11 Aug 2021 09:22:54
Just looking to gauge opinion here from Liverpool fans.

The media currently seem to have Liverpool down as an unknown or "outsider" for the title this season.

They see Chelsea and City and some even United as more likely to win the league than Liverpool.

City I understand, they have two sides capable of winning the league and that sort of quality in depth along with a manager like Pep simply has to have them as favourites.

For me then Liverpool should be second favourites. I know last season Liverpool didn't do well, the injuries and the odd decision to play the first choice midfield at CB to cover just made Liverpool soft right through the centre and restricted their ability to press high effectively. Thus really negating how they play.

However that was a series of unfortunate events that lead to that.

I look at the current Liverpool side and bar Gini who's flown the coup, it is the exact same side that got 99 and 97 points in two of the last three seasons. However, players like Konate, Thiago and Jota have been added, while none of Liverpool's key players have aged to a point where they will start to decline. Bar Milner is there anyone else over the age of 31?

I don't quite expect Liverpool to score in the high 90's this season, but the mid 80's seems pretty reasonable, which puts you straight in a title fight.

I just wanted to get your opinions on what you expect from Liverpool this season?

1.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 10:00:52
I agree with all of that to be honest mate.

I just think the media to me seems to drive attention towards whatever club is spending huge amounts of money.

I don't mind us being thought of as an outsider for the title, it seems that sky and radio pundits aren't interested in taking us seriously because we haven't added a player that fits their agenda.

I'll be happy if we could add Saul or Bissouma but I'm not going to be too disappointed if we don't, As long as we keep our key players fit we should be right up there. well I hope :-)

2.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 09:57:47
Hi Shappy

I think Liverpool even without another addition will challenge as long as we do not get any key or long term injuries to the first 11

i also believe it suits us being underdogs or being written off as the pressure comes off and it makes it all the more satisfying to prove the doubters wrong. i've read the likes of Rio Ferdinand writing us off already this season - whereby using 'how we haven't bought anyone' but ignoring we have added Konate and got back VVD/ Gomez and Matip which will hopefully see us at least have 2 top defenders availble throughout the season and also the fact we have only lost Gini - who may yet be replaced but other than that we have kept all the other key palyers in our team.

As i have stated in other posts, it would be good to get a couple more faces to refresh the squad but it is also good to have consistency/ familiarity within the team which we have. the front 3 are still 1 if not the best front 3 in the prem. Mane and Salah have had a full summer off so it can only bode well.

3.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 09:58:09
Shappy as with every season mate it’s just all guess work and opinions. The fact Liverpool are not seen as the favourite or one of is a good thing as it takes some pressure off their shoulders and adds more to City’s, Utds and Chelsea’s. Plus it gives me better odds at the bookies 😜. I’m interested to see how both Utds signings do as despite being quality additions neither have played in the Premier League (Sancho might have once or twice) . Grealish at City is another one as he’s used to playing every minute of every game and everything going through him so will he give City another dimension or will he slow them down as he likes to hold onto the ball. Lukaku at Chelsea is a good signing but I still think they are a little weak at the back and their Keeper is just good not World Class.
I think (well hoping) this could be the most exciting league for a number of years as the fans are back in the stadium now and I hope they don’t settle for bus parking or negative football. Another Sport (Rugby Union) is massively under the cosh due to the standard of the Springboks style of play and at some points last season I felt the same about football on the tv. We all know it’s a business these days but clubs, owners and managers need to remember the entertainment part of that business otherwise the cash cow could start to run dry.

4.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 10:11:01
City will be the one to beat to the title but I expect Chelsea to be very strong this season. If am going to be critical and point out where I think our weakness is it would probably be Bobby. I know not everyone will agree because as he works hard and tracks back ect. But his goal count has dropped year after year and some of the chances are harder to miss. If jota makes that spot his own and can double his counts to 20-25 goals in the prem then I think we will be right up there will city. Obviously no serious injury’s would be perfect.
On a different note I’ve a sneaky feeling the ox is going to have a bigger part this season and regain some good form. I was hanging on until the last minute to do my fantasy league just in case we signed a super star but it looks like it’s not happening! :- (.

5.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 10:38:44
From what I have seen, the bookies have Liverpool as joint second favourites with Chelsea, behind City as the ones to beat. Liverpool will be there or there abouts. Need to have the rub of the green with respect to injuries but make no mistake, we have a very good side.

6.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 11:34:37
I think we will finish top two and I expect us to finish above Citeh.

Would like to have a good go at the Champions League. As well.

7.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 11:44:18
Media and pundits are writing us off is coz of VVD and Gomez.

