign on a high note with an impressive unbeaten run in their final 11 games, winning seven and drawing four.
Various factors, such as injuries and a lack of reinforcements, have been cited as reasons for their underwhelming season. Ultimately, their on-field performances fell short of expectations.
Looking ahead, Klopp and his team will need to display remarkable character and quality in order to regroup and return stronger in the next season.
There are signs that the team can regain their winning form, but it will require a more robust squad to bolster their chances of competing for major trophies.
