Liverpool FC Forum

by **bigmick** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:13 am

Definately we can win a close fought Premiership next season IMHO. As long as it's one of those seaons where the winners maybe lose five games and everyone is capable of beating everybody else, then we are in with a big shout. If it turns into a dogfight between us and Chelsea only with the two teams pulling clear, then it's less likely I would think.
As Chelsea have such a huge squad they are able to switch virtually the whole team around without much problem so we and the other challengers need some of the so-called lesser teams to start making some headway against them and force them to play their strongest team more often. This would also have the added effect of disrupting the squad as the lesser guys wouldn't get a game.
Much has been made of our head to head record with Chelseaover these last two seasons but I actually think it stands up pretty well. We've lost all four league games, two at the bridge where we could have no complaints and two at Anfield where we were a tad unlucky in one (seems a bit daft to say that when we lost 4-1 but it's true) and absolutely robbed in the other. We have won two of the games, the most recent of course being the Fa Cup semi and there have been four draws. One of those draws Chelsea went on to prevail in in added time, but as the equalizer was the result of an innoccuous free-kick which was deflected into his own net by our captain, it's a draw for me. That makes ten games, 4 wins for Chelsea, two for us and four draws. With even a smidgeon of luck it could easily be three each with four draws. It's hardly the physcological dominance that the SKY lapdogs would have you believe.
We have played them four times in the Champions League and they are yet to score a goal against us and there is absolutely no question in my mind at all that they know for certain that we are their nearest rivals whatever may happen in the last games of the season.
I don't know how many games Fernando Morientes has played for us this season, but it is my suspicion that had he played them in a blue shirt rather than a red one the league would be pretty tight already. I agree with John about Gerrards best position and if he can be persuaded to play there permanently we are close alright, very close.

by **Bad Bob** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:05 pm

bigmick wrote:One of those draws Chelsea went on to prevail in in added time, but as the equalizer was the result of an innoccuous free-kick which was deflected into his own net by our captain, it's a draw for me.

Big Mick, I'm shocked mate...this sounds a little like one of Jose's revisionist history ramblings!

In all seriousness, you're right...we've had some great performances against Chelsea (especially in the CL and FA Cup semi), some unlucky results and one significant blip (4-1). If we can manage to turn them over at Anfield next year and perhaps eke out a draw at the Bridge--results we are certainly capable of--we'll definitely give them a race, all other things being equal.

Everyone seems very concerned about Chelsea's spending power this summer...as though they are going to go out and buy players that will guarantee them a third title on the trot. The transfer market just doesn't work like that, though. Buying the likes of Ballack, Shevchenko, Eto'o or even Ronaldinho is no guarantee of success. As we've seen countless times, adapting to the English game is not so easy. Add to that the fact that such players would have to adapt to the Chelsea system...which may be much more inhibiting than the set-up they've grown accustomed to. So, yes, Chelsea will spend but even IF they spend wisely (and some of Jose's transfers have been nothing short of dodgy) and even if these players bed into the squad well (rather than unsettling the current squad) they're still not a cinch to repeat.

Having said that, the onus is on us to take it up another gear and compete from the outset next season. We can't afford anything less than a blinding start to the season. Here's hoping that the first of our 10+ game winning streaks next season begins in August!

by **72-1146193975** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:12 pm

Dimshen wrote:i think its wise to be realistic when considering our chances, too much optamism may end in tears, however, 2nd/more likely 3rd in the premiership with strikers who have performed to an average standard (at best) is a comendable and, from my point of view, satisfying achievement. the squad has performed well, but how much will it take to win the league? and how likely is it that we will aquire the personnel required to win it?

personally i dont think we can compete over 38 games with chelsea, but more imporantly, what do u think....?

ten wins in a row including wins over chelsea and manchester united says we can do it. :buttrock

btw the only thing that let us down this season was our poor start

GO GO REDS GO

by **alxy** » Tue May 02, 2006 3:24 am

i think chelsea will stumble a bit next season... even chelsea players have to be annoyed with all the :censored:

that is spouting out of Mourinho's mouth.. he is saying he wants to leave... he throws his premiership medal to the crowd (which i thought was not due to generosity but more arrogance i.e. "i have so many premiership medals that i can afford to throw mine to the crowd so na-na-na to all u other managers like Rafa...")

at some point sooner rather than later... all that :censored:

is just going to fall back on the team...

by **joko** » Tue May 02, 2006 7:01 am

how we can't win next season?

we're on the high hope to be the second this season and pretty close to chelsea plus we won the champion semifinal against chelsea and manutd and won semifinal again chelsea and almost won carling cup againts chelsea (if not gerrards own goal) last season

and the graphic trend is progressing and we are far from finsih article under rafalution and points to chelsea is getting closer.

very very can!

by **Alanay** » Tue May 02, 2006 9:23 am

If we do not have to play 50 games this season, we have probably won the league this year. In fact, we might win the 2nd place this season. It's only a point diff between us and ManU. So, with bigger squad next season, I sincerely think we will have double next year!

