Liam Bekker takes a closer look at Liverpool’s pre-season and questions if the upcoming season could bring them success…
The 2013/14 campaign was one to remember for everyone associated with Liverpool Football Club with the Merseysiders’ stringing together a host of breath-taking performances on their way to an odds-defying title challenge. Ultimately, they fell just two points short of Man City and the title, but with a much coveted place in the Champions League secured after a four year hiatus, fans were left feeling very optimistic about the future.
Two months and a World Cup Finals later, things are looking and feeling slightly different at Anfield. The obvious cause for concern being the departure of Luis Suarez (the league’s top goal-scorer) who was the focal point of Liverpool’s attack last season. The unpredictable Uruguayan’s departure (albeit for an incredible sum of money) has left many feeling uncertain as to whether or not the club will be able to pick up where they left off last season.
Suarez’s departure, though a huge blow, by no means the signal of Liverpool heading back down the spiral of whence they came up. There are still many reasons to be optimistic.
The first sign that things may go well is that the club have broken the sluggish transfer trend of years gone by by making early investments into six new signings so far. For the most part, these new signings represent a continuation of the system that manager Brendan Rodgers and owners FSG have employed in recent years of buying young and/or buying smart. Though this policy is frustrating at times it has its merits (with last season being proof thereof) and when one looks at the names signed, there is much cause for excitement.
Serbian winger Lazar Marković , who signed from Benfica, and Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen (both only 20) are the two most exciting prospects in terms of future potential but will both make an undoubted impact in the team this season. Marković possesses a blistering turn of pace and will undoubtedly compliment the likes of Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho in our attack. Can on the other hand is what some may call a ‘dynamic defensive midfielder’ but in actual fact, the young German’s versatility allows him to play anywhere across the back four or as a box-to-box midfielder (as has been apparent from the pre-season friendlies).
Another youngster signed is that of wing-back Javier Manquillo who joined from Atletico Madrid on a two year loan deal. Admittedly, there is not much known about the young Spaniard but extensive scouting has been done on him by the club and all signs suggest that he’s a talent worth noting.
It’s not all about the kids though as is apparent from the three signings Liverpool completed from Southampton. The signing of Rickie Lambert has to be the feel-good signing of the season with the veteran taking the long road to play for his boyhood club. Admittedly, Rickie wasn’t signed to lead the line but, with 28 league goals in the last two seasons, will surely leave his mark.
The second Saint signed was Adam Lallana whose stellar performances last season earned him rave reviews and won him many-a-supporter. The 26 year old Englishman offers more attacking impotence to Liverpool’s impressive strike force and will surely impress once he has recovered from his pre-season injury. Liverpool ended their raid of Southampton (for the time being at least) when they captured long-time target Dejan Lovren. The Croatian centre-back was the chief of defence at St. Mary’s last season and was brought in to try and beef up a Liverpool defence that proved to be rather shaky last season. Having Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, Daniel Agger (hoping he stays) and Lovren as well as other fringe players means that the centre back position is now one with incredible depth and one which already looks to be an improvement from last season.
Brendan Rodgers, Ian Ayre and their scouting staff have all done a fantastic job in the market so far. The suggestion is that they’re not done yet though, with the (apparently) imminent signing of wing-back Alberto Moreno set to take place as well as the capturing of another leading striker.
If all goes as planned, fans around the globe can look forward to seeing one of the most exciting teams to come out of Liverpool in recent years and success is sure to follow.
Just how much success will follow is hard to tell. With Chelsea and Man City continuing their power-spending a title challenge looks improbable (but not impossible) while the arrival of Louis van Gaal at Man United, the growth of Tottenham and Everton, and the consistency of Arsenal mean that Liverpool will be in a dog-fight to retain their Champions League spot. We’ll harbour dreams of a another title-challenge but the main aim will surely be on securing that top four berth – something this Liverpool squad are more than capable of doing.
On top of that, excitement levels will be at an all-time high when Champions League football comes around. When you’re a Liverpool fan, there’s nothing like a European night. How the team fares in the world’s premier club competition will obviously depend a lot on the draw but delusions of grandeur should not be entertained just yet. As exciting as the squad currently is, Liverpool do not match up against the superpowers of world football and as much as it hurts me to say, have a near-to-nothing chance of lifting the Champions League trophy aloft for the sixth time.
I hope I’m proven wrong.
The truth is that there will be some struggles in both in Europe and in the league but with a dynamic squad and methodical manager, I feel that Liverpool fans can feel optimistic enough that we’re heading in the right direction. Will this be our season? It might well be, but regardless of that we can expect one thing, and that is to be entertained – the Liverpool way.
You can follow Liam here @bekkersblog