No one knows including Klopp how VVD and Gomez are going to perform or will even have a breakdown after coming back from a horrific Injury.

Think we need a bit of luck with injuries coz without our CBS there's no way we can challenge City.

8.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 11:54:57
Id be astounded if the Top 4 ends up being any other team than us, City, Chelsea and Utd. Which order the four end up in will probably depend on injuries and the results versus each other. With the depth of squad City have, it clear why they are favourites.

9.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 12:33:00
If City doesn't pull off a big forward signing they're not my favourites to win it this time around. Jesus is ok, but not one to carry a team, De Bruyne is a top, top players but injury prone. Chelsea also need a forward to take another step, manure have adressed their main concernes, but Ole's att the wheel. And then there's us.

I'd say we are in for the closest race for the title ever. If Villa and Leicester get their stuff together they can take points from anyone to decide it. Prediction: three sides have a chance on the last day of the season. Us, City and Chelsea.

10.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 12:48:02
The lack of pressure might help early doors, but if Liverpool are in a title race come Christmas then everyone will take them seriously.

A factor that will be interesting is the return of fans in the stadium. Obviously the Liverpool home support is immense and normally really helps carry them over the line and to an extent intimidate/ overawe the opposition. That said maybe that pressure/ expectation from the fans could hinder the players, or it could carry them over the line.

Either way the return of fans I think will have a bigger impact at Anfield than at most other stadiums, good or bad remains to be seen.

I see a lot of people want to see a replacement for Gini, I wonder if Jones can step up into that role. It's a big ask, but the kid does have the talent, you'll only know if he has the mentality when he gets the chance to prove it.

I agree that for the first time in a few years the top 4 looks locked in. Leicester look ready to pounce if one of City, Chelsea, Liverpool or United drop out, but in truth I don't think any of them will. Spurs look lost and if Kane leaves will be a one man team (Son) . While Arsenal seem intent in building a replica of the soft centred limp possession side from between 2014-2018.

11.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 13:16:23
expecting top 4 and challenge for title. I'd be disappointed if we are double digit points away from the top at Christmas, but think we have a more than capable enough squad to keep us in the running.

12.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 13:36:41
Great posts Shappy, good to have some level headed outside banter/ discussion on the page. Keep popping over mate!

13.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 13:53:01
Top 4 is my assumption, but realistically the league is City's. Think it'll be tough fight for 2-3rd with Chelsea and United spending. Especially if Chelsea buy Lukaku!
Think I've been worried about performances more then anything, sure injuries where massive last year but the performances weren't good regardless before that, I remember Djota bailling us out of games to start.

Teams figured us out and the lack of top quality "special moments" due to injuries we couldn't just play through it. Still unsure how we answer the low block we saw against everyone last year with the same players, still no new options or plan B, which is my worry.

Guess wait and see if we make any more signings and our bench improves, otherwise a few injuries could still be dangerous for us!
Wonder if the focus should be on cups/ CL this year over the trawl that will be the league!

14.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 16:31:28
Great Post from Shappy, good to see some balanced debate regarding teams potential.

A good point raised is the return of fans. I see it having 2 effects, over CV19 some players have had an easy ride performing poorly in games and fans have not been present to get on their backs etc. the return of fans will I'm my opinion make some of these players choke. I'm not saying this is a good thing, but it is what it is.

A down side if fans returning is the in stadium toxicity toward perceived lack of effort, loyalty and commitment. I fear for Rafa across the park for 1 and if a team like WH start poorly I can see moyes getting a tough ride too. I think what is happening at spurs is really not nice for their fans, a great club and a fabulous stadium and not to mention a fantastic character in Nuno. I see a very poisoned atmosphere there.

I think Villa are potential dark horses and could do a lecistser, could be in and around top 4 for a few seasons.

U think some city fans are falling out of live with Pep, be interesting to see what there over the course of the season.

Chelsea for me are the ones to beat this season I see a close race between Utd, us and them. For me I can't see city being in the running this season.

I'm fear for Everton this season, rafa gone within 3 months and a disjointed squad. I hope not but I can't see it ending well there at all this season.

Relegation for me Newcastle, Watford and Burnley.

{Ed025's Note - everton will be fine ravola, not great but will finish mid table, you may not see city being in the running but in fact they will win it mate, but i agree that united and chelsea will be your biggest rivals for 2nd, 3rd and fourth..

15.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 19:16:57
Great post Shappy and i echo your sentiments 100%. Every single year pundits and fans alike forget that the game is not played on paper. People start to deal in absolutes and can’t see anything beyond the team that has spent the most money being the most successful. The fact that City are favourites for the Champions League every year yet never actually winning it are evidence of this. People never seem to learn that the Barclays is a cruel and unpredictable force of nature that often spits in the face of calculated logic and predictions.

