Liverpool’s Jay Spearing, foreground right, gets past the tackle of Real Madrid’s Rafael van der Vaart, left, during their Champions League second round, second leg, soccer match at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2009. AP Photo/Paul Thomas
As the kick-off of the 209/10 EPL season approaches, once again the Liverpool faithful dare to dream that this will be the year that the club’s title drought is broken.
In recent times, Liverpool have had their fair share of success, notably the breathtaking 2005 Champions League final and the equally dramatic 2006 FA Cup triumph.
But ask any Red Half Merseysider which trophy they would want the most and the answer will invariably be the league.
The romantics will tell you that it has been twenty years since their last Championship and that this year, the title is their destiny. After coming within four points of United last season, and with no notable player departures, Liverpool may have the formula to take the crown come May next year.
The talent is undeniably there.
As it stands, with the likes of Reina, Carragher, Alonso (if he stays), Mascherano, Gerrard and Torres, Liverpool have arguably the most formidable spine in England. The question is: who else in the squad is going to step up and make a title defining contribution?
Glen Johnson is a smart signing and will provide some attacking impetuous down the flanks, but for the most part it will need to be contributions from the wider squad to get them over the line.
Ryan Babel is one who needs to stand up and be counted.
Benitez has thrown his support behind him this summer in attempt to build his confidence. Babel needs to repay this faith and develop into a 15 goal a season winger.
Dirk Kuyt’s and Yossi Benayoun’s commitment and application can’t be disputed, but the key question is can they give you anymore? Can someone like Ngog have a breakout year and become a reliable partner for Torres?
If it all comes down to how herculean Steven Gerrard is and how many goals Fernando Torres needs to score, then it could be another year of heartache on The Kop.
If they are ever going to win a maiden Premier League title, this is the year to do it.
United are searching for a fourth consecutive title, which would be a record, but they will need to do it without the most gifted player of the last decade in Ronaldo. His departure cannot be underestimated. There is no player United can buy to fill that void.
They still have all the characteristics to push for the Championship, but they may not replicate the 90 points from last year. This is Liverpool’s opening, if they can push past 85 points, it may just be enough.
Arsenal can challenge Liverpool on the day, but over the year it is hard to see the Gunners’ young paper thin squad consistently winning enough to be a realistic title challenger. Manchester City continues to flex their financial muscle and they will have a bigger impact this term, but it looks to be a case of too much too soon.
Chelsea oozes class and confidence and will believe that they can win everything this year. And they can.
The question mark lies with Carlo Ancelotti. Can he get the team gelled and firing on all cylinders as Guus Hiddink did?
Like most sports, there is a window of opportunity for clubs to reach the pinnacle. Chelsea and City have unlimited funds and if United aren’t winning, they won’t keep their cheque books hidden for long.
Liverpool has been knocking on the door for the past few seasons and if they can find that extra ingredient, the Reds may finally clinch that elusive title and reclaim the record as England’s most successful team.
Mattay
Guest
Cech - yes a poor season by his standards, but at the end of their careers, Cech will be seen as a better keeper than Reina Carvalho - well I just disagree with the fact he's past it and the fact he and Alex are fighting for the 2nd CB spot is testament to Chelsea's depth. Both are better than the definitely over-rated Carragher (last ditch tackles are not the things great defenders are made of). Lampard - Gerrard is definitely better, but Lampard is still good enough to be included in the best spine in the Premier League. And yes, I did leave out 2 very good midfielders and Deco, again testament to their depth. Anelka - well, they used to say the same about Andy Cole, and Inzhagi. He won the golden boot last season and he's Chelsea's number 2. Who's Liverpool's? Kuyt - enough said. Drogba - Not as good as Torres, but still very good and IMHO when he gets going, there are few better to watch. Still leaves out Malouda and Kalou who are still better than Liverpool's non-Torres attacking options. Not to mention Joe Cole and Belletti. Gee, I'm starting to sound like a Chelsea fan here. All you've really done is confirm the obvious. Liverpool have 1 great midfielder and 1 great striker. If they don't fire, they'll be luck to finish 3rd. Man U and Chelsea to go 1 and 2 (either way). Arsenal to battle Liverpool for 3rd and 4th.
