Expectations

We need a couple of reinforcements to become a real threat to City and Liverpool.---------------------------------------------------------------
C'mon people, LFC aren't in the Man C bracket. They've won nothing under Klopp!

comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 1 hour, 41 minutes ago
I think we should be careful I'm happy to see us playing good football, possession football. I'm happy to at last have a coach who allows flair players to express themselves - maybe at last we'll see Hazard, Willian and Pedro fulfil their potentials. I was bored to tears by Conte and Mourinho, embarrassed by their awful behaviour and ritual slagging off of opponents, by negative football and negative press.

I hope we get top 4 and play well this season. I hope we never fall below 60% possession except maybe against City who will fight us for the ball. I hope Hazard enjoys himself and decides to stay. Any more than that would be a bonus. We need a couple of reinforcements to become a real threat to City and Liverpool.
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Liverpool are strong but I can't be the only one who thinks they are a tad hyped up?

We beat Liverpool last season under Conte while they were flying in Europe, It was a fairly easy win too.

Liverpool are strong but I can't be the only one who thinks they are a tad hyped up?
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Think that depends on how your framing the pro-argument.

Liverpool have a very strong identity as a club right now which isn't defined by their history or great vocal support (finally). They're not the best in this country, that's clearly City, but they're the best version of what they are if that makes sense - no-one presses quite like they do and no-one attacks quite like they do. Unlike lets say Spurs who incorporate a couple of different styles to form how they play, or ourselves (under Sarri) whose style is heavily Pep inspired with the Regista twist, Liverpool add something very unique to the league.

The reason they might be a problem for us specifically is a question of their style (which they know far better than we know ours atm) trumping ours in key aspects, but that same style will trip them up against other teams, e.g. Jose's United - they haven't beaten them yet

I think Liverpool are fairly judged to be the biggest threat to City

City were overwhelming favourites to retain across the pundits though... at least on BBC

I feel the same as before the season. 3rd is most likely our ceiling but obviously you can’t rule us out for 1st/2nd if Liverpool/City ate badly affected by injuries/form/CL. We have Europa but should be able to coast through with our 2nd string until the last few rounds. They can’t coast in CL.

1. City
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Spurs
5. Arsenal
6. United

All this sounds eerily familiar to 13/14 season.
Manager and fans talking down title chances, due to City & Liverpool top-heavy attack's (our "lack of depth upfront" ), our shaky/leaky defence and midfield at the beginning.

Yet come mid-season we were up there looking strong in defence & midfield (no longer leaking goals) competing for the title right until the very end (European semi-final to contend with also)
Incidentally that season was the last time Hazard scored a hat-trick (prior to Saturday) and we beat Cardiff by the same scoreline after going behind.

Do I think City will repeat (or better) the heroics of last season? No. That's insane, if they do.

Teams/coaches tend to work harder (hell-bent) on stopping the reigning champs and laying down a marker, won't be a walkover for City this time round.
One of the factors in why it's been very difficult to retain the title.

Provided Hazard can significantly improve (direct) goals output and strikers score important goals (like Eto'o did in the big matches) we'll be there or thereabouts again.

If it's a case of title being decided between Chelsea, City and Liverpool into the last 6 matches (akin to 13/14 season), we'll have done very well.

Pedro is the Schurrle of that season, will chip-in with fair few goals.

Alonso is Ivanovic (divisive figure due to being slow and defensive deficiency), comes up trumps in the box with winning/clutch contribution

Mf you forgot we head to Anfield late on again

The thing Liverpool have is that they have a way of playing and the players to do it effectively. Our squad is better in parts and worse in part but our manager is just changing our style of play now. We need a proper defender and a proper striker. I like Giroud - team player and a great buffer for the likes of Willian, Pedro and Hazard but he won't score 20 goal. Saying that, if the other three score 20+ this season, problem solved!