The 2007-08 Barclays Premier League campaign ended on a positive note for Liverpool FC: no, not the 2-0 win over Tottenham, but Fernando Torres' record-setting 24th Premier League goal.
If anything, the win against Tottenham was a meaningless fortune in a forgettable season. However, Torres' goal cemented his name is the record books, passing Ruud Van Nistelrooy for most goals scored by an overseas player in his first season.
Although the young striker had a successful year, his club however did not. After finishing fourth in the league table, barely qualifying for the Champions League, and then losing to Chelsea in this years Champions League semi finals, many questions were left answered at Anfield.
Many players who shone for the club last year were non factors in this campaign. This was epitomized by John Arne Riise's own goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi finals.
The drama off the pitch hasn't helped much either. The current feud between the North American owners hasn't improved any, and if anything, is stalling the efforts of Rafael Benitez to improve his club for next season.
That's something Rafa, and every other club manager, must do early this season with the European Championships on the horizon.
The Future
So, where does this leave the future of Liverpool? Well, hopefully the board room dilemma will be resolved soon and Dubai International Capital will take over half of the team's shares.
This would benefit Benitez by providing him with a bottomless money pit, like the one Avram Grant, Chelsea's manager, has to work with this summer. However, this is unlikely and Rafa is going to have to work with what he's got.
Gareth Barry is likely to join the reds in the near future. This will help them in the midfield and he should replace Xabi Alonso, who has been useless this year. Also, there is no question that Liverpool needs help at the back, and rumours that they are in the market for Barcelona back Éric Abidal are good news.
Barry and Abidal should aid Liverpool's effort to compete for the League Championship, amongst other tournaments. However, the offensive production of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, though large, needs assistance. And although Dirk Kuyt has proved himself a workhorse, he is nothing more than an excellent substitute.
Liverpool need a striker who can take some of the pressure off Fernando Torres up front. Some may argue that Liverpool should just utilize Ryan Babel more effectively, and though that point is arguable, it is not the answer.
Spanish Imports
Anyone who has followed Liverpool throughout Rafa's reign knows that he is the reason for the injection of Spanish talent into the squad. You might even say that Liverpool was successful in signing Fernando Torres because of Rafa.
So why not try it again?
There is another incredible Spanish striker out there, one that alongside Torres would put fear in the hearts of any opponent. You could even argue that this striker is better than Torres. You might have heard of him: David Villa.
Though Liverpool may not have the funds to carry out such a tall order, one thing is certain; if Liverpool were somehow, out of the blue, able to sign David Villa then one might almost guarantee their spot at the top of the Premier League table next season.
This may seem like a pipe dream to some, but at the moment, a pipe dream is exactly what Liverpool needs.
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5 months ago
If this form continues then it will soon be:
Bright past
Bleak present
Bleak future.
5 months ago
Unless Barca want rid of their whole squad I can't see abidal being allowed to leave.
5 months ago
Cheer up Kiran you could always support Chelsea FC or Arsenal FC........or worse still Everton FC.....
5 months ago
I was happy to find Chelsea withdrew their interest in David Villa. Not the kind of player I want to see at Chelsea or the EPL.. He definetely isnt better than Torres, thats for sure...
What Liverpool need more than anything is " Title Ambition". If Liverpool are still in with a decent shot at winning the league in March, I would say they've had a successful season...
5 months ago
I think one positive on this season is the relative success of the last 2 transfer windows. Since January, after an awful debut, Skrtel has showed he is a very good player and it looks like the central partnership of years to come (Agger-Skrtel) could be set. If you look back to the summer, there were some excellent signings. Not enough can be said about Torres' first season, Babel looks like a very good buy and Benayoun has contributed, I believe, more than 10 goals. Plessi looks to be a good buy for the future, he had a great debut against Arsenal. Oh, and brining in Mascherano on a permanent transfer, for I believe is 18 million including wages (a steal if true), was a great bit of business. Voronin was a free, but barely played and Intandje who doesn't look up to, was only brought in to play a few games a year. Hopefully Rafa has finally gotten it right with his transfers.
5 months ago
Abidal will move on to liverpool if the offers there and although he is just a leftback he is fast down the wing, tall for corners and is strong + wise. he would add some "championship winning" mentality to the team and give us some steal in set pieces.
Barry. I think, well hell, i almost know that he will play left wing/ left back and partly CM. he is amazing though. he can score goals of the season, has an great passing ability and can defend + he is quick enough and skillfull enough to get down the wing.
But i feel like most that these two 8/10 players at best wont be enough. we need to get mancini and the whole valencia team is there for the picking. David villa aint going to liverpool as apprently madrid have bidded 24 mil for him and thats way out of our reach. we imo need one sergio aguero. this guy has flair, BALL CONTROL, wonder goals, is young and is a liverpool fc supporter. check mate imo.
To get barry we should sell carson and give em 6 mil just to shut em up. that being sorted we could cash out straight away on abidalfor 10mil but no trades as i dont feel like they would be up for any of our players and last but not least aguero. He can be our "big buy" this summer and i think he would be in the reigon of 18mil. may sound alot but with crouch going for 10ish (not 15) and others like riise we would be getting him on the cheap. he plays up top, "the gerrard role" and on the wings so would be great plus we'd have him for life.
all this would cost 25mil which is apprently our budjet so maybe im spot on
5 months ago
In response to the aritcle, whether Martion Oneil likes it or not, Barry will most likely be a red next season. As for Abidal, although I would love him here next season Benitez has already publicly stated that he is not interested. That leaves only one quality left back who is available on the market, Phillip Lahm. IMO Lahm is a much better player than abidal however his size and stature may not be suitable for the EPL, neverthless he could provide the answer to the Mans Evra.
James if David Villa is out of reach then Aguero is a mile away. This kid is not being shopped around and is commanding a 30mil price tag. So, unless DIC come in forget about it.
All in all if we can get 2 quality wingers ala D.Silva and Quaresma or Vicente than Babel and Kuyt should suffice in the current system as back ups.
5 months ago
I would not mind Phillip Lahm at all, and as for David Villa... you're right about DIC needing to take over for that to be likely. But maybe we can raise enough for him from the players we sell, I'm sure Valencia would rather send him north than next door to Real.
5 months ago
The perfect player for us to sign, despite me and and lot of other liverpool fans hating him, would i think be ruud van nistelrooy. he is just a finisher, and is one of the best in the world inside the penalty box, which is what we need.
4 months ago
i'm a fan in zimbabwe. I think David Villa and Van Nistelrooy will be the perfect signing; we lack the final touch upfront. The pressure is just too much for Torres.
4 months ago
I am from croatia and big fan of liverpool fc.daniel alves,diego from werder and villa or aguero will be great sings.voronin and players like him are not for Lfc.
2 months ago
I am Dane from jamaica i think that liverpool needs another stricker but David Villa or Van Nisterrooy i am not sure why not etto, henry or kean
2 months ago
I THINK THAT LIVERPOOL WILL DO IT THIS SEASON IF WE WIN OUR FIRST FIVE MATCHES
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