The new boys
New season, new signings and anticipating the impact they could have is always one of the most exciting things at this time of year. Centre-backs Joel Matip, a Cameroon international, and Ragnar Klavan, the first Estonian to wear the red of Liverpool FC, have arrived from Schalke 04 and FC Augsburg respectively. Goalkeeper Loris Karius, signed from Mainz 05, was voted one of the three best keepers in the Bundesliga last season – Reds fans will just have a to wait a little while longer to see him as he recovers from his hand injury. With 20-year-old midfielder Marko Grujic also ready to make an impact after winning the Serbian title with Red Star Belgrade last season, Dutch attacker Gini Wijnaldum vowing to create fresh history for LFC, and new striker Sadio Mane set to dazzle football grounds up and down the country, the prospect of seeing them all perform in a red (or green) shirt is rather tantalising.
A full pre-season? Check
“In this league it is the only time when you can only train,” said Jürgen Klopp in the summer, stressing just how important pre-season has been. When he was in charge at Borussia Dortmund, Klopp used pre-season to get his players fitter than those at rival clubs and, during his first pre-season as Liverpool FC manager, he was attempting to do the same by focusing on training sessions, not friendlies. “If we played our best in pre-season then I’ve done something completely wrong. It’s another session, it’s not about beating our opponents.” The fitter they are, the quicker they'll press and the harder they'll be to play against.
We've got a bigger ground
With 8,500 extra seats being added to our expanded Main Stand, taking the total capacity to around 54,000, Anfield has got a new look and feel for 2016/17. More seats and more tickets should also mean more noise and when you think how loud Anfield has been on the big nights with 45,000 present imagine the decibel levels with all those extra Reds inside? They'll be able to hear us on the Wirral.
When a season ends in seven
In 1947, Liverpool FC won the league title. In 1977, Liverpool FC won the league title, European Cup and shared the Charity Shield. In 1987 and 2007 we reached cup finals and in 1997 we probably should have won the Premier League and reached the European Cup Winners Cup final. So, while a season ending in a seven might not always end with silverware, history suggests that the Reds tend to find themselves in contention for trophies. Which just happens to be Jürgen Klopp's plan for 2017.
Divock Origi's potential
The Liverpool FC squad is littered with potential but perhaps the most exciting talent is that of Divock Origi. The Belgian international was in fine form last April – netting home and away to Borussia Dortmund, twice against Stoke City and at home to Everton – only to suffer a nasty injury against the Blues. With a year at Anfield and the experience of playing in Euro 2016 also behind him, it could be a big season for the 21-year-old.
Danny is back
Having suffered an ACL injury shortly after Jürgen Klopp's appointment, Danny Ings will be chomping at the bit to show the Liverpool FC boss what he is capable of. The dynamic striker scored three goals in nine games, including one in the Goodison derby, before suffering his injury. Fingers crossed for defender Joe Gomez, too, who was similarly sidelined by a cruciate injury last season and is currently recovering from an Achilles injury – he'll only come back stronger.
No Thursday night distractions
Let's be honest, losing the Europa League final to Sevilla and missing out on Champions League football was a disappointment, but from every negative can come a positive. As fun as reaching the final of the Europa League was, playing every other Thursday and Sunday takes it out of a squad and the stats show that the Reds failed to win eight out of 12 Sunday matches immediately after playing in the Europa League. The boys won't have that distraction this season.
Christmas at Anfield
Advocates of a winter break may disagree, but Christmas wouldn't be a traditional Christmas without Liverpool FC in action. This year there are games on Boxing Day and New Year's Eve but instead of having cold turkey in Hull or singing Auld Lang Syne in Swansea, the fixture computer has kindly given the Reds home games against Stoke City and Man City. Altogether now... 'Oh come ye, oh come ye to Annnnnnn-field...'
Firmino's second season
How many times have you heard an expert say that it takes a year to settle into English football before a player can show his true form? Like a million, right? If such a claim is indeed true then we're in for a treat watching Roberto Firmino this season. The Brazilian attacker struck 10 Premier League goals in his debut campaign – his best ever 'first season' total at a club – and having netted 22 times for Hoffenheim in 2013/14 you can't help but think his best is still to come.
Olympic Stadium visit
When the Reds won at AFC Bournemouth in April we became the first club to win at 50 different Premier League away grounds. This season we'll get the chance to make it 51 due to West Ham quitting Upton Park for the 60,000-seater Olympic Stadium. Travelling Kopites, who will now pay a maximum of £30 thanks to the away tickets price cap, will have a bit of a wait to visit – West Ham is our final away trip in May 2017 – but it'll be worth it if Jürgen Klopp 'does a Usain Bolt' down the touchline to celebrate a goal!
