It’s fair to say it’s been a hugely disappointing start to the season for Liverpool. After being one of the best teams in world football over the past few years, winning major trophies along the way, it’s been a shock to the system to see Liverpool struggling this campaign.
Many assumed it would be business as usual and we’d see the Reds battling it out with Manchester City at the top of the table once again. However, an extremely poor start has left the Merseysiders well off the pace and defeats to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United left Liverpool languishing down in mid-table.
Jurgen Klopp’s side managed to get back on track with important wins over Tottenham and Southampton before domestic football paused for the World Cup break. However, Liverpool are still sitting sixth in the Premier League table having won just 6 of their 14 games so far [W6 D4 L4] and are in a battle just to finish in the top four this season.
Betting odds
As things stand, Liverpool are currently seven points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. They are a further point behind Newcastle United, 10 points adrift of Man City and a whopping 15 behind leaders Arsenal. However, they hold a game in hand over Spurs and Newcastle, and the bookmakers clearly think Klopp’s side are still capable of finishing in the Champions League qualification places this season.
City are still the bookies odds-on favourites to win the title and some betting sites are offering odds of just 1/200 they finish in the top four. Arsenal are priced at 1/33 to get back in the Champions League. Liverpool are then third-favourites to finish in the top four, with Klopp’s men priced at 4/7. Tottenham are currently backed to claim fourth at odds of 11/10 that they finish in the top four this season. Manchester United are 5/4 and Newcastle are 11/8 to qualify for the Champions League.
Therefore, despite currently sitting sixth, the bookmakers still make Liverpool odds-on to finish in the top four. If you ustilise welcome offers and casino bonuses you could get even better odds and improve your chances of winning even more money, so many fans may be tempted to back the Merseysiders.
Injury returns
Klopp obviously has a squad packed with quality, but they’ve been badly hurt by injuries so far this season. The good thing about the World Cup break is it will give some players the opportunity to regain full fitness.
Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are two important players for Liverpool but they’ve been out with serious injuries in recent weeks. The attacking duo will continue to work their way back to fitness during the World Cup break and could be available for selection when Liverpool resume their Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Arthur Melo and Naby Keita could also be back in contention next month so as long as no Liverpool players suffer fresh injuries at the World Cup or in training over the coming weeks, Klopp could have a much healthier squad to choose from when domestic football returns in late December.
This would obviously be a major boost for the Reds and help them in their quest to get back in the top four, and qualify for the Champions League next season.
