You will find very few Liverpool fans predicting a Title challenge for their team. The reason is not the players on the field, it is merely the humility beaten into them by 21 years of waiting for an English Title.
In addition to the frustration of constant failure to win the league, Liverpool fans have also been forced to watch bitter rivals Manchester United break their record of 18 English Championships.
For a long time the fact that their club had won more league titles than any other is the only straw Liverpool fans had left to clutch, as they argued against the superiority of Arsenal, Chelsea and United.
It was also typical to hear Liverpool fans confidently exclaim in August that this was the year the drought would be broken, only to be disappointed before Easter rolled around.
Ironically, the lack of that optimism could be a big positive for this year’s squad. Pressure is elsewhere, with United expected to defend their title, Manchester City expected to compete after spending billions of dollars and Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is expected to bring immediate success.
In addition to this, Arsenal are under the ever growing pressure of Arsene Wenger failing to win a trophy of any kind, and watching an exodus of the club’s best players leaving the Emirates Stadium.
With the pressure elsewhere, manager Kenny Dalglish will be pleased his current squad can fly under the radar without the added pressure from the terraces. If Liverpool string results together, they will experience a feel good factor and support from the terraces that has not been ever present at Anfield.
The feeling of excitement and support from the terraces is becoming less and less frequent at the top end of the game today, in this era of taking success for granted. A buzzing Anfield can turn into a fortress that will serve the club well over the long haul of a season.
The management staff of Liverpool is also a big reason the club could finally make the breakthrough. The legend status of Kenny Dalglish at the club allows him to claim a credibility and aura in the dressing room enjoyed only by Sir Alex Ferguson in the Premier League.
Can you really imagine any player sitting in an Anfield dressing room and questioning Kenny Dalglish? It would be like a current England player criticizing a member of the 1966 World Cup winning squad.
It is also easily forgotten that Kenny is the only modern manager to win the English Title with two different clubs.
There is obviously one more key (and most important) ingredient to a title challenge, and that is the playing staff. Liverpool have experience, depth and quality in this department.
Pepe Reina is one the Premier League’s most able and reliable goalkeepers, while veteran Jamie Carragher anchors a back line that includes some young and talented defenders.
In midfield, Lucas Leiva is a hard worker and better than most give him credit for, while new signings Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam add new blood and playmaking ability. All three new signings have the ability to keep possession for the Red’s and create goal-scoring opportunities.
At the sharp end of the field both Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll can finish off those chances. Both are good finishers, and both cause problems for the opposition in very different ways.
Suarez can get the ball into feet and cause problems by slicing through defenders and moving the ball at pace, whereas Carroll is an old fashioned battering ram forward harking back to a bygone era.
Depth is certainly no problem at Anfield either, in many seasons past the Red’s have been accused of being a “one man team.” It is worth noting that man was Steven Gerrard, and the inspirational captain is yet to play a game this season. When Gerrard does return it will provide both a personnel and emotional boost.
From the bench this season Liverpool have been able to bring on World Cup Finalist Dirk Kuyt and Raul Mereles. That pair finished last season as two of the form players in the team, and will continue to provide spark this season.
While Reds fans will whisper it quietly, a contender may well emerge from Anfield by the season's end.
For a long time the fact that their club had won more league titles than any other is the only straw Liverpool fans had left to clutch, as they argued against the superiority of Arsenal, Chelsea and United.
It was also typical to hear Liverpool fans confidently exclaim in August that this was the year the drought would be broken, only to be disappointed before Easter rolled around.
Ironically, the lack of that optimism could be a big positive for this year’s squad. Pressure is elsewhere, with United expected to defend their title, Manchester City expected to compete after spending billions of dollars and Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is expected to bring immediate success.
In addition to this, Arsenal are under the ever growing pressure of Arsene Wenger failing to win a trophy of any kind, and watching an exodus of the club’s best players leaving the Emirates Stadium.
With the pressure elsewhere, manager Kenny Dalglish will be pleased his current squad can fly under the radar without the added pressure from the terraces. If Liverpool string results together, they will experience a feel good factor and support from the terraces that has not been ever present at Anfield.
The feeling of excitement and support from the terraces is becoming less and less frequent at the top end of the game today, in this era of taking success for granted. A buzzing Anfield can turn into a fortress that will serve the club well over the long haul of a season.
The management staff of Liverpool is also a big reason the club could finally make the breakthrough. The legend status of Kenny Dalglish at the club allows him to claim a credibility and aura in the dressing room enjoyed only by Sir Alex Ferguson in the Premier League.
Can you really imagine any player sitting in an Anfield dressing room and questioning Kenny Dalglish? It would be like a current England player criticizing a member of the 1966 World Cup winning squad.
It is also easily forgotten that Kenny is the only modern manager to win the English Title with two different clubs.
There is obviously one more key (and most important) ingredient to a title challenge, and that is the playing staff. Liverpool have experience, depth and quality in this department.
Pepe Reina is one the Premier League’s most able and reliable goalkeepers, while veteran Jamie Carragher anchors a back line that includes some young and talented defenders.
In midfield, Lucas Leiva is a hard worker and better than most give him credit for, while new signings Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam add new blood and playmaking ability. All three new signings have the ability to keep possession for the Red’s and create goal-scoring opportunities.
At the sharp end of the field both Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll can finish off those chances. Both are good finishers, and both cause problems for the opposition in very different ways.
Suarez can get the ball into feet and cause problems by slicing through defenders and moving the ball at pace, whereas Carroll is an old fashioned battering ram forward harking back to a bygone era.
Depth is certainly no problem at Anfield either, in many seasons past the Red’s have been accused of being a “one man team.” It is worth noting that man was Steven Gerrard, and the inspirational captain is yet to play a game this season. When Gerrard does return it will provide both a personnel and emotional boost.
From the bench this season Liverpool have been able to bring on World Cup Finalist Dirk Kuyt and Raul Mereles. That pair finished last season as two of the form players in the team, and will continue to provide spark this season.
While Reds fans will whisper it quietly, a contender may well emerge from Anfield by the season's end.
