Its Liverpools season.

City obv still clear favs but if LFC upgrade the GK (not difficult) and get Fekir then a team of this looks a beast of a side and would make them clear 2nd favs:

              GK (Alisson?)

Arnold - Lovren - Virgil - Robertson

         Fabinho - Keita

     Salah - Fekir??? - Mane

           Firmino

Will probably receive another couple of lessons in football from Tottenham Hotspur next season.

As Tottenham Hotspur march inevitably towards winning nothing again next season.

If the majority of teams park the bus against City like last year then nobody is going to bridge that gap. Hopefully a good few more of them have copped on by now.

They have too many players returning from international duty without a proper break . Surely gonna catch up with them at some point . May just scrape into a CL spot !

big result for LFC that the Africa Cup of Nations has been moved from January/February to June/July for the first time...losing Salah, Mane, Keita for a month or so would have been tough

still only got around 75 points last season the same as the season before despite salah scoring a ridiculous number of goals which any player would do well to repeat

jumping up from 75 to 90 which is probably at the lower end of what's required is a huge ask. you have win a lot of the really tough games

Some points were sacrificed because of CL run. Some were lost due to sh1t GK's. Some because CM not good enough.

With top class replacements it's not difficult to envisage an improved performance and I see no reason why Salah's form would nosedive.

We all know only Kane can score goals when he hasn't touched the ball but I can't see significant improvements which would push Spurs on.......

never mentioned spurs but there is one rather significant factor. we'll be playing home games this season

a lot of overemphasis on liverpool beating city 3 times last season which really isn't that important if you want to win the league. you need to be almost perfect in the games against the non top 6 sides. can't be dropping silly points all over the place

Excuse my silly comment eariler, I think Liverpool will go very close.

a lot of overemphasis on liverpool beating city 3 times last season which really isn't that important if you want to win the league.


I don't think it's that at all, their squad is much better than last years, a full season of DVD, plus Keita + Fabinho etc, but they do need a keeper. They've bid 66M for Allison, so they've the money to get a top keeper even if they miss out on him.

I forgot Shaquiri!


They must have the most improved squad in the EPL so far.

Half their starting XI still knackered from international duty . Gotta catch up wiv 'em sooner or later ! COYI

Man U/Chelsea/Arsenal/City/Spurs guaranteed to win it!

Liverpool can’t cope with All 4 comps still.
Salah won’t be as good either!

just got one of the best keepers in the world.
Its all coming together.

Liverpool have the 2nd best chance of winning it IMO. What chance that really constitutes is another matter.

you can always tell when it's july

Jul 17, 2018 -- 3:17PM, mafeking wrote:

never mentioned spurs but there is one rather significant factor. we'll be playing home games this seasona lot of overemphasis on liverpool beating city 3 times last season which really isn't that important if you want to win the league. you need to be almost perfect in the games against the non top 6 sides. can't be dropping silly points all over the place

Liverpool beating City is worth emphasizing IMO. It is much easier to fix the problem of struggles against bottom half teams.

Theres some depth and quality in the 'pool squad now, I don't think its unrealistic to expect more points this season, especially if they get off to a good start.

No it isn't.

tobermory, you could counter that by saying they only actually won 2 out of 10 games against the top 6 in league and as for beating city 3 times key decisions went their way in both legs of the CL. certainly it didn't change the result at anfield but made a big difference away and understandably city heads went down when they equalised and the tie was dead

in their favour they did leave a few points out there by concentrating on the CL towards the end of the season but balancing that up is they only played 3 domestic cup ties so plenty of free dates at other times

We only took 3 points out of a possible 18 in our 6 matches against United, Spurs, & Chelsea last season. That needs to be improved upon if we're to make any sort of statement next season. That, along with a better start than we did last year.

got a olie

Having said that, I don't expect United to get any less points, Arsenal and Chelsea under new management could well improve significantly, and its only Spurs that look vulnerable. I thought City were excellent down the left last season and now they've added Mahrez I think we can expect more of the same. I do wonder whether Jesus and Sterling can fill the boots of Aguero as he may well be on the decline.

