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No false dawn this time around

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Coutinho Sturridge Newcastle LFCFROM the 2001 treble winning team to the 2005 Istanbul memories, from the rise of Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler to the wizardry of Fernando Torres, there have been many occasions over the past 20 years when Liverpool fans could be forgiven for believing that their team was returning to something like their past glories.

But looking forward to next season there are simply too many positives for this to be anything but the beginning of an exciting and successful period for our great club, and not just another false dawn, with or without a certain Uruguayan…..

Let’s consider the existing playing staff.

Almost without exception there is good reason to assume that our players will improve as individuals from last season, or at least not decline in performance levels.

Pepe Reina, who is looking more likely each day to be continuing his service at Anfield, is a proven performer who suffered an 18-month dip in form but is now looking more like his old self when some even spoke of him as the world’s best.

While I was never convinced of his right to that claim, 31 years old (in August) is no bad age for a goalkeeper. This position is unique and experience is a vital part of the role, bringing calmness and solidity as the last line of defence. His distribution skills are second to none.

At the back we have already brought in Kolo Toure who while not being a fan’s dream, will bring more than just another body with his wealth of experience at Arsenal and Manchester City.

Of course losing “Our Carra” is a blow, but we can at least be thankful that the legend’s lack of pace will no longer be exposed at an increasing rate. Martin Skrtel must still possess the ability he showed as the previous season’s player of the year while Danny Agger also has more class than he displayed last term.

Martin Kelly, if switched back to a central position, will be almost like a new signing, and if he continues to improve at the same rate as before his injury he is surely bound for a starting place in the near future. Let’s not forget Andre Wisdom and Seb Coates.

Still at the back but in the wider areas we have the reliable Jose Enrique and the still improving Glen Johnson. The former has had a sprinkling of excellent performances and despite a rough period has shown the appetite to successfully fight for his place; he is only now reaching his peak. The latter has lost none of his pace or attacking flair, while the defensive side of his game has improved considerably over the last 2 seasons. Expect no decline from Glen.

These are backed up by youngsters Jack Robinson and Jon Flanagan, whose first team performances for the Reds have already shown that they have enough about them not to let us down and of course will improve quickly at such a tender age. If another classy defender is signed we might see Kelly returning on the right with Johnson switched to the left?
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In midfield, Steven Gerrard- enough said, except perhaps anybody who thinks any drop in standards is due should look over last season’s highlights. Lucas Leiva should improve from 2012/13 when despite contributing never looked completely right following his serious injury. Another person who had shown a fantastic attitude, a full pre-season will do him wonders.

While Jordan Henderson might not be a darling for all the fans, he added to his hard work and diligence last term. Intelligent long runs from deep showed an ability to read the game and as his confidence grew with a few cool finishes, we saw some lovely attempts at clever through balls through the centre and down the channels. They were not always successful, but this flexible player looks very promising as he passes his 23rd birthday.

It is more difficult to quantify Joe Allen but it may be unfair to judge him on what he has done so far in red because he was carrying his injury. The belief which can be found in his manager’s quotes on his signing must count for something, and once again he can only improve with another year under his belt.

Jonjo Shelvey is another who is sure to step up in a supporting role, while Suso remains an exciting prospect.

From wider positions we will see Raheem Sterling trying to hold off the challenge of Jordan Ibe. Their age is 35, totalled! No Premier League club would not love to have either to choose, let alone both.

Our offensive line-up is also looking impressive. Phillippe Coutinho (turning 21) looks frightening. His touch and intelligence is there for all to see, and after just 5 months at the club who knows what he might become?

We have a genuine goalscorer in Daniel Sturridge who is again almost certain to improve from the faith shown in him and the resulting confidence, together with his improving fitness levels. Fabio Borini has done little wrong but been blighted by injuries: another young player with a good attitude and a point to prove, he must be able to provide more for the squad. Aspas looks imminent and interesting.

So maybe we can lose Brad Jones, Jay Spearing, Oussama Assaidi, Stewart Downing, Dani Pacheco and Andy Carroll. The cash will help bring in McCarthy, Papadopoulos, Mkhitaryan and David Villa, who can have the same effect as Toure at the back and maybe as Van Persie did at the other place last season.

Oh, and then there’s Luis Suarez. Nice to have but if not, Liverpool FC have already started to get back to where they belong!
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It is impossible to explain my feelings about LFC; those who understand will know what I mean and those who don't get it never will. Born in 1966 I remember the `74 Cup Final, St Etienne, Moenchengladbach and so on although I was unable to get to matches at that age from my South Wales home where rugby was the religion. Possibly my favourite Red on the field was Terry McDermott- I have still seen nobody time their late runs into the box like him. Now ahead of the 2013/14 season I am more optimistic about the medium-term future than I have been for a while but also realistic in that the 70's and 80's can never be replicated as that kind of domination is not possible in the modern game. I have no ambition to be a professional writer beyond these types of article but am very much looking forward to my interaction with live4liverpool.

26 comments

  • jesse's son says:

    Our mid field is totally shaking so signing mcarthy and miktaryan might be a top 4 guarantee….ynwa!

  • Jack says:

    No . We won’t be top 4 next season. There is little to be positive about as the top clubs continue to improve as we stand still . This is a very overly optimistic opinion bordering on delusional to be honest.

    • Leights says:

      I didn’t say we would finish in the top 4 next season, but we are definitely progressing towards that point in a steady and sustainable way. We will see a higher league position (again,) a greater points total (again,) and should improve at a quicker rate than other teams because of beginning from a lower base as well as the reasons given in the article.

