Lucas Leiva believes Liverpool will be Premier League contenders this forthcoming season after an underwhelming 2022/23 campaign.
The Reds finished 5th in the top flight, missing out on Champions League football, however, they managed to secure qualification to the UEFA Europa League – a competition they last participated in in 2016.
Jurgen Klopp is keen on revamping his squad after losing several players this summer. The German has already made two signings following the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively.
At least three more signings are expected to move to Anfield before the transfer window closes in September.
“The Premier League is becoming harder and harder each season,” Leiva told Liverpool Echo.
“When I first came there was competition between the top four, then it was the top six and now you could easily say top eight. It will be interesting. There have been a lot of changes in the team this year, but I’m really confident that with the players we already have, and the ones who will come, we will have a very good squad to compete with any team. Maybe a season where nobody expects Liverpool to be contenders, they can be.”
Mac Allister has impressed so far for Liverpool during their pre-season games and the former Brazil international expects the 24-year-old to settle quickly and churn out outstanding performances for the Reds.
“He is young still but already has a lot of experience,” the former Lazio midfielder added.
“Because he knows the Premier League, it should help him go into the team straight away and perform. Playing for Liverpool is not easy. You have a lot of pressure, you have to win games. But he has shown in the league he is capable. I’m looking forward to seeing him, as he has a lot of quality.”
Liverpool will travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in their Premier League opener on Sunday.
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