What can we expect next season?

Certain aspects of the summer break from competitive football are seemingly unchanging and timeless. The boredom of the first few weeks, the gradual growth of anticipation as pre-season training and friendly matches commence and the increasingly intense transfer speculation as the midnight deadline approaches have all become ingrained within our collective footballing conscience during the summer recess.

Moreover, traditionally Liverpool supporters' hopes and expectations ahead of the new season have been bizarrely and, for fans of our rivals at least, comically unrealistic. Bold predictions of the Reds storming all before them and claiming their nineteenth League title are never missing from the build up to a season, however disappointingly they have always proven to be misplaced, as a depressing twenty-one years have elapsed since our last League triumph and a Premier League winners' trophy still remains conspicuous in its absence from the Anfield trophy room.

The asset stripping endured throughout the death throes of the club's former owners' reign went some way to reducing expectations, as the sensible majority properly saw even challenging for the title as a delusion rather than a dream due to the depletion of an already paper-thin squad.


However, with the resurgence enjoyed following the return of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish to the Anfield dugout results have rapidly improved and expectations have inevitably crept up again, as our lack of squad depth, although rectified partly by the Reds' transfer activity so far, has been masked by the quite remarkable turnaround experienced under the 60-year old Scot's guidance.

It appears that the raised morale, improved atmosphere and unusual optimism surrounding the club currently, although obviously welcome, may have clouded some fans' judgement, as the new season draws ever nearer and the belief that Liverpool could challenge for the title next season, despite their lowly sixth placed finish last time out, becomes more prevalent.

A sense of perspective is required to reduce the considerable pressure placed upon Dalglish and his squad ahead of the Merseysiders' first full season under the ownership of the highly respected Fenway Sports Group (FSG). The fact that no side has won the Premier League after finishing lower than third the season before should provide a reality check for those fans with excessive aspirations for the upcoming campaign.

The noteworthy investment in talented and expensive youth by both wealthy Manchester clubs, as well as the renewed positivity at Stamford Bridge following the appointment of the hugely promising and successful young manager Andre Villas-Boas, should also reveal the amount of work still needed to overhaul our main rivals.

Although Liverpool are clearly progressing and developing both their squad and starting eleven through targeted and heavy investment ahead of the period of belt tightening expected when financial fair play rules are enacted, other top clubs are pursuing similar strategies this summer and, without the incentive of Champions League football to entice potential signings, the Reds may struggle to compete at the top echelons of the table.

It is therefore crucial that Champions League qualification is secured next season and a top four finish is a realistic and attainable expectation. Thankfully, principal owner John Henry shares this view, stating, "It's too early for us to start talking about winning the league...our main goal is to qualify for the Champions League."


The prestige of dining at European football's top table is coupled favourably with the additional revenue streams generated by participating in the Champions League on a regular basis. Consequently, a virtuous circle develops, where Champions League football provides extra income, which in turn can be invested in improving the playing squad and continuing to compete in the club game's biggest competition.

Missing out on a top four finish for a season is not disastrous, however if we fail to qualify for the Champions League yet again next season then it will become increasingly difficult to break back into the elite of the game following three years in the footballing wilderness.

Presuming that Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea will be the main challengers for the title, next season should see the Reds compete with London outfits Tottenham and Arsenal for that final position in the top four. With the future of Tottenham star Luka Modric up in the air and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas seemingly destined to return to his boyhood Barcelona, both Redknapp and Wenger must be looking over their shoulders worrying at the threat posed by Dalglish's troops.

As Spurs' and the Gunners' recent progress appears to be stalling, Liverpool must be ready to pounce and take advantage by surmounting a serious and successful challenge for a top four spot next season. Ironically, the fact that we will have no midweek European fixtures to disrupt our schedule and increase the likelihood of injuries hampering the squad could provide a key advantage in what will almost certainly be an intriguing battle for fourth.

As well as Champions League qualification, an extended run in a domestic cup competition should be achieved in order to boost confidence and help the winning bug to return to Merseyside following five long years without a trophy. Liverpool FC exists to win trophies and, after years of solely existing to pay off debt from an unwanted leveraged buy-out, the focus has finally and thankfully returned to the football pitch.

Now, it is time to kick on and look forward to what should be a much improved campaign under the stewardship of Dalglish, Comolli and co. in which the aim surely must be a decent cup run and a return to where we belong; the top table of European football.

YNWA