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Liverpool icon Michael Owen has reflected on a campaign that most supporters of Arne Slot’s team would rather forget.

Even the most loyal Reds fans would admit that this has been a season best left behind.

After clinching their record-equalling 20th English league title under Arne Slot last season, Liverpool entered the current campaign as defending champions. However, their challenge quickly fell apart during the autumn period, leaving their title defence in ruins.

Although Virgil van Dijk and his teammates eventually steadied the ship to secure European qualification, the journey was fraught with difficulties. Reports of tension between the manager and key players, Mohamed Salah’s announcement of his desire to leave at the season’s end, and a seemingly endless injury list all contributed to a turbulent season.

With just one fixture remaining — a home clash against Brentford on Sunday, where a victory would confirm their place in next season’s Champions League — attention is already turning to rebuilding for the next campaign. Yet, former Liverpool striker Michael Owen admits there are very few positives to take away.

“Well, the positives are sort of the negatives as well, in many ways,” Owen told FourFourTwo while speaking on behalf of bet Champions League.

He elaborated, “The number of injuries we’ve picked up, and the fact that many of those players should hopefully be available again at the start of next season, is something that, while a negative now, could turn into a big positive soon.”

Owen added, “Hopefully a lot of them come back fully fit and ready to go.”

He pointed out that players such as Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, both of whom suffered serious setbacks, are among those whose return could significantly strengthen the squad next season. “There’s a lot of quality among the injured players, so their recovery should give the manager a real lift going forward,” Owen said.

Despite the disappointments, Owen did single out one player who has stood out during this otherwise difficult campaign.

“I think the form of Dominik Szoboszlai is one of the only obvious positives,” he noted.

“Honestly, it’s been far from an ideal season, and that, along with the expected return of several key players, are probably the two biggest positives Liverpool can take from it.”