Colin N
Guest
"Benitez is not merely a cheque-book manager, he’s one with a misguided penchant for second-rate Spanish wide players and fullbacks." A completely accurate statement, and this is a clear reason to why Liverpool haven't won the title under Benitez, and until last season, hadn't come close. I saw somewhere that Benitez has signed 70 players in his reign at Liverpool.
Knives Out
Roar Guru
'to a lesser extent the ever disappointing Spurs.' How are Tottenham ever dissapointing?
KDKane
Guest
Cech - Poor season, riddled with mistakes and heart in mouth moments. Not better than Reina Terry - Fair play. A leader (Like, the definitely NOT overrated, Jamie Carragher) Carvalho - Old, past it, always injured & behind Alex even when fit? So how can you say anything about the writer only naming one centre back? Essien - Class. He and Mascherano are the best DM's in the world Lampard - Just NOT as good as Gerrard Anelka - Not the greatest striker in the world, a goal for every 10 easy chances Drogba - No where near the consistant quality that Fernando Torres offers. P.S. You forgot Ballack/Deco/Mikel who are nowhere near Xabi Alonso put together. 86 points last year with the best goal difference in the country? No Ronaldo? OAP's at the Bridge? Liverpool for the title. 3rd my foot.
Hammer
Guest
The squad is still too shallow and overly reliant on Gerrard and Torres .. throw in the othe major factor that Benitez can't help himself with non stop tinkering - I can't see them grinding out the necessary results
FIsher Price
Guest
Every pre-season it is claimed that this will be Liverpool's season. I see nothing in their squad that suggests so. Sure, last season they challenged strongly, but I think Liver fans will look back on that as a mised opportunity. It doesn't necessarily follow that an improvement will be made - look at Arsenal 07/08 as opposed to Arsenal 08/09. With a defensive-minded manager there's too much reliance on a couple of individuals, and if either Torres or Gerrard are out for any length of time their League campaign will falter badly. Benitez is not merely a cheque-book manager, he's one with a misguided penchant for second-rate Spanish wide players and fullbacks.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Liverpool must sign another quality striker to partner Torres, IF we can do that I give us a real chance. The other ongoing problem that must be overcome is dropping easy points particularly at home. That cost us the Championship last season. The fact we drew with Stoke twice summed it up.
Mattay
Guest
Yep, must be July when you see these articles coming out. For the record, I'd rather: Cech-Terry-Carvalho-Essien-Lampard-Drogba-Anelka Notice you only had one defender in your Liverpool spine, and that was the over-rated Carragher. Liverpool's undoing will obviously be their depth, but also their reliance on Gerrard and Torres (cue everyone wheel out the stats of games won when Torres was out of the side - you also had Robbie Keane then as well, maybe he was the missing key in the 2nd half of the season). Liverpool to finish a gallant 3rd.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
A third Ben W???
Ben W
Roar Rookie
It is actually neither of those Ben's. Ultimately if they sustain injuries to key players and the fringe players don't pull their weight - Liverpool will struggle - But after 20 years it might just be their year. I am actually a Gooner, but alas you have to be realistic about who is going to push for the EPL title this year.
Infarction
Roar Rookie
Even though i am not a Scouser it would be pleasing to see them finally win again this season. Gunners will fall out of the top 4 replaced by Everton with 5th and 6th fought out between Arsenal, Man City, Villa, West Ham and to a lesser extent the ever disappointing Spurs. Looking forward to a great EPL season ahead..
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Is this Ben Willing, or the other Ben W who used to post on the Flog?? Agree that 'pool's spine looks pretty good - but then you go through names like Kuyt, Benayoun and Voronin, and one starts to wonder whether they have the overall depth and spread of talent to sustain a challenge for 9 months.
Midfielder
Guest
AHHHHHhhhhhh All together now ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nfFi-_Hb2A