Liverpool
Liverpool: Back In The Top Four At Last?
With Liverpool making serious changes to their squad this summer in preparation for next season, we look at their chances of breaking back in to the top four.
With Liverpool making some serious changes to their squad this summer in preparation for next season, writer Rayyan Dabbous looks at their chances of breaking back in to the top four.
In the 2008/2009 season, Liverpool finished as runner ups in the Premier League behind Manchester United. The following year, they dropped 23 points: finishing their campaign in 7th place. Since then, Liverpool haven’t been able to recover from that fall. For 4 consecutive years, Liverpool have been deprived of a top four finish and been without Champions League football.
Not long ago, the top four teams in the Premiership were always Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. The Merseyside club carries a huge history: winning the Premiership 18 times and clinching the European cup five times. These days, of the traditional ‘Top Four’, Liverpool have fallen by the wayside and scrap for Europa League qualification.
However, ahead of the new season Liverpool’s hopes of a top four finish have been revived once again. The players are raring to go: in hopes of achieving their objectives. This time, Liverpool’s chances have increased due to three important factors: a strong team, a keen gaffer and a powerful desire.
Brendan Rodgers new-look squad appears to have some much-needed depth. They have young prodigies like Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge who both proved they have what it takes to play for the Merseyside club following their January moves. They have established stars like Daniel Agger and Lucas Leiva, and they are led by long-serving captain Steven Gerrard.
Add on that, Liverpool have been active in the transfer market with the additions of Simon Mignolet and Iago Aspas, as well as the experienced Kolo Toure and raw Luis Alberto. Let’s not forget they still have striker Luiz Suarez who scored 23 league goals last season. Even if the Uruguayan leaves Anfield this summer, Liverpool will still have a huge sum to reinvest in the squad during the remainder of the transfer window.
Brendan Rogers is known to be a clever coach with a lot of ideas. He enjoyed two great seasons with Swansea City in South Wales: propelling them to the top flight and finishing their first season after promotion in 11th place. The 40 year old manager is set to lead Liverpool in his second year in North West England. The arrival of the Northern Irishman has hinted some kind of stability at Liverpool – which has been badly missed at Anfield since the departure of Rafa Benitez.
Since their exile from the top four, Liverpool have never stopped believing they can return back among the league’s elite. Skipper Steven Gerhard has once again called for the fans to back the team and feels a top four finish is achievable next season. He told the Daily Mail:
“If the fans get behind us and show the support that we know they can, I believe we can push into the top four.”
Liverpool are looking to impress next year. Their chances for a top four finish are as high as they’ve been in years, but the key is consistency. The club have the chance to start the new campaign off in positive fashion after being handed a relatively easy opening fixture list. If the new signings can hit the ground running the Merseysiders could find themselves back where they feel they belong; in the mix for Champions League qualification.
Do you think Liverpool have a chance of finishing in the top four this season? Get involved in the comments section below.
