Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool will finish the 2022/23 season strongly and expects Jurgen Klopp's men to hit the ground running after the World Cup break.
The Reds have made a mixed start to the campaign, having won just six of their 14 Premier League matches so far - sitting sixth in the table. However, Klopp's side have made it through to the last-16 of the Champions League despite finishing second in their group, setting up a mouth-watering tie against Real Madrid.
In the Carabao Cup, the Reds are through to the fourth round and will face Manchester City in their first game back after the six-week lay-off due to the Qatar World Cup. Liverpool then face Gerrard's former club Aston Villa in the Premier League on Boxing Day, before making their return to Anfield against Leicester City on December 30.
Liverpool will be desperate to improve on their early season form and former Red Gerrard has no doubts that his old side will get back to their best when they return to action, and feels they can use this period like a second pre-season. The 42-year-old, who was sacked as Villa manager back in October, told Liverpoolfc.com: "Yeah, it is [like a second pre-season]. It’s an opportunity to get a lot of work in on the training ground [and] reset a few things.
"I’m sure Jürgen and his staff are doing a lot of things tactically but [it’s] also an opportunity to have a much-needed rest. They’ve played a lot of football over the last few years, they were involved in every competition last year.
"So to have a small pre-season before a ball was kicked [and then] to have this opportunity to rest and then have a second build-up, I’m hoping that Liverpool come flying out of the blocks.
"I expect a really strong six months and finish to the season because important players have had the chance to rest and recover and the players [who have been] in the World Cup should come back full of confidence, in a good place, physically ready. I expect a really strong, exciting finish to the season for the Reds."
Liverpool spent part of the mid-season break out in Dubai as they prepare to face City next week, with the Reds facing Lyon in their first friendly last Sunday. Although the Reds fell to a 3-1 defeat thanks to an Alexandre Lacazette brace and Bradley Barcola's second-half strike, it was a chance for Klopp's men to have a much-needed run-out.
Having spent the best part of a week in the Middle East, Liverpool will take on AC Milan in another friendly on Friday afternoon with Darwin Nunez available. Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Djik, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson have still not returned following the World Cup break. Mohamed Salah, Thiago and Joel Matip were amongst those to feature against Lyon.
