Liverpool Football Club has a long and storied history, and a big part of that is the squad photo. It’s a snapshot in time that captures the team for a particular season, and the 2023/24 edition is no exception.
The official squad photo for Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool 2.0 was recently released, and it’s a sight to behold. Key departures have shuffled positions, with Virgil van Dijk now sitting next to the manager and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the opposite side after taking on the roles as captain and vice-captain.
Youngsters Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley take their place in the photo, all with a role to play this season. They make up three new faces when compared to the 2022/23 squad photo, with 10 player departures ensuring it is a new-look side.
Klopp has been vocal about his love for this team in recent weeks, especially after seeing its spirit having needed to come from a goal behind to win on four occasions already.
In his pre-West Ham programme notes, Klopp wrote: “I have said that this team is one that I love already, and I think in our opening five league games people will have been able to share that kind of feeling. At a club like Liverpool it is not possible to just love a team at the end of its journey, it has to start when it begins. Of course, you can see the imperfections and the things that need to improve. You can also have moments when it isn’t as easy to believe but hopefully with this team our supporters are able to see what it is about and also the possibilities of what it could become.”
It’s clear that Klopp has high hopes for this team, and they have already shown glimpses of their potential. With the squad now locked in for the 2023/24 season, the focus shifts to on-field performance and the hope is that this team can live up to its potential.
The Departures
The 2023/24 squad photo looks quite different from the previous season, with 10 players departing from the club. The most notable departures include Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara, and Andy Robertson.
These players were integral members of the team over the past few seasons, and their absence will be felt on and off the pitch. However, their departures have opened up opportunities for younger players to step up and prove themselves.
The New Faces
The departures of some of Liverpool’s most experienced players have opened up opportunities for some of the club’s younger players to make an impact. Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley are three of the new faces in the squad photo, and they will be looking to make an impact this season.
Doak is an 18-year-old midfielder who has been with Liverpool since 2019. He has made two appearances for the first team so far and will be looking to add to that tally this season. Quansah is a 19-year-old defender who joined Liverpool from Dutch side FC Twente in 2021. He has made one appearance for the first team so far and will be looking to cement his place in the squad this season.
Finally, Bradley is a 20-year-old midfielder who joined Liverpool from Irish side Derry City in 2020. He has yet to make an appearance for the first team but will be hoping to get his chance this season.
The Expectations
Klopp has high hopes for this team, and they have already shown glimpses of their potential. With the squad now locked in for the 2023/24 season, the focus shifts to on-field performance and the hope is that this team can live up to its potential.
The team has already shown they can come from behind to win games, but they will need to be more consistent if they are to challenge for silverware this season. The new faces in the squad will need to step up and prove themselves if they are to make an impact this season.
It’s an exciting time for Liverpool fans as they look ahead to a new season with a new-look team. The 2023/24 squad photo provides a glimpse into what could be a special season for Liverpool Football Club.
