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Liverpool: Season 2009-10 Preview
Goal.com's Mike Maguire previews Liverpool's upcoming campaign...
12-Aug-2009 5:23:52 PM
It was a case of so close yet so far for Liverpool last season, as they fell four points short of Manchester United in their bid for a maiden Premier League crown. In the end, it was the same old mistakes that foiled their title tilt; for whilst their record against the rest of the ‘Big Four’ was exemplary, all too often they threw away points against opposition they would have expected to beat.
Nevertheless, the progress was there for all to see. Not only did they push the Red Devils right to the wire, but they finished the season playing arguably the best brand of football in England. Now, as a summer of few yet highly significant changes draws to a close, it is all up to the Kop club as they look to take that extra step in 2009-10.
Summer Market
The legendary Sami Hyypia was the first of Liverpool’s casualties this off-season, soon followed by fringe-dwelling wingers Jermaine Pennant and Sebastian Leto. Meanwhile, Andriy Voronin returned from his loan stint at Hertha Berlin and Chris Mavinga, the young French defender, signed from Paris Saint-Germain.
The club’s first major move was to prise Glen Johnson, the England right-back, away from Portsmouth. That would result in Alvaro Arbeloa’s departure for Real Madrid, and Xabi Alonso – one of the Premier League’s outstanding performers last term – joined his fellow Spaniard at the Bernabeu in a €34 million deal.
However, ‘Pool did not waste any time securing a replacement for the Basque midfielder, with the talented Alberto Aquilani arriving from Roma just days later. It remains to be seen if that will be the last of Rafa Benitez’s spending this summer; for while the press keep touting the likes of David Silva, Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner for an Anfield switch, there is confusion as to whether the manager actually has any money left to spend.
There may be another sale or two in the offing, however. Andrea Dossena is expected to return to Italy after an indifferent first season in England, and Barcelona have pursued Javier Mascherano all summer long – although the unsettled Argentine now looks likely to stay, at least for another season.
They key for Liverpool this season will lie in central midfield. Once their strongest facet by far, Alonso’s departure will leave the untested and injury-prone Aquilani and the oft-scorned Lucas Leiva (arguably the club’s best performer in pre-season) to fill the void beside Mascherano. Young guns Jay Spearing and Damien Plessis may have to step up should the Italian and/or the Brazilian be unable to do the job.
In defence, there are concerns over whether the likes of Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio can stay fit for the majority of the campaign. If they can, the Reds should maintain their status as one of the stingiest teams among Europe’s elite, with Jamie Carragher at the heart and Johnson providing some fresh drive off the right; if not, some youngsters may have to step up, and Arbeloa’s versatility could be missed.
Steven Gerrard will, of course, be pivotal up forward as the driving force behind Fernando Torres, who will be hoping for an injury-free season after his hamstring troubles last term (although he still managed to notch up 14 league goals). With the indefatigable Dirk Kuyt on the right, and Albert Riera, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun fighting it out on the left, the Mersey men’s attack hasn’t changed from last term when they topped the scoring charts.
Star Man
Who else but Steven Gerrard? Although he will be run close by Torres in the headline-grabbing stakes, it is the skipper who remains the heartbeat of Liverpool Football Club. The Scouse superstar could be more important than ever this term, given the removal of Alonso’s creativity and calming influence...
... And it is Xabi’s departure that will see the newly arrived Alberto Aquilani spend plenty of time in the spotlight – if he ever makes it off the treatment table. Injuries have hindered the gifted playmaker’s career thus far, and the jury is out as to whether he can prove his fitness and successfully assume the role of midfield maestro on Merseyside.
Just four points separated Rafa Benitez from Kop immortality at the end of the 2008-09 season. But, as ever, it was matters off the field that drew the media’s attention where the gaffer was concerned, from his infamous rant at Sir Alex Ferguson to his tortuous (and torturous) contract talks. But now, with more authority over transfers and a whole heap of on-pitch progress under his belt, Benitez’s situation at the helm is as stable as it has ever been since that Champions League triumph in 2005.
Nevertheless, the pressure on the Spaniard is immense, for now he must bear a burden he has never before had to deal with in the Premier League: expectations. And not just from the fans, for the wider community is now waiting to see if the Reds can build upon the stellar progress they made last term. Any step backwards, no matter how minor, is bound to be scrutinised sharply, so the only way is up for Rafa and his Reds.
To win the Premier League – it's that simple. While you can bank on another solid run in Europe, and while success in one of the domestic cups would be welcomed, the league title is far and away Liverpool’s highest priority. The fans want it, the players want it, and the manager wants it. Second just might not be good enough for the Kop faithful this time around.
