Liverpool: Just How Far Can the Reds Go Next Season?

After their 3-1 demolition of arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday, the mouths of many Liverpool fans are watering at the prospect of next season.

With Kenny Dalglish at the helm, Liverpool have started a mini revival, taking 20 points from a possible 27—including impressive victories over Chelsea and Wolves.

Currently, the team sit in second place in the form table, with Arsenal pipping them to first.

With a new multi-billionaire owner and the brand new strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, just how far can Liverpool progress next season?

With the spine of the team consisting of Reina, Carragher, Gerrard and Torres for the past four years, the thought of Liverpool's star striker leaving the team was unthinkable—but the unthinkable became reality in January 2011, when Torres joined Premiership rivals Chelsea.

With the £50 million they gained from the Torres sale, Liverpool bought two of the most exciting young strikers in world football—Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Suarez was known for his darting runs, impeccable control and his goal scoring record, which saw him score 49 goals in 48 games for former club Ajax in the 2009/2010 season. After scoring within 20 minutes of his Liverpool debut, Suarez showed why he was worth the £23 million that Liverpool paid for his services.

His impressive performances since signing for the club culminated in a Man of the Match performance against Manchester United, a game in which his runs at the heart of the United defence caused them endless amounts of trouble.

For a player who has scored more goals in the Championship and made under 30 appearances in the EPL, £35 million seemed like an excessive price to pay for Andy Carroll. However, with critics tipping him for big things and after seeing him tear top level defences to pieces, it's safe to say that Liverpool have bagged their new No. 9—one who will please the Kop due to his passion and his playing ability.

The partnership between the two will eventually kick off and has the potential to be the rich man's Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips.

With the nonstop talk of Jose Manuel Reina joining Manchester United as a direct replacement for the retiring Edwin Van Der Sar this summer, Liverpool need to be clever with the signings they make. If Reina does leave, not only do they lose one of their most consistent performers, but one of the greatest goalkeepers in their illustrious history.

The transfer policy of owner John Henry is that he will buy big for any young player who will make an impact at the club—players they can sign long-term and that can build a legacy at the club.

Several media sources have been linking Brazilian playmaker Diego to the club, but whether this will come to fruition remains to be seen.

The youth policy is already strong at the club—players such as Suso, Daniel Pacheco, Raheem Sterling, Jack Robinson and Andre Wisdom are already creating a buzz at the English youth level and all of them are tipped for big things. Martin Kelly, only 20 years old, has already made an impact this season, with the one-time centre back knocking England's right back Glen Johnson out of position.

If Liverpool can keep hold of Jose Reina and buy a winger to supply crosses for Andy Carroll, then I see no reason why they can’t compete with the top teams in the league next season. The partnership between Suarez and Carroll is vital. Both are proven, consistent goal scorers—something the club used to rely on Fernando Torres for too much.

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher need to maintain the consistency which made them idols on the Kop, too.

With Lucas hitting the form levels expected of a Liverpool midfielder and Meireles showing why he proved to be a big hit at the World Cup, I don’t see a reason why Liverpool can’t win the Premiership next season for the 19th time in their history.

After all, anything is possible with King Kenny on the throne.

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