With Brendan Rodgers beginning his second term as Liverpool boss, the expectations going to be a lot higher this time around. In his first season, Liverpool fans accepted that Rodgers had to go through a learning period. That, coupled with having to move out some of Kenny Dalglish’s poor signings, meant that Rodgers was allowed a pass on Liverpool’s dismal seventh placed league position.
However, fans will not be as forgiving if the Anfield club finish in a similar spot at the end of this campaign. A top four challenge is considered the minimum requirement, with fans demanding that the club get back into the Champions League equation.
Tickets are available for live football events 2013. The Premier League season has just gotten underway, and there are plenty of exciting games to look forward to.
Liverpool have invested well this summer, particularly with the arrivals of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and defender Kolo Toure, both of whom will immediately improve the first team. They have also signed Spanish attacker Iago Aspas and French left back Aly Cissokho, two players who will add balance and depth to the squad.
With all their major players fit, Luis Suarez unlikely to be granted a transfer, and their top four rivals Arsenal looking in a shambles, there is no reason why Rodgers cannot mount a serious challenge for a Champions League spot.
For Liverpool to make the top four, they have to finish above Arsenal and Tottenham, two London teams who fared far better than them in the last campaign. Finishing above Arsenal is a real possibility, with the Gunners having moved on 13 first team members without signing too many replacements.
However, Liverpool will have to show a level of consistency that has eluded them since Rafa Benitez departed the club. It is not enough to put in a couple of great performances in a month; Liverpool have to be on their game week in week out. Under Dalglish and Rodgers, Liverpool have had no problem turning it on against the top sides, only to drop points against a Villa or Wigan or West Brom.
Finishing above Spurs might be a task too difficult for Rodgers, even if Tottenham are to lose star man Gareth Bale. Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas has spent a lot of money this summer on Paulinho, Etienne Capoue, Nacer Chadli and Roberto Soldado.
With Bale set to depart, he is close to completing the signings of Brazilian star Willian, Eric Lamela from Roma, and Fabio Coentrao from Real Madrid. If AVB can get these signings to gel together, Spurs are firm favorites for the fourth and final Champions League spot.
This may be a challenging season for Liverpool, but they are still a great team to watch. If you want to see Liverpool matches live, you may want to buy tickets to their games online.
That is not to say Liverpool do not have a chance. League positions are not determined on paper, and the Anfield club has plenty of quality players. If Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho have great seasons, Liverpool could be on the verge of something special.
It will all hinge on how well Rodgers rotates his squad, whether senior players can stay fit, and if he can find a level of consistency that has eluded Liverpool for the past half-decade.
Written by Matt Milstead
Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmlstd2
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