Liverpool FC Season Preview

Although I only started this blog 2 days ago, this is the fourth post. Having not been able to wait until the Premier League fixtures are confirmed, I thought I’d write about other things instead. My team of choice, Liverpool, are facing a struggle to get back into the top four this season. Under new manager Roy Hodgson, I assess their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, and winning some silverware.

Summer Signings

Joe Cole shows his Liverpool colours after signing on at Anfield

Hodgson made a statement right from the word go by luring Joe Cole to Anfield. Having been tempted by other clubs, Cole felt he would be most at home with Liverpool. The tricky winger can cut inside and score goals out of nothing. His service to Fernando Torres will have to be good, and with Cole lining up next to Steven Gerrard, the Kop attack will be given a new dimension. The gaffer has also signed Danny Wilson from Rangers. The defender was thought by many to be a good signing, but in truth I don’t think he will get many games at all with Carragher, Agger, Skrtel and Kyrgiakos all above him in the pecking order.

Many players have been rumoured in to Liverpool in the past week or so, but will depend on money from either new owners or the sale of Javier Mascherano, who wants to leave the club for family reasons. Barcelona and Inter Milan are interested in the holding midfield player, who will cost around £20 million. Kenny Huang and Yahya Kirdi seem the other source of transfer spends, with the Chinese and Syrian battling it out to succeed Tom Hicks and George Gillett. If either make money available, then Hodgson’s main aim will be bringing in a new striker to either partner Torres or cover when the Spaniard is injured. A few days ago, it seemed that Peter Crouch was going to return to Anfield with a transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, depending on them signing Nice striker Loic Remy first. As a fan of Peter Crouch myself, I was saddened to see interest in him drop recently. The new target seems to be Carlton Cole, who scored 10 goals in 26 starts for West Ham last season. The English forward would cost Hodgson around £12 million though, a high demand.

Christian Poulsen in action for Denmark

Liverpool recently confirmed the signing of Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen from Juventus. His move, costing around £10 million will be funded by the exit of Javier Mascherano, who wants to leave the club for family reasons. Also, Shaun Wright-Phillips has been told he can leave Manchester City, due to their oversized squad which has had to be cut down following the Premier League’s new rules. Liverpool and Arsenal are the clubs most interested in the winger, who would fit in nicely on the right flank of Hodgson’s team.

League Ambitions

After the shocking season for The Reds that was 09/10, where they finished a lowly 7^th, it can surely only get better. Having brought in the new players, Liverpool look a stronger side than that of last season, where injuries to Gerrard and Torres were a major blow to the campaign. The team that has been assembled this season would have almost definitely finished in the top four of the 09/10 season, but it must be noted of the improvements the other teams have made to their squads. Last season’s champions Chelsea have landed Yossi Benayoun and have almost got their hands on Brazillian midfielder Ramires, who can replace the departed Michael Ballack. I’m sure you’ve also heard Manchester United fans going crazy about new striker Javier Hernandez. The Mexican can play one-twos with team mates and sprint past defenders and is tipped to be one of the players of the season. Arsenal have snapped up a star in Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh. The ex-Bordeaux striker, who netted 10 Ligue 1 goals and 5 Champions League goals last season, chose The Emirates over Anfield.

Manchester City show off £24m signing David Silva

Manchester City too have signed about 600 new players, or so it seems. German full back Jerome Boateng, Spanish winger David Silva, and Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure have all joined the club.

Hodgson’s men will have a tough time in this season’s Premier League, with up to 5 teams in contention for the title. Of course, they have the perfect goalkeeper to help them to at least a top four finish in Pepe Reina, who for two years running received the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for keeping the most clean sheets in a season (05/06 and 07/08). But they can’t just rely on Reina. Defenders Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel will be the main men in front of him, letting through as little as possible. If those two need cover, full back’s Emiliano Insua and Glen Johnson will be able to help out, as well as going forward and hopefully getting crosses into the penalty area. Midfielders Gerrard, Aquilani, and now Poulsen will be carrying the ball from defence to attack, and supplying the wingers with crosses. Currently it looks like Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole will be given this job in the ‘Best Eleven’, but a swoop for Wright-Phillips will give the manager another option. Up front, it looks like it will still be French striker David Ngog filling in when Torres isn’t around, unless funds are made available. Dirk Kuyt also deserves a mention, as he scores in big games and can play out wide or up front. This team is looking as strong as ever, but as always with Liverpool the question is where is the depth? Promisingly, the reserves sauntered to a 2-0 victory in the Europa League qualifier with Rabotnicki Skopje of Macedonia. I hope that they gained experience from the victory, and are able to make the jump into the first team when the big names need a rest. A 38-game season is long, and no doubt Liverpool will go through bad patches, but I’m sure this squad has the ability to reinstate Champions League football to the club.

Cup Dreams

The Liverpool fans would love to see some silverware at Anfield like in 2006

With so much emphasis on finishing in the top four, I’m not sure that a cup run will be high on the wish list. Personally, the cups are my favourite part of the season, with giant killings and plenty of goals. Since our FA Cup success in 2006, the fans have been disappointed with results. Fortunately though, Roy Hodgson has experience in cups, after reaching the final or the Europa League against all odds last season. He should lead the club to at least the quarter final stage. Domestically, The FA Cup should also see a good run for Liverpool if the draw is kind. Home draws against lower league opposition until the later stages will be important, as reserve players can be fielded, and the first teamers given a rest. Similarly, the Carling Cup will be one to look out for too, as Liverpool look to consider every piece of silverware.

My Predictions

Premier League – 4^th

Europa League – Semi Finals

FA Cup – Final

Carling Cup – Fourth Round (last 16)

Thanks for reading this post, and if you havn’t had a look at any of my other posts then please do. Any queries? Just pop a comment in the box below, or email me directly at bov94@hotmail.co.uk.

~ by bov94 on August 11, 2010.