This is the year that I'm waking up on Christmas Day and expecting something. I know it isn't a Nintendo any longer, but whatever piece of technology parents slog twelve months a year to provide. I expect it. It is going to be there, hand-delivered by Santa Claus himself.
It's weird, ironic, a sinister twist of fate, that George Michael released his fantastic ballad "Praying for Time" the same year we last won the league title.
"This is the year of the hungry man" indeed. Liverpool Football Club is hungry for this league title, possibly more than ever. We have those pariahs across the M62 snapping at our heels.
When I was told the league title would soon come back to Anfield, there was never an inclination from anybody that fourteen years, and eight league titles later that Manchester United could equal our proud record. Now that there is a distinct possibly it can happen, it will drive our lads harder than ever.
This is all fairytale stuff though, isn't it? Seventeen years without a title, and just when we're being threatened to be equalled and perhaps overtaken, we rise like Lazarus and bring home number nineteen. But even Cinderella had a modicum of reality. You should have seen the loan repayments on that glass carriage.
And here's that reality: we're signing two top, top Premier League players, despite what Martin O'Neill thinks. I was watching highlights of the game from Villa Park last season on LFCTV today. Barry looked heads and shoulders above his team-mates. He controlled the play, he dictated tempo; he basically did everything better than what an £18m Michael Carrick did for Manchester United.
He isn't a machine like Essien, granted. But we don't need one. We need somebody who can play in the domestic league calmly and concisely. Mascherano can bulldoze his way through attacking players; Alonso, if he stays, can provide a bit of class. What Barry does better than those two however is break up play and looks for the simple ball. And that's all Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt, Babel, Benayoun and Keane need. Speaking of Keane...
He's basically here, and I don't think there'll be a more astute signing this season by any football manager in any top flight division. The man gives us options across the front four and most importantly (like Barry), he knows this league inside out.
This isn't a Bellamy-style signing, or even a Crouch-style, with no disrespect to the big man. Rafa knows exactly what he wants to play next season and has acquired the man he knows will do the job to the highest standard from the start.
The signing of Keane raises questions regarding who'll be dropped to the bench. Whoever that may be, it doesn't really matter, because they'll be in good company. The new seven-sub rule has been brought in beginning this season and we're in the best position to take advantage of it. Can any other team match a bench of, for example...
Cavalieri, Hyypia, Skrtel, Benayoun, Babel, N'Gog, Voronin/Nemeth
We have Babel to call upon whilst United have Eagles. We have Skrtel, Chelsea have Ben Haim. And I know for a fact Benayoun is better than whatever 13 year old dear old Arsene is planning on putting there. Rafa is a man who, out of any manager in the league, utilises his "possibilities" the most. He will thrive with an extra two options on the bench.
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