Liverpool Season Preview: A New Era Begins

Much has changed at Liverpool since the end of last season. Kenny Dalglish and his coaching staff have been sacked and in came Brendan Rodgers, a young manager with his own ideas and his own staff. While most people, including me, were sceptical about Rodgers he stepped up with confidence and has so far impressed in everything he has done.
Liverpool go into the season with a totally new playing style and formation. Brendan Rodgers wants his team to play possesion football, the so called Spanish tiki-taka. That style is very attractive and successfull, but also needs time to start working so patience will be key for the Reds next season.
In the transfer window Liverpool have so far brought in 3 new players and sold a number of big earners. Fabio Borini was signed from Roma to lead the attack while Joe Allen came from Swansea to be the player to dominate midfield and be the motor of the new looking squad. Oussama Assaidi is a shock signing as it was expected Tello will be brought in for the wings, but for €3 million could turn out to be a bargain. Other rumoured targets are Nuri Sahin on loan and Clint Dempsey.

Liverpool´s aim for next season is to better last season´s 8th place finish and try to finish as high as possible. Top 6 seems a very realistic target but with a few good additions before the end of the transfer window Liverpool could challenge for a top 4 spot. Brendan Rodgers has his own ideas and plans and it is very important that fans remain patient and give him their full support.

The key fixtures next season will be the first 3 home games, against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United at Anfield. If the team can get good results in all 3 of these games it will be a huge confidence boost and will help Liverpool a lot in later games. Other important games will be the ones agains Tottenham, Everton, Newcastle and Chelsea who are all top 6 rivals.
If Liverpool manage to start the season well and win at least 2 of the first 3 home games then I think this season could turn out to be very good, and a top 4 finish is not as far as people think.

The key for a successfull season lies in keeping the current defence together. Daniel Agger has been linked with a move to Manchester City, and Liverpool just can´t allow such a player to leave before the season starts. Liverpool´s defensive pairing of Škrtel and Agger, alongside Lucas as defensive midfielder, will be key to a good season with very few goals conceded.

In attack the key player will be Luis Suarez, who has to stay injury-free and trouble-free to finally prove his worth at Liverpool and repay the faith of the club and fans. Fabio Borini will also play a big role as his quick pace and workrate will help Suarez tear defences apart. Rodgers will also look to bring a new right winger and it is important that whoever is bought for that position is good enough to help Liverpool score more goals than last season.

I expect a very good first season for Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers.   If he keeps all key players and buys a few quality additions to the team Liverpool could surprise many people. The key is patience as the style of play Rodgers wants to bring to Liverpool doesn´t work overnight. I predict a 5th place finish with a very good run in the Europa League and FA Cup, possibly winning one of these two trophies.
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