  • Brigadier says:

    LOL, the ‘still improving Glen Johnson’!

  • Brigadier says:

    ‘Expect no decline from Glen’
    How further back has he got left to decline? He’s 28, played under 4 different Liverpool managers and cost 18m yet doesnt get slaughtered like Hendo or Downing. The guy has not been good value at all but has escaped criticism somehow. SMH.

    • Leights says:

      GJ will not set the world on fire I grant you, as he is a known quantity, but his defensive work ha improved without any deterioration in his attacking duties. I am certainly not one to “slaughter” Jordan Henderson (see article) although Downing has been underwhelming.

  • stevieG says:

    This article makes me laugh , its so obviously not realistic.

    In my 40 years supporting Liverpool this is the season I am least looking forward to. We were a poor mid table side with a poor inexperienced manager last season . Our best player by a mile wants to leave , and there are no signs of any real quality arriving….and this author thinks a great new era is imminent ? Wishful thinking

  • Erin says:

    Keep skertel agger. It was a good line up under KD. If we buy too many players, they will need time to settle. By all means buy another defender, Llori is rumoured. Lets add him in.

    The priority must be central mf, strikers. Suarez looks like he is on his way. We can’t start the season with a brand new defence/mf and strikers.
    Oh, and add downing to the list of players leaving. A few good games and two years of crap is enough time. He should have gone down with Middlesborough and stayed a Villa. That is his level

  • Howard says:

    Seriously Mr Short , you can’t possibly be that optimistic without being on a serious quantity of medication.
    We are headed nowhere under Rodgers , another season of mediocrity awaits. Until a new manager and some serious investment comes that is all we will be.
    The fact that you even mentioned the possibility of us signing a player of David Villa’s quality tells me that you are not being realistic

    • Leights says:

      I make no claims about world-beating next season, just that it feels better than it has for a long time. I must admit I am sceptical about the Financial Fair Play rules (and penalties) being implemented by the authorities and this could be crucial to us in the medium term, but in theory massive private investment should become less frequent. If David Villa wants to play in the EPL before calling it a day he will not be guaranteed a starting place in Manchester or Chelsea next season. I admit on the face of it that Arsenal may be his preferred option in England because of Champion’s League football but we could have a shout.

  • Kilasho says:

    Pls¥ y are we thinking in the wrong direction selling downing will only worsened the situation. Let luis go he is a coward.

    • paullfc30yrs says:

      ” A coward”…..Who kept Rodgers in a job, without Suarez last season we would have been relegation fodder, ….Oh and as for Downing, Total joke of a player, laughable how he keeps getting games. Assaidi looked more attacking and Dangerous, but he never got a sniff…Maybe the club could have shown a bit of backbone and appealed, at least once. Other clubs esp the top clubs will defend their players through thick and thin. Fans keep on saying “All we have done for luis”…what did we actually do, apart from lay down as a club and take everything the FA threw at us, we never appealed at all .I won’t call Suarez, reason being, he stopped what was a poor season, from being a completely embarrassing one, with his goals and one man shows for this club.

  • Holy says:

    i assure u guyz suarez will not leave.

  • David Tobin says:

    There is no false dawn , there isn’t any dawn at all . We have no hope next season with Rodgers as boss , none .

  • Mr v says:

    Blah blah blah, changer the record missery guts

  • Gaz says:

    Liverpool started to get back where we belong ? Ur having a laugh aren’t u ? Choose reality mate cos we are nowhere close

    • paullfc30yrs says:

      I agree, where does all this crap come from?. We are further behind than ever, that is a fact that some fans and nearly all of the club can’t seem to grasp.

  • Ozred says:

    On the right track. What we need as much as anything right now is continuity. The Sturridge and Coutinho signings have been incredible. Allan and Borini look poor however harsh that is for a couple of blokes who particulaly in Borini’s case, suffered significant injuries.

    The loss of Suarez will be a shocker but money must be reinvested into a world class replacement.

    Between Suarez (or his replacement), Sturridge, Coutinho, Lucas, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Skirtel, Gerard, & Reina we have a core of 10 world class, or bordering on world class players.

    Add to that the youth and upside of Henderson (continually getting better), Sterling, Suso, Jonjo, Ibe, Kelly, Wisdom, Borini, Allen and we have a situation where these guys are ready to come in and play good senior footy.

    What we need now is a couple of key signings. A world class Central Defender in addition to Toure, another world class Striker, A proven and established midfielder (25 – 30) who can add experience to a young midfield.

    Signing a guy like Aspas is fine but there is plenty of if’s buts and maybe’s about that signing. Realistically we should have transfer funds in the region of $85m to splash if Suarez goes.

    Suarez: $45m
    Carrol: $15m
    Owners: $20m
    Would also expect some minority depatures to raise a further $5 – $10m.

    If logic prevails, this should be our biggest spending summer ever. And if they spend it wisely, we will be top 4.

    Would also expect to see a couple of Suso, Sterling, Jonjo and depending on who comes in over the summer Borini head out on loan to get some game time in.

    YNWA

  • Danny says:

    People are under some illusion that Liverpool will be a force next season ….erm no it’s not going to happen with Brenda in charge

  • paullfc30yrs says:

    Bla Bla Blah….Next season has my expectations lower than ever before, we have just had our worst season for decades, looks like we are losing our best player, Gerrard a year older, Carra gone….I could go on, but whats the point, Rodgers has the gift of the gab, so apparently that’s all that matters.

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