Mike Maguire, Goal.com
Nevertheless, the progress was there for all to see. Not only did they push the Red Devils right to the wire, but they finished the season playing arguably the best brand of football in England. Now, as a summer of few yet highly significant changes draws to a close, it is all up to the Kop club as they look to take that extra step in 2009-10.
Summer Market
The legendary Sami Hyypia was the first of Liverpool’s casualties this off-season, soon followed by fringe-dwelling wingers Jermaine Pennant and Sebastian Leto. Meanwhile, Andriy Voronin returned from his loan stint at Hertha Berlin and Chris Mavinga, the young French defender, signed from Paris Saint-Germain.
The club’s first major move was to prise Glen Johnson, the England right-back, away from Portsmouth. That would result in Alvaro Arbeloa’s departure for Real Madrid, and Xabi Alonso – one of the Premier League’s outstanding performers last term – joined his fellow Spaniard at the Bernabeu in a €34 million deal.
However, ‘Pool did not waste any time securing a replacement for the Basque midfielder, with the talented Alberto Aquilani arriving from Roma just days later. It remains to be seen if that will be the last of Rafa Benitez’s spending this summer; for while the press keep touting the likes of David Silva, Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner for an Anfield switch, there is confusion as to whether the manager actually has any money left to spend.
There may be another sale or two in the offing, however. Andrea Dossena is expected to return to Italy after an indifferent first season in England, and Barcelona have pursued Javier Mascherano all summer long – although the unsettled Argentine now looks likely to stay, at least for another season.
Newbie | Johnson will give the Reds a new dimension
SquadThey key for Liverpool this season will lie in central midfield. Once their strongest facet by far, Alonso’s departure will leave the untested and injury-prone Aquilani and the oft-scorned Lucas Leiva (arguably the club’s best performer in pre-season) to fill the void beside Mascherano. Young guns Jay Spearing and Damien Plessis may have to step up should the Italian and/or the Brazilian be unable to do the job.
In defence, there are concerns over whether the likes of Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio can stay fit for the majority of the campaign. If they can, the Reds should maintain their status as one of the stingiest teams among Europe’s elite, with Jamie Carragher at the heart and Johnson providing some fresh drive off the right; if not, some youngsters may have to step up, and Arbeloa’s versatility could be missed.
Steven Gerrard will, of course, be pivotal up forward as the driving force behind Fernando Torres, who will be hoping for an injury-free season after his hamstring troubles last term (although he still managed to notch up 14 league goals). With the indefatigable Dirk Kuyt on the right, and Albert Riera, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun fighting it out on the left, the Mersey men’s attack hasn’t changed from last term when they topped the scoring charts.
Star Man
Who else but Steven Gerrard? Although he will be run close by Torres in the headline-grabbing stakes, it is the skipper who remains the heartbeat of Liverpool Football Club. The Scouse superstar could be more important than ever this term, given the removal of Alonso’s creativity and calming influence...
Heart | 'Stevie G' will be as important as ever this term
One To Watch... And it is Xabi’s departure that will see the newly arrived Alberto Aquilani spend plenty of time in the spotlight – if he ever makes it off the treatment table. Injuries have hindered the gifted playmaker’s career thus far, and the jury is out as to whether he can prove his fitness and successfully assume the role of midfield maestro on Merseyside.
Doubts | Is Aquilani 'fit' to lace Alonso's boots?
ManagerJust four points separated Rafa Benitez from Kop immortality at the end of the 2008-09 season. But, as ever, it was matters off the field that drew the media’s attention where the gaffer was concerned, from his infamous rant at Sir Alex Ferguson to his tortuous (and torturous) contract talks. But now, with more authority over transfers and a whole heap of on-pitch progress under his belt, Benitez’s situation at the helm is as stable as it has ever been since that Champions League triumph in 2005.
Nevertheless, the pressure on the Spaniard is immense, for now he must bear a burden he has never before had to deal with in the Premier League: expectations. And not just from the fans, for the wider community is now waiting to see if the Reds can build upon the stellar progress they made last term. Any step backwards, no matter how minor, is bound to be scrutinised sharply, so the only way is up for Rafa and his Reds.
Pressure | Rafa's Reds can't afford any slip-ups
ObjectiveTo win the Premier League – it's that simple. While you can bank on another solid run in Europe, and while success in one of the domestic cups would be welcomed, the league title is far and away Liverpool’s highest priority. The fans want it, the players want it, and the manager wants it. Second just might not be good enough for the Kop faithful this time around.
Mike Maguire, Goal.com
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