by **ALONSO** » Wed May 10, 2006 6:07 pm

OFCOURSE WEVE GOT A GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING THE LEAGUE THIS SEASON. CHELSEA ARE BEING SHOWN TO BE NOT AS INVINCIBLE AS TEAMS THINK THEY ARE. ALOT OF ITS ABOUT CONFIDENCE(LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TO ARSENAL WHEN MANURE BEAT THEM) AND THE CONFIDENCE THE TEAMS YOU PLAY HAVE. MORE VICTORIES=MORE CONFIDENCE. WHICH MEANS OPPOSING TEAMS HAVE LESS CONFIDENCE WHEN THEY PLAY YOU. COS CHELSEA HAVE SPENT ALL THIS MONEY EVERYONE ASSUMES THEYVE GOT A SUPERSTAR TEAM AND ARE UNBEATABLE. THERES ONLY A COUPLE OF PLAYERS ID SWQAP WITH THERES AND THATS THE WINGERS. WEVE GOT A STRONGER MIDFIELD AND MATCH THEM IN ALL OTHER AREAS.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Wed May 10, 2006 6:20 pm

If we bring in a quality right mid, and at least one prolific striker, both of whom click into the team quickly, I don't just think we can win the league, I think we WILL win the league. And that's irrespective of who everyone else buys and sells this summer.

Gonzalez and Aurelio will bring and make goals for us, Agger and Paletta will hopefully help stop goals going in, and frankly I think we're well on the way to having an absolutely frighteningly good squad.

Rafa has at least two big deals to make, and I just hope he throws his money at the right players. I genuinely think we're on the verge of something special, and this summer the board really have to put their weight behind him.

by **bigmick** » Wed May 10, 2006 7:11 pm

Bad Bob wrote:Big Mick, I'm shocked mate...this sounds a little like one of Jose's revisionist history ramblings!

Yeah it may be stretching the point a little bit Bob your probably right

. It just strikes me though that were it not for the 4-1, which bizarrekly could have gone either way, our record against them wouldn't be too shabby overall. Maybe my analysis was a bit one eyed though your quite right mate

.

by **Bad Bob** » Wed May 10, 2006 7:19 pm

bigmick wrote:
Bad Bob wrote:Big Mick, I'm shocked mate...this sounds a little like one of Jose's revisionist history ramblings!

Yeah it may be stretching the point a little bit Bob your probably right . It just strikes me though that were it not for the 4-1, which bizarrekly could have gone either way, our record against them wouldn't be too shabby overall. Maybe my analysis was a bit one eyed though your quite right mate .

No big deal, fella...I have so much trouble accepting any loss to Chelsea that I'm the same way!

I am really looking forward to our league matches with them next season. It's becoming a fantastic rivalry and it will be interesting to see what new wrinkles are in store after each team's spending this summer. Those will be the first games I highlight once the fixture list is released...absolutely massive tests of our title aspirations, those two games.

by **RedorDead** » Wed May 10, 2006 7:27 pm

I am always terrible come august, I mean every single year I convince myself that we will win the league that season, deep down though I know how good our chances really are.
So this season will be no different, come august I will be telling anyone who can bare to listen that Liverpool will be premiership champions come next may. The big difference this year though, is that deep down inside I actually do believe that we have a very good chance.
Our squad has improved dramatically in the last two seasons. Not only do we have better personnel but those players are very well organised with a superb spirit and belief. Games we would have let slip a few seasons back were won this year. There are weaknesses in the team, the right side isn't well covered and the strikers certainly under performed throughout the season but if Rafa can bring in some extra talent and the players we have continue to improve like they have then our team will be worthy champions should they go on to win the premiership.
While we may improve you cannot ignore the competition. Manchester Utd will remain competitive but Arsenal if they lose Henry will suffer. Tottenham may push for fourth but the team we all have to beat is Chelsea. I believe they were distinctly weaker this season than last. Jose has shown cracks and discipline is also a problem. If they lose one or two key players like Lampard or even Gallas then they may find themselves much harder pushed.
I don't know if we WILL win the league but as the question was CAN we...the answer just has to be yes!

by **woof woof !** » Wed May 10, 2006 7:41 pm

9 points behind Chelsea, 1 behind Man U . If we continue wwere we left off this season ANYTHING is possible .

Massive salutations to RAFA . Have doubted his judgement at times , but what the f*ck ,I'm only a fan and Rafa is THE MAN .

Provided other clubs get stuck in I expect next season to be one of the most closely fought for many a year . LFC to take it by 2 points .

(don't ask me why , it just came to me

)

by **LFCFan4Life** » Wed May 10, 2006 9:28 pm

Depends on who we sign really. We were in a similar situation under Houllier 5 years ago and he fecked it up. Benitez just yesterday stated that we have to be careful who we sign and he wants the deals done before the World Cup starts.

Which just shows a bit of a difference between the two managers. Hopefuly our players won't burn out, they've been playing since last July and those who are going to the World Cup could end up playing a full year almost.

by **ALONSO** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:52 pm

I think we can be atleast as effective as Chelsea if we can buy, duff, van nistleroy, pennant and a pacy striker. All these players are unhappy where they are so I reckon its gotta be worth a go.

by **Shawky_Gerrard** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:10 pm

with chelsee new players (SHEVA & BALLACK) i think the league is finished but no way we can do the 2nd place after the frightfuls chelsee

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