Same top six for me, a bit closer to City but not close enough. I'll "guess" City, United/Liverpool/Chelsea/Arsenal in a bunch behind with Spurs comfortably sixth.

Thats comfortably behind 5th and comfortably in front of seventh

spurs in being written off (yet again) shocker

No disrespect Mafeking, just my opinion or "guess" as I stated. Boring I know but respect everyone will have their own op.

dessie, of course you're entitled offer your opinion. i'm just tired off pundits in general lazily writing us off easily when it's pretty clear to see why we keep finishing high up the table. a top goalkeeper, top 3 central defensive pairing (alderweireld or not), one of the best playermakers in the league and the best goalscorer. it's very strong spine

And the best right back in the EPL

News just confirmed Alison deal has been completed.

Jul 17, 2018 -- 2:09PM, DirkDiggler wrote:

As Tottenham Hotspur march inevitably towards winning nothing again next season.

How many PL teams actually win trophies every season?  Two? Maybe three?  Not sure what you're trying to say here. When's the last time Liverpool won something of note (Coca Cola Cup not included).  I expect Spurs to finish ahead of the Pool yet again (as they have done for 8 of the last 9 seasons).

Not a chance in hell this year...Not imo anyway.

It's nonsensical to expect Tottenham to finish sixth - they've finished second once and third twice in the last three seasons, they have lost nobody important from the squad from that period, and for Spurs to finish sixth both Chelsea, who have a new manager who has won the square root of naff all in his entire life and are about to lose arguably their two most important players, and Arsenal to improve past them. Chelsea have seven points to find on Spurs from last season, and Arsenal have fourteen.

This is the hard reality of it. Of course it is entirely possible, indeed likely from the money they have spent and the very good players they have spent it on, that Liverpool will find the necessary improvement to make up the two points they were behind Spurs at close of play last season, but anyone expecting Spurs to decline enough, or the two teams named above to improve enough, for Spurs to finish sixth next season, needs their head examined.

spurs players be fecked after wc.

More nonsense. Well done.

so you think Kane looked fresh in the play off match?
you think hes looked great or worn out??
Deli is carrying a knock.
Lloris has been celebrating.
Spurs proved how good their players are by how many did so well in the WC.
But as with Manchester United their squad could be a bit jaded at first and that does
not set the season up well.

Please do some basic research before you parrot all the nonsense about bad starts, that's all. Spurs have started deplorably twice in the last three seasons, they finished third both times. The season they finished second, they had five players coming off the Iceland defeat, when they had played two games fewer than they will have played over this summer.

Bad starts can be overcome, as Spurs have proved twice recently. Last season they didn't win any of their first three home games - including games against Swansea and Burnley. They finished third.

Don't think be 6th by way,more likely third above Man u...
Trouble ahead there...

I do think tiredness could be a factor as we get into the second half of next season. Demands on players continue to grow with tours and the ever-quickening pace of the game.

We've got Salah and Mané due to return to training today which seems ridiculously quick and we've already played 3 pre-season friendlies.


The question then is the impact on teams. For us, we need cover for the front 3 now as they all work hard and played in the WC. Our midfield and defence should be well-stocked.

Looking at the others, you could say Utd may struggle if Lukaku and Pogba show some wear and tear. City have a big squad and can probably afford to nurse De Bruyne and Aguero where needed.

I do think the biggest question mark hangs over Spurs. As much as I rate Son, their attacking hopes hang on Alli, Eriksen and Kane. All have had little time off and both English lads looked jaded in the WC imo. Question for Pocch is how he rotates and replaces if they pick up pulls or their level drops.

jed how did they overcome these bad starts?
did they win the league?

You are assuming PorP that Spurs will sell none of the three you mention, and buy nobody in those positions either.

You are obviously forgetting Lucas Moura, who will see a whole lot more of the pitch than he did last season. You forget Lamela will be much stronger than last season after missing a year of football.

We have been written off for the last three seasons, purely and simply because people do not realise how strong our squad is. Just by way of an example, when we smashed you 4-1 at Wembley, the game was run by Harry Winks. He played about ninety minutes of football after Christmas, and will be back in August.

you were written off with good reasoning and it proved correct, you never challenged for the title.

