100% Wire wrote:
Suarez's departure will have regressed Liverpool by a good few years, you can't possibly replace one of the world's best strikers and expect a season as good as the last one. I'd be willing to bet that Liverpool won't be in the top 4
I think most people would be willing to bet that, but nobody would have bet on Liverpool finishing top 4 last season, as most expected Spurs to be the only challengers for that place.
United may have a better manager but I still don't see a particularly better side. Their greatest strength for years has been their defence, they've lost Rio and Vidic who have great experience, they've lost Evra (not a great defender) who again has years of experience, and they've brought who in? Luke Shaw, a fantastic prospect, but will he fix their defensive woes? Not for me. They haven't strengthened the midfield defensively, they still have Valencia, Young and Nani on their books and they still look to be persisting with Rooney and RvP when, for me, the partnership just doesn't work that well.
Liverpool do look weaker, we definitely lack the player to make the difference in the big games, but I don't think people can underestimate Rodgers and his ability to improve people. I never considered Sterling an option at the start of last season, he's arguably our most consistent attacker now. Coutinho I felt could only play as a '10', but he's played midfield and shown a better all-round game. Sturridge was class last year, who's to say he's reached his ceiling? Who's to say any of our players have reached their ceiling? Suarez never arrived here a £75m player, I feel we've got some fantastic players on our books and the manager to make them even better. Who's to say Sterling won't get 20 next year? Coutinho won't get 15? Markovic won't get 15? I remember people saying all sorts when United let RvN leave the club, but Fergie put faith in Ronaldo and Rooney taking the mantle. I think Rodgers could do the same with Sturridge and Sterling.
Still, Liverpool's biggest weakness remains our full backs. So crucial to our play, but often our biggest liabilities defensively. We haven't signed any depth or even quality first choice players.