As such, we need to be a bit more nuanced than declaring that the team with the biggest squad and highest expenditure will 100% win and the rest of us shouldn’t even bother. It never works out that way. Liverpool are very rarely ever named as the favourites and yet we often end up being serious contenders for top prizes when nobody else gives us a chance. that's the way we like it and i can’t wait to make the smug, short-sited pundits and rival fans eat their words. Our squad is far better than it is given credit for and like you say, it wasn’t given a fair crack of the whip last season due to mitigating circumstances.

This year will be different and the slate has been wiped clean. Newer additions such as Konate, Jota, Thiago and even Tsimikas will be able to contribute properly and i think they’ll make a huge difference, with the likes of Jones and Elliott being able to contribute further as well. This is far from simply being an inferior version of the same side that won the League. We may even add a couple of signings late on, as we did last season (and i think we still will) . That’s a healthy amount of freshening up right there and another midfielder and forward would see pretty much every position taken care of.

If you want to know how i think it will play out, i’ll place Liverpool in first because i really do think we will surprise everyone and come roaring back after the disappointment of last season. We’ve got so much going for us and being written off will only drive us on even more, also if you don’t believe this group of lads can still win the league i’m not sure what the point in following us is to be honest.

I think Chelsea will come second and run Liverpool very close for the title. They have a great team and have spent heavily on many good players, with a manager who knows how to get the best out of them and is very tactically astute. Their younger players will only get better and a world class striker like Lukaku will be a proper game changer for them. It can’t be understated how much belief and momentum the Champions League win will give them. The title might be a year too early for them but they’ll be a strong force that i expect to be in and around the 90 point mark, no doubt.

I actually think City will prove to be the minor shock this season, as i don’t think they were as good last season as most people believe. All the favourable conditions were ripe for them to exploit last season, such as the absence of fans being conducive for their robot football and the size of their squad compared to everyone else's in the face of fixture congestion. They were rubbish at the start of the season when the other teams had more energy and no injuries, and they were rubbish in all the games they played against Chelsea, the one other team with a squad as deep as theirs. It will quite literally be a different ball game for them this season and i really doubt they’ll be able to get away with the false nine nonsense for much longer, if they fail to sign Harry Kane. If Harry Kane signs then that makes them significantly more threatening, but i still have my doubts. The frustrations at the failure to win the Champions League could snowball into a malaise and many key players have decided they want to leave. I think they’ll finish around the 80-85 point mark and disappoint a lot of people in the process.

As for 4th, i think it will probably turn out to be United ahead of Leicester, but i think this could also be the year Leicester finally get that 4th spot ahead of them. Their signings have been good, but the club is still rotten and ultimately Ole is still at the wheel. He’s practically a points cap incarnate. Another season of McFred would be laughable and i felt a certain sense of malaise seeping into the United squad at the back end of last season, culminating in the Europa League fiasco. There’s only so far you can get with ‘counter attack and vibes’ as your mode of coaching and i believe the more significant figures in the squad are exasperated with Ole’s naivety and limitations. They want more, they want a leader, and honestly who can blame them. You can have the best team in the world on paper but if all your manager demands of you is that you ‘try your best’, is too scared to demand anything of the players in a tactical sense and treats even the most embarrassing of losses with boundless positivity and zero accountability, you aren’t going to do that well.

I will review and repost this at the end of the season next May to gloat about how right i was about all of these predictions.

{Ed0666's Note - now if carlsberg did posts it would look something like this. Great read fella really enjoyed that. Gold star and the hamper goes to you.

16.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 19:32:59
Shappy, absolutely brilliant post and I fully agree with all you have said. The media and pundits are just throwing things around to make it sound like LFC are not title challengers cos we did not drop 100m or big fees on players whereas City, Chelsea have signed as many players as we have which is one. But cos Konate did not cost 65m or more, he seems not to count. Not too bothered.

As for City, if they don’t get a striker and play with that 0 striker formation, that ain’t going to cut it cos teams will have time now to work on negating that and Jesus is no Aguero. Utd may have signed 2 players BUT still have issues at GK, CM and not sure that a 35 yr old Cavani can get you a PL title, IMO. Chelsea? Let’s see what happens.

Liverpool? I know for a fact that a ton of City fans aren’t bothered about any other team BUT us. Why? They said so on SM cos they know that last season was a fluke situation with injuries and if it doesn’t happen to us this season, we are the ONLY club they fear.