if we are in this position next season.....

Haha absolutely. Lets hope benitez gets the real job and decides he needs a big target man

I expect Chelsea to be very strong next season they have a really good squad and will strengthen further and may even have Mourinho back. City will clear out the dross and strengthen and United will add one or two players to a very strong squad. That for me is the top three spots tied up already. This leaves one spot up for grabs between Liverpool, Everton, Spurs and Arsenal. Your money would have to be on one of the North London clubs there.
Under the current owners, Liverpool dont have the financial power to outspend the subsidised clubs and Arsenal say they are about to unshackle their spending. This together with another season without Champions League money is going to disadvantage them in the transfer market, added to the fact that some players wouldnt even consider joining a club not in the Champions league.
Liverpool are clearly a special club in terms of history and fanbase and that gives them some advantage but perhaps not enough in these days of high finance. I actually think they would be the perfect club for a sheik or oligarch to purchase. They would be a lot cheaper than United and wouldnt require that much investment to get them back on track. I just cant see it happening under FSG.

Siempre, I can. JimmyTheRed

Not on a wum we shouldn't and I say SHOULDN'T slip up again 100% isn't impossible

Siempre talks a lot of sense, and I think Mourinho will definitely be back at Chelsea next season. I've already wagered that..

That could be the shot in the arm for a 3-way title race which would be brilliant to see unfold.

But again we, LFC, will be left looking in from outside.

The comment, "I actually think they would be the perfect club for a sheikh" probably sticks in the minds and throats of many LFC followers...

Had Moores not tried to play DIC off versus Gillet and Hicks the story would have been somewhat different.

We are where we are and the only way for LFC is to make ground slowly but surely... However if the bar keeps getting driven higher by Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd (in that order.. Mourinho will have a massive effect) then LFC may not get there for a few years!

C'est la vie and all that.

maybe it will happen Jimmy but every season outside of the CL is going to make it harder. Its Man City who have upset the apple cart and have taken the spot that was usually Liverpools. It used to be quite easy to get 4th spot, but not anymore.
Liverpool have played ok and have quite a good team but they are miles off the pace.

If dic had taken us over, we would probably be in just as poor a position, as they went financially t*ts up not long after.
I do get the feeling that the club is being primed for a buy out though. Fsg would probably want around £400m but that would still be a huge amount cheaper than any other top club.
They have pushed up the commercial income and are about to get another £25m pa in extra tv revenue.

An awful lot will depend on who is brought in in the summer. To regain anywhere in the top four in the next year will be difficult. Another two or three Coutinho-class players - nothing less will do - could make a difference. Redinthehead is absolutely spot on: the very thought of a rich Arab turning up and buying success, Chelsea style, frightens me. Success at all cost just does not appeal. JimmyTheRed

I agree with that Jimmy. As much as I detest the Glazers, they have two things in their favour, firstly they seem to be able to make money out of thing air (£100m for the training kit !!) and secondly, they just let Fergie get on with the football side and other than setting the budget, have never interferred. Most other owners particularly the wealthy ones have interfered to a greater or lesser extent.

Look no further Siempre, than the world expert himself. the idiot from Stamford Bridge. I do not jest when I say this, but the fans there have my sympathy, they actually deserve better. jimmyTheRed