Liverpool fixtures

A potential Liverpool 'weakness' is nothing to worry about ahead of the new Premier League season. Virgil van Dijk and Bernardo Silva are living proof.

And the same is true of Liverpool, who likely envision Carvalho as a starting player at Anfield in a few years’ time. Bernardo played most of his football last season in the middle and in spite of what would appear to be physical limitations, he thrived. Bernardo did have to utilise some strength, holding off challenges with his trailing arm, and gym work will of course be important. If there’s a fear that he lacks the bulk for that role, then it’s misguided, and two of his compatriots prove it. But new arrivals may be struck most of all by the standard of athleticism. Aside from Mohamed Salah, who was in a league of his own, he was perhaps the best player in the division in the first half of the campaign, and he would earn himself a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for the second time.