Looking back to the crazy season that was 2013/14, we was lethal in front of goal scoring a unbelievable 101 goals and as we’ll all never forget coming in touching distance to the elusive premier league trophy, undoubtedly down to our deadly duo Suarez and Sturridge. Since then we’ve lacked that fierce attack we got so accustomed to week in and out. The next seasons suffered after the departure of Suarez and the seemingly never ending injury saga of Sturridge. In 2014/15 we managed a mere 52 goals mostly down to some bad replacements and no SAS. In the last season it looked like more of the same under Brendan Rogers after scoring 11 in 11 and conceding 13! Enough was enough we are Liverpool football club, we need excitement, pressing, attacking football. We got just what was needed, Jürgen Klopp who steered us to a 63 goal tally at the end of the season.

Here’s my question i’m putting to you, can we now with a fully fit squad hit the 100 goal mark once again? Doubters will say no, but let’s stop and think about our situation next season and the difference that points towards a different answer. Sturridge is now looking fit again and with the new fitness coach Andreas Kornmayer to push him on, shows maybe he could be looking at a full season in 2 years. There’s no question that if fit, Sturridge scores every other game as he proved in 2013/14 bagging 25 goals. Also Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings, where the last 2 seasons we’ve struggled with goal threat, now we’ve got it in abundance. Firmino although adjusting to the premier league still managed 10 goals and 7 assists, the most in 2016. The improving Origi, began to get in on the act scoring 5 in 16 games, not amazing but starting to look what we all hoped we’d signed, before his loan back to Lille. Ings who’s had injury problems of his own is now back and already catching the eye of many in preseason scoring 2 in 3. I’m aware only preseason and lower opposition but this goal poacher fit all season could easily hit double figures. Not forgetting Benteke who lets be honest look’s surplus and Balotelli who’s been told he’s not in Klopps plans. With the chances this Klopp team will create, I’m in no doubt our strikers will have no one to blame if there not scoring this season, because our goal threat doesn’t end there.

Along with our decent strike force is of course the fan favourite Philipe Coutinho, our very own magician. Who is a bag of tricks, occasional 30 yard screamers and not forgetting the odd dink near post. He scored only 8 goals in the league last season, but created 49 chances. The difference being this season is having the right players in front of him to use those chances. It seems Klopp is sculpting a all out attacking team to suit his gegenpressing style, by adding a strong, fast winger our team has craved for years in Sadio Mané. Who for Southampton last term managed 11 goals, not bad for a winger, considering that’s more than our top goal scorer in the league. There’s always going to be a few more goals cropping up with Lallana, Can, Henderson, Milner and new arrival Marko Grujic who’s done just that already in 45 minutes of football for us, preseason bear in mind but reasons to be optimistic. Not forgetting a host of youngsters chomping at the bit for first team action in Ojo, Woodburn, Smith, Kent and Ejaria.Basically where i’m going with this is with Klopps full throttle way of training and non stop pressure is making me start to think we could have our best goal tally yet. We’ve got no European football so can fully focus on the premier league, and maybe more importantly staying fit to keep up our way of attacking. Anyone remember what happened last time we had no European football to hinder our league form? Perhaps with a tightened, refreshed defense along with new additions Matip, Klavan and Karius. We can produce the goods but without the leaks at the back this time. Although these are nothing but stats and opinions, this is the first time post Suarez that I’ve been genuinely excited Looking at our team sheet and starting to wonder what we might achieve? With many sources now reporting a interest in Newcastle player Georginio Wijnaldum, just shows Klopp wants fitness, pace and goals from every angle. He played every game in 2015/16 and managed 11 goals in a team that got relegated, it’s clear he very fit and has individual talent, we’ll have to wait and see what happens on that front (Melwood lean).

We showed in that Europa league run that when fully focused on one objective we’ve got fight and determination to match anyone. Not the outcome we all wanted but if we treat the premier league with that same grit and it’s not the dog in the fight mindset, then what’s to say we can’t go on a crazy run again like 2013/14 and be the goal fest we all desire. On Sunday 14th August think we’ll start to have a better idea if the possibility of hitting a 100 goals is a reality? Doubters to believers?

Ben Webb

@benwebblfc