As the inaugural day of the Premier League dawns upon us, the team of 18 Yard Box has a look at the top teams and how the season could pan out for them. Its the Merseysiders who rule the roast today.
It was a season of "so close yet so far" for the Liverpool faithfuls. Rising from the ashes like a Phoenix, Liverpool stunned everyone with a dazzling display of football throughout the season. In a topsy turvy season, the scousers had one hand on the Premier League trophy when they defeated Manchester City in the month of Arpril. However, the boot, which Liverpool have relied on since the past decade, gave way at the most unfortunate moment as Steven Gerrard's tumble caused Demba Ba to score a goal in their match against Chelsea which enervated what little energy Liverpool had in them to go for the title. Despite being mathematically ahead at that stage, they found themselves second favorite on the final day of the season when the title eventually went to the blue side of Manchester.
Ins
Outs
However, this brand of football comes at a great cost. Where the Merseysiders scored 101 goals last season, they also allowed their defence to be breached for an astounding 50 times. The back four of Liverpool had a tormenting time last season. Although Lucas has been used as a shield, the 4-3-3 formation leaves plenty of gaps in the Liverpool defence which can be exploited. The acquisition of Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen this summer should help Liverpool solve this issue. The German midfielder plies his trade at the center of the park and adopts a more defensive minded approach, thereby plugging the holes. Another addition is the 25 year Dejan Lovren. A third raid on the Southampton team sees the Saints defender join Liverpool. He would provided the much neede support to Skrtel should Daniel Agger leave the club.
Expectations
Another season of fine quality football is what will be expected from them. With some shrewd signings, Rodgers has taken care of the depth of the squad. However, with all their rivals strengthening, Liverpool seems to be dropping behind the pecking order in the race for the title. Reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League and finishing in the top 4 should be the major criteria. However, Liverpool could spring up a surprise or two yet again if their new signings fire from the word go.
Players to look out for
1. Lazar Markovic
The Serbian sensation has big boots to fill and much will be expected out of him. Intrepid in his play, the 20 year old has the potential in him to be one of Premier League's greatest. Not only does he contribute in attacks, but also his commitment towards tracking back and helping his team in defence is a quality to be admired of. His crosses during his Benfica days have always been dangerous and he would soon be looking to make a place in the hearts of the Liverpool folklore.
2. Adam Lallana
The former Saints man provides The Reds with an attacker with the Premier League experience. Having worn the captain's armband at Southampton, Lallana also provides the leadership qualities to Liverpool. His runs from the wings with an eye for goals makes him a terrific acquisition.
3. Daniel Sturridge
Liverpool has always been a striker's haven with their fans have witnessed the magic of plenty of strikers in the form of Michael Own, Luis Garcia, Fernando Torres and the latest being their Golden Boot winner Luis Suarez. Sturridge is one such striker who would look to emulate such performances and fill in the gap left Suarez. With the support provided by the creative Coutinho, pacy Sterling and the effervescent Markovic this season, the English international would be the one Liverpool would rely on to provide them much needed threat in front of goal.
Written By,
It was a season of "so close yet so far" for the Liverpool faithfuls. Rising from the ashes like a Phoenix, Liverpool stunned everyone with a dazzling display of football throughout the season. In a topsy turvy season, the scousers had one hand on the Premier League trophy when they defeated Manchester City in the month of Arpril. However, the boot, which Liverpool have relied on since the past decade, gave way at the most unfortunate moment as Steven Gerrard's tumble caused Demba Ba to score a goal in their match against Chelsea which enervated what little energy Liverpool had in them to go for the title. Despite being mathematically ahead at that stage, they found themselves second favorite on the final day of the season when the title eventually went to the blue side of Manchester.
With their talisman, Luis Suarez having been lure by Barcelona, it remains to be seen as to how Brendan Rodgers prepares for a life at Anfield without the Uruguayan international.
A Glance at the 2013/14 season
The Merseysiders rolled back the years as Brendan Rodgers' team started the season firing on all cylinders. Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez gave Liverpool a dream season by scoring a combined 52 goals to lead Livepool's title charge. The coming off age of Raheem Sterling aided by the creative Coutinho were positives which Brendan Rodgers extracted from his side. The contribution of their talisman Steven Gerrard cannot be undermined as his leadership skills were the team's driving force. This coupled with the impressive performances of certain Jordan Henderson meant that Liverpool would go on to score a total of 101 goals altogether in the Premier League, a feat achieved for the first time in club's history.
