After finishing third in the Premier League last season, Liverpool were back to their best in the 2021-22 campaign.
Besides Jurgen Klopp’s side winning both domestic cups and reaching the finals of the Champions League, the Reds were within striking distance of Manchester City until the final day. However, a late surge at the Etihad saw the Premier League trophy return to Manchester for the fourth time in five seasons.
After a quiet summer that only saw the arrival of Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool began the season relying on individual brilliance from Mo Salah, who scored a remarkable ten goals in his first nine league games, including a hat-trick in a 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, the early draws played a major role in why Liverpool finished second, as they drew to a 10-man Chelsea, as well as drawing 3-3 to Brentford and 2-2 to Manchester City in two of the most thrilling matches of the season.
After a 1-0 loss to Leicester and a 2-2 draw to Chelsea at the start of the new year, Liverpool caught fire, picking up all three points in ten straight league matches (despite missing Mo Salah and Sadio Mane for AFCON) en route to a crucial contest against Manchester City in April, where a Mane goal just after the half ensured they received a share of the points.
However, it all came crashing down with a 1-1 draw with Tottenham. Heung-Min Son stunned the Anfield crowd with a 57th-minute goal, while Luis Diaz’s equalizer was only enough for a draw. Liverpool continued their winning ways after this point, gaining nine points in their final three matches, but it was not enough for a league title.
Exceptional, @MoSalah 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uo95LOMEHg
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 22, 2022
Liverpool led the league with only 26 goals allowed and Allison won the Golden Gloves with 20 clean sheets. Mohamed Salah also earned the gold, winning the Golden Boot and Playmaker of the Season. Besides Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota pitched in with 16 and 15 goals, respectively.
Liverpool Player of the Season
In a team with a wealth of talented footballers, no player stood out like the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah. Salah scored 22 goals in 34 matches this season, earning himself the Premier League Golden Boot. As for a standout moment, Salah scored a world-class goal back in October against Manchester City, a goal which proved crucial in keeping the Reds in the title race.
Reds’ Signing of the Season
Liverpool needed a spark in the January transfer window, and they found the perfect fit in FC Porto winger Luis Diaz. He has come into the squad and immediately found his place, scoring 4 goals and 3 assists in 12 league appearances. Diaz has brought flair to Merseyside, and his €45million transfer fee is already looking like a bargain.
Unsung Hero of the Season
Joel Matip had only started 17 Premier League matches in the past two seasons, as injuries took their toll on the Cameroonian. In a fully fit 2021-22 campaign, Matip paired well with Virgil Van Dijk in one of the league’s strongest backlines. Matip was named Player of the Month for February and scored three goals to go along with his defensive work.
Rating: 8/10
Despite the disappointing end, it’s hard to consider the Liverpool season a disappointment. Two trophies in England and the potential for a seventh European triumph make this a season to remember on Merseyside. However, the final day has to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Reds fans. A rating of 8/10 is fair, as Liverpool were on the cusp, but fell just short of unmatched glory.
Summer Signings
Liverpool’s already begun their summer window with one in and one out. Cult hero, Divock Origi, is leaving for AC Milan, while the young Fulham winger Fabio Carvalho will be arriving after January negotiations failed to get over the line.
Carvalho adds youth to a talented group of attackers, while Origi will be in search of playing time with the winners of this year’s Scudetto.
The club’s top priority this summer appears to be adding a young midfielder to learn under Thiago and Jordan Henderson, both of whom are over 30 years old. Reports say they are targeting 21-year-old Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as well as 18-year old Borussia Dortmund star, Jude Bellingham.
The Reds also could be in the market for a winger to replace Sadio Mane, if he departs, with West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen being a prime candidate to join. Another key will be resigning Mohamed Salah to a contract extension.
In any case, Liverpool will be hoping to finish this season strong with a Champions League trophy, before they regroup and take another stab at the Premier League crown.