Winks is brilliant but will he need time after injury to return to his best?

Nobody challenged for the title last season CM, City won it by nineteen points.

How many PL teams actually win trophies every season?  Two? Maybe three?  Not sure what you're trying to say here. When's the last time Liverpool won something of note (Coca Cola Cup not included).  I expect Spurs to finish ahead of the Pool yet again (as they have done for 8 of the last 9 seasons). Grin


When's the last time Liverpool won something of note? Istanbul ring a bell?


Not sure what I'm trying to say?


It's not that difficult, Spurs just don't win things very often, one trophy in 27 years. In that time, Liverpool have won - League Cup x 3, FA Cup x 3, UEFA x 2 and the Champions League. I won't bother listing what the other 'big clubs' have won over that time-frame.

So although you are right, there's not many pots to win per season, Spurs HUGELY under-perform for a club of their size. They've lost 7 FA Cup semi finals in a row as i'm sure you'll know.

jed, I'm assuming nothing and writing no-one off. I'm merely saying I think tiredness will be more of an issue later this season than most other years.

We have to keep our front three fresh and you need to do the same. It's that tricky balance of getting players good enough to replace without a huge drop in quality and yet are happy to play second fiddle often.

To be fair Lamela could be a good option and will get a lot of time if he stays fit. Interested to see if Moura become important as he's been a bit disappointing to me.

Still think Spurs will finish top 3 though.

They've lost 7 FA Cup semi finals in a row as i'm sure you'll know.


My apologies, it's 8 in a row.

What does that mean - 'for a club of their size?'

Spurs had been paying the price for bad decisions made in the late 1980s until a few seasons ago, it is even arguable that they are paying it still.

When the Sky money came into the game, Spurs had fallen from a position where it could be used to cement their place in the top reaches of the League. Instead under Sugar and post-Scholar, it was used to prop up an enterprise which had only recently escaped the clutches of the liquidator. Spurs were very close to failing, very close.

All i've said is I think Liverpool are worthy 2nd favs by the way. That's it. Does anybody look like turning Citeh over?

No.

What does that mean - 'for a club of their size?'

Spurs had been paying the price for bad decisions made in the late 1980s until a few seasons ago, it is even arguable that they are paying it still.

When the Sky money came into the game, Spurs had fallen from a position where it could be used to cement their place in the top reaches of the League. Instead under Sugar and post-Scholar, it was used to prop up an enterprise which had only recently escaped the clutches of the liquidator. Spurs were very close to failing, very close.



What do you think it means?


Aren't Spurs a big enough club to have won more than one trophy in 27 years and not to have lost 8 FA Cup semi's in a row? Come on man.


Late 80s?  that was 30 years ago!


If you think Spurs aren't really a 'big club' then fair enough I suppose. To me the fact they've reached 8 semi's recently tells me they are big enough to challenge for trophies, they just can't get it done.

I don't even have time for the argument about what constitutes a big club. I have merely tried to provide you with an explanation of why Spurs have won very little, and looked like winning very little, in all that time.

And I am of course aware that the late 80s was thirty years ago.

Well, they either are one or they aren't. As a Spurs fan i'd have thought you would have believed Spurs were a big club. The explanation as to why Spurs won very little is that they can get close but they can't get over the line.

I thought Spurs last season were very impressive, especially when you consider that every every game was an "away" fixture and Wembley wasn't exactly their favourite pitch to play on in the the past..new stadium ( 1st home game is Liverpool I believe) , so expect even better than last season.

What was noticeable about Liverpool last season was the teams performance when salah wasn't on the pitch, they were average and on a few occasions threw away games when leading. My worry for Liverpool is Klopp, as likeable as he is, he doesn't cope with pressure most notable last year's cal final and the away semi in Rome.

Can't really have tiredness as an excuse, the wc players coming back will be given a few weeks rest whilst the other players will be flying long haul for meaningless tournaments to boost clubs image and make money.

