I mean, there are deluded fans, of which there are many.

Then there are Liverpool fans in a league of their own.

A Spurs fan calling us deluded? Whatever next!

Yes of course, next year is your year for sure.

I knew it was only a matter of time before somebody once again repeated that myth.

yeah but next year is Liverpool year

Wasn't last year, going to be Spuds year?

Now Harry's going to jail and there best player wants out

I don't see any reason why not. The players are enjoying their football again and seem to have taken to Kenny and Co's training and systems like a duck to water. Like any job in life - if you enjoy the work the chances are it'll deliver better results.

I think with the new signings we've made so far we now have a team that is as good in qualty on the bench as on the field. Maybe another couple of signings and we will have a really, really good squad of players. We saw it last year with Robinson and Flanagan that the youth set up is now bearing fruit and and there's a core of extremely talented youngsters that will stand us in good stead for the future.

No European football could work in our favour with fitter fresher players but I would personally liked to have seen an Europa League adventure as a basis for giving some of the fringe/youth players more match experience. The way we are going at the minute we would certainly have the squad for it!

Hopefully we can move a bit of our 'deadwood' on and register a quality squad of players for the coming season.

If the new signings can 'click' then I really see a team full of goals. Plenty of creativity in the middle, Downing supplying Big Andy with the ammo, Suarez and Kuyt forming a good partnership, a fit Gerrard - there's opportunities galore

Regarding the other teams, it's hard to say -

Arsenal will be Arsenal. There or there abouts but lifting no trophies. I really think that if Fabregas (Nasri to a lesser extent) goes then the wheels could really fall off.

Spurs were just a flash in the pan and until 'Arry gets a couple of decent strikers they are no more than a decent team.

Man City are just too unpredictable. They have a quality attack but at the back they are vulnerable and like Arsenal - if Tevez goes then anything could happen.

It'll be interesting to see how Villas Boas does. I cannot see how players like Terry, Cole and Lampard would be happy with such a young coach. Drogba has another good season in him but I seriously think we have seen the best of Torres. He made the move to Chelsea but I honestly think he shpuld have waited and went back to Spain. My opinion is that his heart isn't really at Stamford Bridge.

And on to United. Like him or not but Ferguson can get an average team to play. They can grind out the results when they matter. Rooney needs a big season and Hernandez will get a bag load again. Scholes will be missed no doubt. It'll be interesting to see if they try and replace him. Personally I think Van Der Sar will be their biggest loss. It's such a big risk to stick such a young lad in as No 1 keeper and I think he may struggle.

So that's my tuppence worth. I don't see why we need to fear any other clubs. We are building a real quality squad and if we can translate the way we play against the 'bigger' teams onto the 'smaller' teams then I think it will make for a very, very interesting season

next year is Liverpool year

United fan in (relative) peace.

Every year i think all fans are perfectly entitled to have hope and optimism for the season ahead, so i don't actually begrudge Liverpool fans saying "next year is our year". After all i do it with United and the CL!

The OP makes some interesting points, one of which is the lack of the Europe factor - having to play 12 less games is bound to have a positive effect on the squad (in terms of less injuries, less tiredness etc.) which is why i feel that Liverpool will be pushing for a European place this year, with an outside chance of a top 4 spot. I still cant see beyond last seasons top 4 - yes, there is some turmoil at the moment, but that will all settle down soon. Chelsea have a new manager, but i think that will reinvigorate them. City will keep throwing money at the problem until they win the league, United i am hoping will not be as careless with their away form next season so will not drop as many points, and Arsenal, despite what is going on will not be as weak as people are thinking (even if Cesc goes!).

The reason i dont think higher is that i am still not convinced about the squad strength and the players bought.

