English Premier League preview: Liverpool
Liverpool, as one of the English Premier League’s traditional ‘Big Four’ along with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, will invariably be mentioned as title contenders each and every season they are in existence. That much is a fact. But when injuries hit Liverpool, they hit hard.
Star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were in and out of the team last season and, with their back-ups unquestionably being nowhere near as good as those two, Liverpool finished the season in seventh place. But can a new manager and a renewed sense of optimism help sweep Liverpool to their first league title in 21 years?
After leading EPL rivals Fulham to the UEFA Europa League final last season, Roy Hodgson replaced Rafael Benitez (now at Inter Milan) in the Anfield hot-seat. He has moved quickly to begin strengthening his squad. Despite the club being on the verge of a take-over by new owners, he has had some funds to spend and has brought in defender Danny Wilson from Scottish Premier League champions Rangers for an initial £2m fee, while Milan Jovanović and Joe Cole have been snapped up on free transfers.
Exciting signing
The capture of Cole may prove to be the signing of the season. The England international was unable to agree an extension to his contract with Chelsea and, despite being linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, he decided to join Hodgson’s Anfield revolution. Cole is considered to be one of the most creative midfield players in England, capable of playing on either flank or through the middle in support of a main striker. With Gerrard occupying the role in the centre of the park behind Torres, Cole will likely be deployed on the wings to beat full-backs, fire in crosses for the Spanish striker to latch on to, and hit some long-range shots himself.
However, Hodgson’s most important pieces of transfer business may prove not to have been bringing players in, but talking Gerrard and Torres out of any thoughts they may have had of leaving.
Gerrard is considered by many pundits to be among the best attacking midfielders in the world, an accolade which he has earned thanks to his hard work, willingness to launch himself into tackles, leadership qualities and remarkable eye for goal. He is credited with almost single-handedly dragging Liverpool to a remarkable comeback from three goals down to win the UEFA Champions League in 2005 and has been pivotal in every success his club have had over the last ten years. He has helped the club in that he has played for his entire career win two FA Cups, two League Cups and the UEFA Cup.
World Cup winner
Torres is, without doubt, one of the best strikers on the planet. He is fast, skilful and leaves defenders trailing in his wake. Although he failed to find the net at the tournament, his skills in holding up the ball and allowing his international team-mates to strike at goal helped Spain capture the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He is also the fastest ever to have scored 50 league goals for Liverpool, having needed just two-and-a-half seasons to do so.
Although they will be challenging for the title again this year, the strength and depth of Liverpool’s squad remains a sticking point. If any of the big name players – Gerrard, Torres, Cole – are injured for any length of time, Liverpool may struggle to grind out points. Dirk Kuyt is a fine player, capable of covering for any of those three, but if more than one is injured at the same time, Liverpool will find life difficult.
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