1/ man city
2/ Tottenham
3/ man Utd
4/ Liverpool

Arsenal still have too much to prove though they should improve now that winger has gone and Chelsea will struggle, whilst the rumour of abrohamovic trying to sell the club carries on.

spurs have come a hell of long way from the mess of the sugar years when bad decisions made then just when the CL was becoming open to all comers left us light years off the pace. under levy's shrewd running of the club we've come from probably outside the top 50 clubs in europe to inside the top 10 now. a phenomenal effort having spent massively less on transfers and wages compared to our main competitors. still incredibly difficult when at least 5 of those top 10 clubs are in the premiership

it's nonsense to judge spurs now on what might have happened 15 or 20 years ago. on and off the field the club is massively superior to the shambles that existed then

the domestic cups are absolute mickey mouse for any serious club these days. the league and CL are where it's all about and spur have been MASSIVELY punching above their weight in recent seasons. 3 top 3 finishes in a row is a miracle really on the resources available

i add in victor waynama as another player who was hardly ever properly fit last season who could be like another new player for spurs

the domestic cups are absolute mickey mouse for any serious club these days.


So Spurs were fielding severely weakened teams in those 8 semi finals then?

Maf,nothing like lifting the cup at Wembley,and thankfully its still a hope for many clubs,not just the elite,i have a lot more respect for supporters outside the top half a dozen sides.

Jul 20, 2018 -- 10:26AM, DirkDiggler wrote:

How many PL teams actually win trophies every season?  Two? Maybe three?  Not sure what you're trying to say here. When's the last time Liverpool won something of note (Coca Cola Cup not included).  I expect Spurs to finish ahead of the Pool yet again (as they have done for 8 of the last 9 seasons). GrinWhen's the last time Liverpool won something of note?  Istanbul ring a bell?Not sure what I'm trying to say?It's not that difficult, Spurs just don't win things very often, one trophy in 27 years. In that time, Liverpool have won - League Cup x 3, FA Cup x 3, UEFA x 2 and the Champions League. I won't bother listing what the other 'big clubs' have won over that time-frame.So although you are right, there's not many pots to win per season, Spurs HUGELY under-perform for a club of their size. They've lost 7 FA Cup semi finals in a row as i'm sure you'll know.

13 years ago is not "recently".

a certain massively hyped up manager has lost virtually every cup final he's ever contested and those definitely weren't in the dim and distant past

5.6 for Liverpool to win the title is ridiculously short.  A lay rather than a back in my opinion.   And I'm slightly concerned that Salah will prove to be a one season wonder. I don't think we'll be seeing the same heroics from his this season.

did think the same about salah but when you look at his career he has only had one poor season,so although be staggered if its as good as last season still expect him to perform to a very high standard

I tend to go the other way with Salah - it's unlikely he will get the same numbers he got last season perhaps, but he must surely improve as a player for his first season in the Premier League?

I think on the maths alone it's hard to justify backing a team at 9/2 to make up 25 points on the Champions, but Keita and Alysson are massive signings imo, particularly the keeper given what they have had before and even though I wouldn't be a backer I wouldn't entirely rule it out.

First XI look good on paper but very little depth in squad . Should still finish in the top 6 so nowt for the scousers to worry about .

Reason I have Spurs in 6th is a combination of factors; although I actually think they have the 3rd best starting 11 behind City & Liverpool.

New ground will help away teams initially and a lot of pressure on the home side to perform, smallish squad and tired legs post world cup, slight apathy as the players realistically know they're not going to win the league or CL. Arsenal and Chelsea have no CL and the former have massively improved their squad and have a new, fresh direction. spurs squad isn't big enough on quality. An injury to either Kane/Eriksson or Loris will hugely affect them more than key players of other clubs due to suitable lack of replacements.

Liverpool's price is an absolute joke now.

It depends CCM. If we don't sign Fekir then I agree. If we do then I think it's very fair. We aren't likely to however....

spurs will be solid again and will go close fpr 2nd with Liverpool in my view , Think city will be too strong and win it again with utd , arsenal and chelsea all pitching in for4, 5 and 6 placea, with utd 4th

should be a fascinating season

We started last season 12/1 charwell.

We've essentially lost Coutinho, Can and Oxlade Chamberlain from that team and gained Keita, Fabinho and Shaqiri. Its definitely an upgrade, and Keita will be one of the stars of the season for me, but is it enough of an upgrade for us be just about a third of the price?

