Liverpool's attack well-equipped to help challenge for honours next season

And breathe. 

Liverpool put their supporters through the whole gamut of emotions on Sunday, as they edged out Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 in a topsy-turvy encounter at Anfield. The Reds stormed into a 3-0 lead within a quarter of an hour, then proceeded to not so much take their foot off the gas as pull the key out of the ignition and have a nap on the bonnet. 

Tottenham duly fought back and levelled the score through Richarlison in second-half stoppage time. But the drama was not done there, as Diogo Jota capitalised on a mistake by Lucas Moura to notch the winner in front of a delirious Kop end. 

The top four will probably be out of reach for Liverpool, but they are at least keeping the heat on Newcastle and Manchester United above them. Victory over Fulham on Wednesday would see the Reds move to within four points of the Champions League spots, at least temporarily. 

Even if Liverpool ultimately fall short, it is important that they finish the season strongly. That would boost the mood around Anfield and allow them to carry some momentum into what looks set to be a pivotal summer. 

Jurgen Klopp has already announced that Liverpool will be active in the upcoming transfer window. Midfield is the area most in need of strengthening, and the Reds may also be looking to bolster a backline that has been far from imperious this term. 

The attacking part of the team at least offers cause for optimism. Even with Roberto Firmino set to depart when his contract expires next month, Liverpool have an abundance of options at the top of the pitch. 

The recent return to full fitness of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz has served as a useful reminder of that fact.  

The former has been in fantastic form of late, notching back-to-back braces against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest before coming off the bench to score the winner against Spurs. Before his double at Elland Road, Jota had gone more than a year without a goal at club level. 

Crucially, the Portugal international contributes plenty even when he is not scoring. His ability to press from the front is vital, especially after Sadio Mane’s departure last summer. He also moves intelligently, finding pockets of space across the frontline, while his versatility is another important asset. 

"He is an exceptional player, super smart, can play a lot of different positions, he has super interesting skills for an attacking player," Klopp said of Jota last month. 

Diaz’s availability is another timely boost for the run-in. The Colombia international made a fantastic start to his Liverpool career after joining the club last January. He instantly made the left-wing berth his own, forcing Mane to move into the centre. But Diaz spent six months on the treatment table before making his return in the 6-1 thrashing of Leeds. 

Had he and Jota been available for the entire campaign, Liverpool would surely be closer to the top four right now - if not in it. Their return has allowed Klopp to take some of the spotlight off Darwin Nunez by using his agent of chaos off the bench rather than as a starter. 

This has been a mixed maiden campaign for the Uruguayan, who has missed a fair amount of chances. But while Nunez is clearly raw, he has still scored 15 goals in all competitions. 

"Darwin is a player with a different skillset to our other players which is good. He’s a real handful, a machine. He will score a lot of goals, and he’s scored a decent number already," Klopp has said of the former Benfica frontman. 

Cody Gakpo has had a more convincing start to his Liverpool career since moving to Merseyside in the winter window. Klopp has primarily used him in a central role, where he acts as a false nine like Firmino rather than as an out-and-out centre-forward like Nunez. Gakpo links the play expertly, making Liverpool’s attack more cohesive. In 14 Premier League starts, the Dutchman has scored six goals. 

Mohamed Salah has been virtually ever-present in 2022/23. This has not been his most productive season but the Egyptian has still contributed 17 goals, a tally bettered only by Ivan Toney, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland. 

Liverpool have been some way short of their brilliant best this term, but their attack looks well equipped for an improved campaign next time around.