---
title: "Liverpool 2017/18 season predictions Q&A"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/liverpool-201718-season-predictions-qa/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Brian Gosden"
section: "Articles"
published: "2017-08-10T14:01:59Z"
modified: "2017-08-10T14:12:54Z"
---

# Liverpool 2017/18 season predictions Q&A

With the season now incoming fast, we thought we’d take a look at a few predictions for the season ahead – for fun only!

Liverpool travel to Watford on Saturday to open their account, but what might the season hold for Jurgen Klopp and his Reds?

Here’s what Dan Wilcox thinks…

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### Where will Liverpool finish in the league?

This is a question that always gets asked and one that’s notoriously difficult to answer. With the transfer window still open, it’s difficult to even suggest how strong the Reds actually are.

Judging by the opposition, I think top four once again is achievable and would be a solid outcome. Man City and Man United have added the best acquisitions to their squad, for me. Chelsea and Arsenal have done bits but nothing that jumps off the page as a whole. Spurs… well Spurs have done nothing.

![Stanley Chou/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2017/08/820705388.jpg)

Based on that’s I’m going to say third. If we can do that and pick up a trophy somewhere, as well as go well in Europe, I’ll be delighted.

**Prediction: Third**

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### Top Goalscorer?

Again, tough to pick with how much attacking talent we’ll have on the pitch regularly this year and how spread the goals were this season.

![Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2017/08/820263494.jpg)

I do, however, have a feeling that Roberto Firmino will have a very good season. If preseason is anything to go by, he may well be the new penalty taker too, which is always good for the tally.

**Prediction: Firmino**

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### Key Player?

There will be a few I think, but I’m no going to be allowed to sit on the fence like that. I actually think this season’s key player could be one that’s not even at the club yet – Virgil van Dijk. Does that count?

If that happens, then he’s my choice. He could revolutionise our weakest point and change our fortunes this year.

![Stephen Pond/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2017/08/631140602.jpg)

If he can’t be my pick, then I’d have to say Mohamed Salah. So many times last year we failed to break sides down, especially when missing Mane. With the addition of Salah, we now have the option to have proper width – and quality width at that. He’d be my pick.

**Prediction: Salah (or Van Dijk)**

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### One youngster to watch?

Ooo, this is a very hard choice. We’ve got four that I think will/could play some part this season – Ben Woodburn, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Kent and new boy Dom Solanke.

![Victor Fraile/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2017/08/818792486.jpg)

Out of those, I’d have to say Alexander-Arnold, purely based on the fact I think he’ll play more. All four need to be watched carefully this season, though.

**Prediction: Alexander-Arnold**

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### Who needs to step up?

This may again end up depending on whether Liverpool make signings or not. Should Virgil van Dijk not make it to Anfield, then one player who needs to step up is Dejan Lovren. He’ll be partnering Matip as our first choice pairing at they need to be better than last season (more so Lovren than Matip).

![Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2017/08/817457618.jpg)

If Van Dijk does join, then Lovren will play a lot less I think. Another player who I believe needs to step up is Divock Origi. He’s been at the club for a few years now and has always given his best but regularly fallen a bit short.

All the talent is there, undoubtedly. But he needs to start stringing it together more consistently now.

**Prediction: Lovren or Origi**

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### Strongest XI?

From the current squad, as it stands right now – excluding any possible incomings – I’d go with…

![Victor Fraile/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2017/08/818774702.jpg)

**Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno; Henderson, Lallana, Coutinho; Salah, Firmino, Mane.**

I’ve omitted plenty of players there but that’s what I’d run with. Breaks my heart leaving Gini Wijnaldum and Emre Can out, believe me.

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