When asked about Liverpool’s chance prospects next season, Reds forward Dirk Kuyt replied:
“The feeling is a bit the same. When we were really close in 2009 and finished second I had the same feeling, a matter of a few good signings and we will be right up there. I think this is exactly the case at the moment. With the arrival of Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll we have two top-quality players, but also with the young lads who are doing very well things are looking much more promising and if we can add a few other good players then we can compete with the best next season. We are close I think but like everyone is thinking, we have to move forward and get better and better. Maybe we are better placed now and we have learnt from what happened in 2009 when we lost Xabi Alonso. If we can move forward then we will be there.”
These are very bold words from Dirk indeed. Obviously, the biggest difference from 2009 and 2011, is that in 2009, our second place finish was the culmination of some gradual improvements in the team that Rafa Benitez had built since his arrival in 2004. A Champions League winners trophy in 2005, A FA Cup win in 2006, a Champions League final in 2007, a blip in 2008 and a runner up place with a record Premier League points total of 86 in 2009, culminated in predictions that 2010 should have been the Reds years. In actuality however, the lack of desire from the Reds owners, to push on, and bring in the signings needed to push Liverpool to the first Premier League title in 20 years, meant that that the squad was weakened, and that expectations were never realised.
This is where I think Kuyt sees similarities to now to the summer of 2009. Although the place where the respective teams are at are entirely different, with the Reds in 6th rather than second; we are at a tipping point in the progress of Liverpool Football Club. While in 2009, the lack of investment led to a massive fall off a cliff edge, this summer should see the Reds in the ascendancy. Rather than seeing a shedding of some of our best players, FSG will surely look to add to the quality already at the club.
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It will take 2 season before we are title contenders again.
The squad needs a massive overhaul. If 6 players are being brought in, there is a good chance that some of these 6 will fail to make an impact. Meaning it will take another year to replace these with good signings. But the foundations are still there, we just need a few good signings to compete for CL spots again. The summer after next season will be the most exciting. Are we going to get the final pieces of the puzzle for 2012/2013
Next season perhaps is a bit too soon to mount a successful title challenge, but you never know. 4 or 5 quality buys, and we will be right up there. What King Kenny has done with his very limited squad in terms of quality is amazing. But this same amount of intensity and punching above its weight throughout an entire season will be difficult. And so as all LFC fans worldover know we need to buy some quality players.
selecting players to buy which will add quality is not as hard as some make out. For Commoli and Dalglish it is easy they both know their s**t, will be backed by FSG and know the fans are clever and will demand the best the club can attain and Kenny will deliver
why the hell come out with that crap now???!!??
why not for once just shut up. Why have liverpool players insisted on coming out with this rubbish the last few years?? it leads to humiliation more often than not. lets just wait an see who the hell we sign first. give me flaming strength!
Too right i hate it every bloody season “this is our season” blah blah blah then we end up soo faar behind the leaders its un-bareable to watch the rest of the season being down in the dumps.
I do think with stability, money, patience, King Kenny as manager it will be likely that it would take 2 seasons to get us back challenging, but i do expect being in the top 4 again next season although it will be hard.
Just think if he had started this season with Kenny i really do think we would be in the top 4 minimum even with this squad.
im just glad the fans are once again united behind King Kenny, its been abit if divide and conquer in the past but now we can become a real force again and it won’t be just European nights that will have Anfield rocking , but Premier League games aswell……YNWA
i think a big overhaul is the only way to go. 11 in 11 out sounds great to me its whats needed. KK turned this squad around in days if he has a full pre season with the players he wants why cant we go for the league its as poor as its ever been and this should be our oppertunity. the scum will break our record with the worst team fergie has ever had, chekski want CL and arsenal are crap in april-may. this all means with FSG and KK in charge lets go for it no more playing for 4th.
I doubt that this squad is capable to perform this way for entire season. The West Ham, West Brom and Blackpool games are proof of that. To be consistent you need more quality on the pitch and on the bench.
I’m always trying to be a glass half full type of guy. It doesn’t always work, but there are lot of things that can align quickly to make next year a title challenge. Apart from the positive things that are happening at Anfield, there are things that are going to make it hard for those above us to stay there.
We have seen the top teams beat each other constantly and also drop points to the lower ranked teams. I can’t see this changing too much next year. Where Liverpool can jump forward is in the results against teams below them on the ladder, especially away. 2 to 4 top quality players can blend with the youngsters coming through without changing too much of the squad. We already know that Kenny is getting more out of some players we didn’t think had it in them. It may be all we need to deal with those games we have to chase away.
The mini “Top 6” premier league table sees us heading the table, albeit ManU has a game in hand. But it does go to show we can compete with the best.
Along with an off season to build the squad and fine tune tactics, of course we can be in the title race up to our ears
First kenny’s privilege to Reinforce the defense as this year we have already challenged the 5 top team so next year we must challenge all the 19 team that’s our spirit 2012 will be the best YNWA