Henderson, really didn't cover himself in glory at the Under-21s at all, in fact he looked out of his depth at that level. Now this could be down to him just having a bad tournament (he wasn't alone!), and he will come through that, but combined with his form tailing off last season too, the jury is out on him IMO

Charlie Adam is also another purchase which i am not entirely sure about either, he was a big fish in a small pond at Blackpool and as such got a lot of the ball from his teammates, whereas at Liverpool he will not get as much of the ball, as Suarez, Gerrard will be wanting it too, and i think he could struggle a bit with expectations.

On top of this, i think that age is catching up on two great servants to the club; Carragher and Gerrard. I can't honestly count how many times Gerrard has, by the force of will alone, lifted the team out of trouble and got them valuable points. Replacing his influence will be immensely difficult.

However, I agree with the OP on your youth - that is the key for all clubs, to invest in bringing their youth through. I was impressed with what i saw last season of Kelly (he is CB by trade, isn't he, so might alleviate the Carragher problem) and Flanagan (i confess i still don't see what Spearing offers!!), and they will be good additions to the team, with a loyalty that can't be bought!

I admit that i was skeptical of Kenny returning thinking he had spent too long out of the game, but he has done something which was desperately needed at Liverpool and that was re-engaging the fans with the club, after a bruising few years.

There are certainly signs of encouragement for Liverpool fans, but i think you will have to learn to walk before you can run - a push for Europe next season (why put too much pressure on the team) and any extra is a bonus.

Op,
A team from Liverpool that went out on the 1st day of the season,with the thought that they wouldnt be competing for the title,would be Everton.
Of course we will be eyeing the title up and for all the reasons you have given,and a few more besides.
Theres a buzz around the club at the moment and quite right too.
Whether or not that will win us the title this year,who knows?
What I do know is the players and staff will be giving 110% and I for one cant wait for the season to start.

Look at the results against the big teams last season:

3 points off Utd
6 points off Chelsea
2 points off Arsenal
3 points off City
0 points off Spurs
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The only way you can truly beat a team is either finish above them or end the season with more trophies, you did neither to any of those teams

next year is Liverpool year

next year is Liverpool year

'Player for player we are as good as united'

The delusion is strong in this scouse

Well come on, how many superstars have United got? Not that many. But they play very well as a team, and so they win things.

If you look at Man City's squad, on paper it p!sses all over United's, but they haven't gelled as a team and so are not as successful.

next year is our year

What happens if next year is our year ??? will it be "previous to next year that was your year is your year?"

mmmmmm!!!

I am a wum. Please delete my comment.

Some fans just never learn do they?

Got_Better (U6241) I don't have a problem with fans being optimistic, everyone is about their team at this time of year but you have finished 6th and 22 points off the league leaders, prior to that you finished 7th and 23 points off the league leaders. Irrespective of what the media may have you believe you have gone backwards just as Chelsea and Arsenal have done.

There is a massive difference between blind optimism and sheer delusion. I doubt very much your players are even good enough to make top 4, but expecting a title win at this stage in your clubs transition is sheer delusion, It would be the equivalent of Rangers winning the Champions League

Especially with calamity ken in charge

Calamity Ken?

The man that allowed Blackpool to complete the double over you as well as escaping an embarrassing a Merseyside Derby by the skin of his teeth as well as the fact he has yet to muster a Premier League win as Liverpool manager since he got his contract and big paycheck

Bubbles
======
You are way of, explain how we came 4 points from the title and have lost, Torres (replaced by Carroll/Suarez), Masch (Lucas Henderson can fill) and Alonso (Aqualini/Adam/Meireles can fill), Arbeloa (Johnson, Kelly can fill), Reira (Downing/Maxi/ can fill) in 2009 yet are uncertain of even 4th next term??

Look at the brackets, Liverpool now have 2 quality players (sometimes 3) for every position.....even better options than 2009.

I can see that 3 world class players have left, but look att Suarez?? better for Liverpool than Torres? Looks like it, who to say that different players and options are better for Liverpool than the players that left?

What? Last season?? Cant compare it is COMPLETELY different in EVERY level...EVERY!!

You WILL be suprised....wait, learn, watch and then come back and appologise..