2023/24 was supposed to be a season of transition at Anfield, with four new midfielders and a new captain following the departure of Jordan Henderson, many fans would’ve been happy with a place in the top four. Instead, Liverpool’s injury crisis is easing with the club still able to win all four competitions that they entered.
A 1-1 draw with Manchester City, in which The Reds had the better chances was earned without Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, and Curtis Jones. To make matters worse, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, and Stefan Bajcetic are all long-term absences. Mo Salah was deemed fit enough for half an hour from the bench and has only played four games for Jurgen Klopp’s side in 2024.
Last Word On Football looks at the breakout stars that have stopped Liverpool’s injury crisis from derailing their season and assess their role in the squad now players are returning.
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Caoimhin Kelleher
Liverpool’s poor 2022/23 season and Europa League qualification meant Caoimhin Kelleher was set for his most active campaign as Alisson’s backup. Seven Premier League starts is probably even more than the 25-year-old could have anticipated.
The Republic of Ireland international didn’t start the term well, looking shaky against Toulouse in the Europa League and Fulham in his first Premier League start of the campaign. Clearly, the lack of game time had badly affected Kelleher’s shop stopping and positioning. He only played two matches for Liverpool in the second half of 2022/23.
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The 25-year-old has already beaten that record due to Alisson’s poor fitness and the increase in minutes has seen Kelleher’s performances improve throughout the campaign. The Republic of Ireland international’s current form is so good that looking at the statistics would make it seem like his Brazilian teammate was still between the sticks.
The Reds have conceded one goal per game with Kelleher in goal compared to 0.9 per game with Alisson starting. The Brazilian has a 75% save percentage compared to his colleague’s 74%. The difference is minimal and it’s part of the reason Liverpool’s injury crisis hasn’t ruined their season.
With Alisson’s injury rate increasing, The Reds may be tentative to let Kelleher leave Anfield this summer. However, the goalkeeper is ready to be a Premier League number 1 and should have plenty of suitors.
Wataru Endo
Another player who used the Europa League to find his form and fitness, Wataru Endo is now one of the most important players in Klopp’s squad. Against Manchester City, he gave fans a full demonstration of his quality. He made four tackles, two interceptions, and won six of his seven duels.
The Japanese international didn’t just shine defensively against Pep Guardiola’s side, he completed 95% of his passes as his forward thinking constantly got Liverpool on the front foot. Endo showed the quality of a midfielder who has been competing for trophies his whole career. It’s hard to believe his Stuttgart side were battling relegation last season.
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The 31-year-old initially struggled to settle in at Anfield. After playing poorly in his first Premier League start against Newcastle United, Endo didn’t make another league appearance from kickoff until November against Brentford. However, when Dominic Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister suffered injuries, the battling midfielder made the most of his opportunities. It is now hard to picture the team without the Japanese international at the base of the midfield.
It is hard to judge how many years he has left at the highest level, it has taken him the majority of his career to earn a place in a top team. However, the 31-year-old will be a useful option while Bajcetic recovers from injury and develops.
Conor Bradley
An injury in preseason put Conor Bradley at the back of every fan’s mind during the first half of the campaign. However, since returning, the 20-year-old has performed admirably and even caused debates about Alexander-Arnold’s best position.
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A loan in League One with Bolton Wanderers gave the young right-back a taste of Wembley glory when he won the EFL Trophy. Nearly a year later, Bradley was back at the famous stadium, this time representing his boyhood club. He started the game and showed the bravery that impressed fans throughout his breakthrough as The Reds won their 10th League Cup.
The fact that the Northern Ireland international was trusted to start such a vital game against Manchester City shows how well he has been performing. His standout performance came in the game against Chelsea at Anfield, Bradley scored his first Liverpool goal and registered two assists.
When Alexander-Arnold returns, his young teammate will likely get a well-deserved rest. However, as a more natural full-back, The 20-year-old may force his way into the starting lineup under Liverpool’s next manager.
