After Ian Wright claimed at the weekend that Liverpool are his favourites to win the league, is the former player right? Can the Reds finally win the league title?
The Premier League top-four is a select group filled with the English heavyweights of football, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. This so-called ‘untouchable’ mini-league fight for the title each year, they boast some of the best players in the world, respected managers and endless bank balances.
Even as a Liverpool fan, I must admit Liverpool have failed to merit their place in this exclusive group over recent years. Despite Champions League success, Liverpool have had an average squad that has simply trailed off during the season. But even though as I write this it is not even half way through this season, I believe as a pessimistic (or maybe realistic?) fan, Liverpool have a real chance of League success for the first time in 18 years.
Early season results and league positions have put Liverpool in a strong position. Victories against Chelsea and Manchester United have demonstrated the team’s capacity to fight and beat the top teams. But these early season wins will mean nothing if Liverpool don’t keep winning. One problem with them has always been consistency. They have had good spells before but then they nose-dive, falling away as Manchester United or Chelsea pull away.
Another problem that has plagued Liverpool’s seasons has been the quality and depth of the squad. Even though I still feel there is room for improvement (a right-sided winger being the obvious weak point) the squad is defiantly better this year.
Benitez has brought in Albert Reira to other width on the left and Robbie Keane to support Fernando Torres up-front (though I am still not convinced that £20 million was really worth it!) When you combine this will Liverpool stalwarts like Gerrard and Carragher the squad finally looks worthy of title contention.
But the competition is stronger than ever and Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal have just as much chance of winning the league this season. Manchester United, as defending champions will still be favourites to retain their crown, and who could bet against a team that includes arguably the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Chelsea, under the guidance of
Luiz Felipe
Scolari have a new energy and attacking style that will make them hard to stop. And despite the recent problems I believe when Arsenal perform, no team can match their style of beautiful football. The
reoccurrence of Torres' Hamstring
injury will also hinder Liverpool, they need the Spaniard back fit and scoring as soon as possible.
But despite the quality of the opposition and unfortunate injuries I believe Liverpool do have the abilities to mount a serious title challenge. Manchester United may have the best player in the world on their team but I am unsure whether he is still a Manchester United player at heart, or if he wishes he was plying his trade in Madrid.
Chelsea may have advanced under
Scolari's management but Liverpool's and more recently Arsenal's
victory at Stamford Bridge shows that they are beatable. After Arsenal's recent
troubles I am unsure whether
Wenger's young guns can mentally and physically challenge for the title.
Liverpool may be underdogs (they are only third favourites with
bookmakers for the title behind Chelsea and Manchester United at the moment) but if they continue to keep up with the pace and hold off the challenges of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal the title may be within the reaches of Rafa
Benitez and Liverpool for the first time in many years.
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