Not to my eyes, especially considering how far we finished behind City.

The keeper looks a huge upgrade obviously, but still think we are too short.

I know we've got VVD for the whole season oo which is another plus, but City havent exactly stood still!

You also signed van D*** halfway through the season. May not be much in it with regard to the midfielders but GK and CB a HUGE upgrade.

I think we're too short but we did get to the CL final and beat City several times.

Still though, since then we've made a big change. Weak links last summer were identified as the keeper, centre backs and left back. We've got three new players in who are (and hopefully will be) a match for anyone else in the top 4. Lovren is the one constant though his game has improved since VVD arrived. Similarly, our hopes rested on Mané kicking on and hoping the new signing would settle in after being bombed out at Chelsea so quickly. Little did we know that our attack would be transformed.

We only finished 6 points behind second despite having a terrible start and focussing on the cup at the end so I can see why we're in that position in the betting but there shouldn't be that much of a gap between us, Utd and Spurs.

Spurs in a match bet against us must be a cracking price.

CCM you kinda answered your own question re price.

Nobody knew Salah would be as accomplished as he was, VVD hadn't signed, we had tweeedle dum and tweedle de alternating between the sticks.........

We got to a CL Final and have now upgraded the team. Keita, Allisson and Fabinho and a full season with VVD and our team looks to have that spine we lacked last season.

PP; odd argument - you big us up and then say Spurs are a cracking matchbet . No way Spurs finish above us this season IMHO.

It's hard to look past City tbh. The gap was huge last season, Liverpool are the only ones who have really made strides to catch the gap, but it's a huge gap to close. You can talk about Liverpool's success on the pitch vs City alone, but that doesn't actually win the title.

I expect City to get at least 90 points, can I see anyone else getting more than that, not really.

I certainly hope Liverpool win something this season.

It's simply not fair that they have just one trophy to show for 12 years of hard graft, with a series of great managers and a number of legends playing for them over that period.

With such knowledgeable fans, one of the best managers in the world in charge, and the financial backing of America's most forward looking Sports Investment Group they must at least to be up to winning the League Cup or something equivalent.

Good luck for the season guys.

Well Taffy, at least we have had lots of great football and big cup finals to enjoy and a future to enjoy.

I feel sorry for you blues who align themselves with the Mancs and Madrid to try and and in some way actually be relevant because you hate us. Oh, did you enjoy the spread you laid on for the mancs; their YSB banner hung in the pub as you held hands and got giddy together about how much you hate the RS.......?!!

Al the time enjoying watching your lot play tin pot footy in a ramshackle shed and spunking away money you don't even have on absolute crap and paying the merry go round managers off at every turn! Every season you are going to dethrone us apparently

such knowledgeable fans ........... ?

I would love to know on what information this statement is based

His feeble attempt at humor.....left his brains under the seat in the Brick alehouse.

Cheers miss W.

Much appreciated.

And can I say congrats for finishing in the top two in the Blackburn-Everton Cup. Looking forward to the DVD.

Chargrill

Was anything I said untrue?


BTW you muppets, I support Macclesfield Town now we're back on the path to the Premier League.

Not so sure about man city.  The ageing lion(aguero) is more prone to injuries, less consistent, etc and I'm not sure Jesus has the mental cajonas to adequately replace him esp. after his shocker in the  WC.  Imo their AMs will have to score an awful lot of goals to make up the slack.

Was mahrez the best use of their resources esp. with Foden coming thru? I would have thought they were better served getting a CF/goalscorer we shall see.

Pencil Aguero in for another 20 goals in the league (which will be his 5th consecutive)..more of a certainty than the sun rising tomorrow

I love themover always lurking nearby ready to step in to defend the honour of his team. respect to the man

Although Foden plays wide-right for England City use him more as an orthodox number 10. He is more of a Silva/De Bruyne type player than Mahrez. Hopefully one day he'll be as good as Silva and De Bruyne

charwell]. • July 27, 2018 12:53 PM BST


PP wrote:

. • July 27, 2018 12:53 PM BST


PP; odd argument - you big us up and then say Spurs are a cracking matchbet. No way Spurs finish above us this season IMHO.[/quote]

Pool fans have been saying this exact same thing for the last nine years and they've only been correct ONCE.   Even last season with Spurs playing 38 games away from home Pool couldn't manage to finish ahead of them. I don't see that changing this season. Typical Liverpool fans getting carried away. Will they ever learn.

