Liverpool's new Swiss Bosman recruit Philipp Degen has spoken of his belief that next season the Reds can push hard for the crown of Premiership champions.
After finishing 11 points behind our dreaded rivals last season, the jury is out on whether Rafa Benitez can plug the gap and finally deliver a first title since 1990. With the signing of Degen and Italian left-back Andrea Dossena now confirmed, and a deal to bring in Villa captain Gareth Barry looking likely, Benitez' summer transfer plans look to be taking shape as he strives to wrestle the Reds closer to the summit of the Premiership come next May.
In his first interview since joining the Reds in pre-season training yesterday, Degen said: "I am sure we can challenge. We have a very strong team with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. But there are some strong opponents in Man Utd and Chelsea, so we will have to be very consistent. It's a long season and anything can happen but we will go into the first game of the campaign hoping to push them all the way."
So then, Degen is confident. Are you? How do you think we'll fair next season in the race for the title. Let us know below.
Source: www.liverpoolfc.tv
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The signing of Gareth Barry looks a formality as soon as Liverpool and Villa can agree on a fee to suit both parties. But is Barry our big-name summer signing? Or does Rafa have a Torres-esque deal up his sleeve?
No disrespect to the Villa captain. I think most Reds would agree that his goalscoring presence in the squad alongside Stevie G and Masch, regardless of whether Xabi decides to stay, would give us that extra competitive edge in the centre of midfield next season. But is it the signing to make the Premiership's other big hitters sit up and take notice of Liverpool as a genuine title contender next season.
Last summer, the Reds were being linked with strikers galore including the likes of Samuel Eto'o and David Villa, but ultimately Rafa surprised almost everybody with the acquisition of the prolific Senor Torres. But will this summer prove the same? With the wide areas in particular need of attention at the moment, will Rafa deliver a name as big as Torres at some point before the end of the summer transfer window?
We've all heard the names Silva, Joaquin and Quaresma being touted as potential arrivals at Anfield over the past few weeks, but do YOU think we can a) afford one of the aforementioned, and b) does Rafa even want a winger?
Let us know what you think by clicking on the comments box below.
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Trawling through our posts of recent weeks I've noticed that people are using an array of topics to declare which camp they are in when it comes to Rafael Benitez.
I myself have had my doubts about Rafa but after some deep, deep soul searching I came through with my belief in the Spaniard firmly intact. I like to look at the way the former Valencia boss has galvanised the whole club - from the academy upwards - during his four-year tenure, in a way resemblant of what Arsene Wenger did at Arsenal and Sir Red Nose at Manchester United.
People question Liverpool's results in the Premiership, and two successive trophyless seasons, but the pro-Rafa brigade say Benitez is building something. And I believe them.
You only need to look at the managerial merry-go-rounds at Newcastle United, Leicester City and Crystal Palace to see what a lack of stability can do to a club - terrific fanbase or not. If Rafa has been implementing a long-term plan since his arrival who is going to come in and see it through better than he? Nobody.
Others don't see it this way. For them Rafa perhaps isn't the tactical genius he is portrayed to be. They say his squad selections are suspect and his substitutions worse, while others point their fingers at some woeful decisions in the transfer market (Josemi, Antonio Nunez, Andriy Voronin have been examples given).
There were signs towards the end of the season though that Benitez has finally began to learn his lessons as far as the Premier League is concerned. I think he now understands you cannot afford to rest your best players, and that a game against a dogged side like Wigan can be just as tough as a trip to Old Trafford if you don't get it right. He has to take those lessons into next season however, or else another title tilt will have wobbled by Christmas.
The money he is being given to spend right now suggests he will be in charge come August's first kick off. Rightly so, in my opinion.
But which camp are you in?
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Three players from Manchester United, four from Arsenal, two from Liverpool, and just two from elsewhere (although interestingly not Chelsea). That's right folks, it's the Premier League team of the season.
Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased to see Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard named in the PFA's best XI, and I appreciate Manchester United and Arsenal have played the best football. But it was all a little predictable, wasn't it?
Was Roque Santa Cruz, who has starred in his debut season for Blackburn, or Robbie Keane, who excelled as Spurs won the Carling Cup, or Gareth Barry, who has helped turn Aston Villa back into a half-decent side ever going to get a look in? Pigs might fly.
So, here's the deal. Take out the top four teams from the Premier League and let us know what your star XI for the 2007/08 campaign would be.
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A Champions League semi final against Chelsea. Who would have thought it?
For the third time in four years it's the Reds versus the Blues for a place in European club football's most prestigious showpiece event. I don't think I need tell you what happened on the other two occasions.
There's different personnel this time round however, least not on the Chelsea bench where the swarve, sophisticated, fist-pumping, finger-wagging Jose Mourinho has been replaced by the multiple-chinned Yoda-lookalike Avram Grant.
For us, the freshest and finest new face is that of Fernando Torres (and I am talking about this footballing ability).
The past, the present, the players and the prize all make this the game no pundits want to predict. And I'm not letting my mind drift to Russia either. Honestly.
The question is: How would you line up for tonight's first leg if you were Rafael Benitez?
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While Tuesday's opponents may be more than familiar faces to Rafa, the latest tussle between Chelsea and ourselves will, for the first time, offer Rafa with the headache of how to approach a first leg played at Anfield.
Given our recent form at Stamford Bridge - which, alarmingly, hasn't seen us score there since Bruno Cheyrou grabbed the winner back in January 2004 - is it more vital than ever that we leave Anfield with a goal or two under our belts?
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There must be something in the water on this most absurd of April days.
As if Hicks and Parry making a mockery of themselves and the club all day hasn't been enough, it's now time for the other clown in this three-way circus to cartwheel in, spray water out of his flower, and make us all laugh an uneasy laugh with his humorous comments.
"I am saddened at this latest outburst from Tom Hicks," Gillett said as he pulled his tiny tricycle over long enough to speak.
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