The Darwin Theory
Darwin’s theory of evolution will take time.
Liverpool will open their account with a win against Fulham, but we need to dig a bit deeper for clues about how the season may pan out and Darwin’s role
Liverpool will finish first or second – I’d bet my house on it.
But where we end up in the Premier League, should not necessarily define our season – as it did not with the last. That’s Aussie Red’s not so hot tip.
Whether it’s gold or silver in English football will not matter if we win the Champions League and we should not lose sight of the fact that we are the only team up for every trophy imaginable last season right to the death.
Ok, that’s not what you want to hear. So here is what I think will unfold. I’m cautiously optimistic we can win gold in England for a few reasons - but this will be tempered if we have a deep CL run.
Here’s why, with five subs Liverpool can manage games and any injury crisis (including the current one) more efficiently without crawling into the depths of academy/loan players. We now have depth that previously we never did.
What also fills me with confidence is the silly season that colours the optimism of rival clubs.
Our main rival City has brought in Haaland, who I am sure we can match with Darwin (more on that below).
When we don’t feel the need to buy in loads of players, that is more telling about squad confidence than rival clubs desperate to parade trophy square pegs - SIUUUUU.
Chelsea look a mess, United are still a joke and Arsenal/Spurs are not yet good enough, even if they have recruited well. Plus Arteta is a headcase – I hope the loud speakers are near his dugout as the Kop shows him what real Anfield is about.
Also, Liverpool has been very prudent in its summer business. The hierarchy knew Sadio Mane was planning to leave this time last year. He was never going to get the same level of salary as Salah, but, more importantly, he is a humble lad who wants to challenge himself and move on with our blessings.
What has been impressive about the way Julian Ward has gone about his business since taking over the purse strings from Michael Edwards, he’s picking the very top (realistic) young talent and moving fast.
Klopp – the best coach of developing talent in world football – wants new players in for pre-season, and the swift move to sign Darwin Nunez shows us why.
A rusty (pressure laden, by his own admission) start has been usurped by goals and a man of the match cameo at the Community Shield.
Look, here’s the deal with Nunez, he is a natural goal poacher with brilliant movement and will score goals. What inspires my confidence is that he appears to be a quick learner and when he was on the pitch against City, the defence was genuinely scared and scattered in how they dealt with him.
His movement is important, he can’t be a static marksmen or Liverpool’s attacking shape and transitional speed will break down. If Nunez nails the Klopp press - he will quickly become undroppable; what happens off the ball dictates Liverpool’s dominance on it. That’s a fact.
Nunez delivered movement and press that impressed as much as his eye for goal. Just whisper it, I think we have an absolute gem that will only get better and more clinical.
Our away fixture at Fulham should not be taken lightly. Under Roy, they shocked us last time they played at the top table.
I just don’t see the improvement or weapons they have introduced from the Championship that would bother us. In fact, I have Fulham as one of my relegation certainties.
But we must take the game seriously and kick off with a statement in mind. We have a bunch of injuries, which is concerning, and need to get the job done.
Dawin could well get his PL debut. But this won't be a theory of evolution for Klopp and his charges – more about tweaking and incremental gains, and it will be up to our Uruguayan striker to force a revolution at an otherwise brilliantly stable ship.
He either leads the line or enhances it.
I reckon Klopp has already worked this out, and we will enjoy watching it unfold this season, starting at Craven Cottage on Saturday.