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| Liverpool fans would certainly miss their number 7 |
Much credit needs to be given to the shrewd signings of Mamadou Sakho (from PSG), Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure (from Manchester City) alongwith the loan deals for Victor Moses (from Chelsea) and Ally Cissokho (from Valencia) who helped Liverpool sustain their title mount. Although Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto failed to impress in their first season, Brendan Rodger's nifty use of his resources now sees his side fighting amongst the elite in the Champions League this season.
Although the season ended trophyless for Liverpool, their fans can take pride from their team's performances last season as they witnessed some of the best football played by their team in Arsenal's 5-1 demise and also their victories against Norwich and Manchester City.
Major Transfers
Ins
NAME
|
FROM
|
TRANSFER FEE
|
Lazar Markovic
|
Benfica
|
£20.0m
|
Emre Can
|
Bayer Leverkusen
|
£8.0m
|
Adam Lallana
|
Southampton
|
£25.0m
|
Ricky Lambert
|
Southampton
|
£4.0m
|
Dejan Lovren
|
Southampton
|
£20.0m
|
NAME
|
TO
|
TRANSFER FEE
|
Luis Suarez
|
Barcelona
|
£74.0m
|
Iago Aspas
|
Sevilla |
loan
|
| Luis Alberto |
Malaga
|
loan
|
Andre Wisdom
|
West Bromwich Albion
|
loan
|
Style of play
Brendan Rodgers likes his team to play an attacking brand of football by using formations like 3-5-2 with marauding wing backs and Gerrard building attacks from the deep, a 4-4-2 diamond and an offensive 4-3-3 amongst which his popular choice has been the 4-3-3. Playing Lucas in the deep, Rodgers frees up Gerrard and Henderson to support the attack. Having had Suarez and Sturridge at his disposal last term, Rodgers would set the 'S&S' alongwith either Sterling or Coutinho on the left in front. Liverpool heavily rely on slick passing and fiery counter attacks to knuckle down their opponents. Using the pace of Sterling and Sturridge and the vision of Gerrard, Liverpool provide a deadly outlet for their attacks. An attack without Suarez would see the young Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic help Liverpool's cause. Markovic's turn of pace and the ability to play in all forward positions adds a new dimension to the Liverpool attack. Ricky Lambert, too, would provide the much needed experience in the center by being the much needed target man that Liverpool have lacked since the times of Peter Crouch.
 |
| Rodger's 4-4-2 narrow diamond formation which Liverpool had so often employed (pic courtsey: thisisanfield.com) |
 |
| Rodger's favourite 4-3-3 formation pic courtsey (talksport and sharemytactics.com) |
However, this brand of football comes at a great cost. Where the Merseysiders scored 101 goals last season, they also allowed their defence to be breached for an astounding 50 times. The back four of Liverpool had a tormenting time last season. Although Lucas has been used as a shield, the 4-3-3 formation leaves plenty of gaps in the Liverpool defence which can be exploited. The acquisition of Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen this summer should help Liverpool solve this issue. The German midfielder plies his trade at the center of the park and adopts a more defensive minded approach, thereby plugging the holes. Another addition is the 25 year Dejan Lovren. A third raid on the Southampton team sees the Saints defender join Liverpool. He would provided the much neede support to Skrtel should Daniel Agger leave the club.
Expectations
Another season of fine quality football is what will be expected from them. With some shrewd signings, Rodgers has taken care of the depth of the squad. However, with all their rivals strengthening, Liverpool seems to be dropping behind the pecking order in the race for the title. Reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League and finishing in the top 4 should be the major criteria. However, Liverpool could spring up a surprise or two yet again if their new signings fire from the word go.
Players to look out for
1. Lazar Markovic
 |
| Markovic promises to be an exciting prospect |
2. Adam Lallana
 |
| His intelligence would come in handy for The Reds |
The former Saints man provides The Reds with an attacker with the Premier League experience. Having worn the captain's armband at Southampton, Lallana also provides the leadership qualities to Liverpool. His runs from the wings with an eye for goals makes him a terrific acquisition.
3. Daniel Sturridge
 |
| He will need to step up for The Reds |
Liverpool has always been a striker's haven with their fans have witnessed the magic of plenty of strikers in the form of Michael Own, Luis Garcia, Fernando Torres and the latest being their Golden Boot winner Luis Suarez. Sturridge is one such striker who would look to emulate such performances and fill in the gap left Suarez. With the support provided by the creative Coutinho, pacy Sterling and the effervescent Markovic this season, the English international would be the one Liverpool would rely on to provide them much needed threat in front of goal.
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International, contributor for Starsports India and a writer and editor for 18 Yard Box.
Follow Rishabh Ghai on Twitter @rish2610
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