Jul 27, 2018 -- 12:53PM, charwell. wrote:

CCM you kinda answered your own question re price.Nobody knew Salah would be as accomplished as he was, VVD hadn't signed, we had tweeedle dum and tweedle de alternating between the sticks.........We got to a CL Final and have now upgraded the team. Keita, Allisson and Fabinho and a full season with VVD and our team looks to have that spine we lacked last season.PP; odd argument - you big us up and then say Spurs are a cracking matchbet . No way Spurs finish above us this season IMHO.

Pool fans have been saying this exact same thing for the last nine years and they've only been correct ONCE.   Even last season with Spurs playing 38 games away from home Pool couldn't manage to finish ahead of them. I don't see that changing this season. Typical Liverpool fans getting carried away. Will they ever learn.

From Everton to Macclesfield Taffy. What a glory hunter you are!

Sofaking; bring that line up at the end of this season because IMHO we will finish comfortably ahead of you. Never said this in previous seasons.

Ok,  we'll see.  Liverpool fans are always ridiculously delusional at the beginning of each season.  Then it usually all goes pear-shaped. I'm not expecting anything different this season despite the massive spending spree.

The only thing that’s delusional is fans of other clubs constantly saying Liverpool fans are delusional.

probably fair comment that. more likely ex players who dominate the media agenda and hacks who will big up liverpool to ridiculous levels rather than their more sensible and realistic fans

Do you know the only ship NOT to dock in Liverpool..? THE PREMIERSHIP

Not to push this to the margins, but are there any ex-players going OTT and saying we're gonna win the league?


I'd imagine there might be one or two (Aldo anyone?) but most reports I've seen say we've done good business, are in a position to have a real crack at it but not much more than that.


I could understand the idea that we'll definitely finish above Spurs or Utd delusional as we often haven't and shouldn't assume it'll happen even if we're improving and appear to have strengthened again but we're still more in hope than expectation of winning the league.

i certainly expect when the bbc get all their pundits to list their top 4 hardly anyone will have liverpool out of the top 2. very few people are prepared to go against the general view

for a start mourinho's latest negative whingeing means united are seen to be in crisis and spurs haven't signed anyone and most of their best players will only report back 5 days before the season

See though, this is the thing.


People talk about delusion. But when they have to stop and think it regresses from fans expecting to win the lot, to pundits thinking we're going to win the lot to "I expect pundits will say you'll do fairly well".


The whole Liverpool fans are deluded line is, well, deluded.

And, to be fair, Liverpool just got to the CL final, have the POTY and probably the outstanding attacker in the league, have addressed problem positions such as CB, LB and now GK. Every bookie in the world have them as second favourites.


Not sure why a pundit putting us to finish in the top two is any sign of delusion rather than simply surveying the possibilities and reckoning they've more of a chance than some others.

Chelsea could easily bounce back.. if they keep hazard, and the players like the new manager.. no champs lge either ... hopefully 3or4 are involved till the end

Think Chelsea could struggle personally. Wonder if all's not well then Hazard might have another throw the towel in season. Courtois clearly wants to go to Madrid and only question is if Madrid pay a fee now or get him for nothing next year.

I reckon they're the weakest of the Top 6 currently. Think Arsenal could be the surprise jumpers and seem to have a decent spine. Chelsea could take their place as the ones looking over their shoulder at some upstart leapfrogging them.

PoP, you're a shade of odds against for a top 2 finish and even that's gotta be too short yet i reckon 90% of pundits will have you top 2

leaving aside the hazard and courtois will either go or their heart won't be in it if forced to stay can't have chelsea at all. being in the europa league is massive disadvantage. go back over the last 10 years. hardly anyone has played in the europa league and finished top 4. the extra games, longer away trips and the constant thurs/sun turnaround is incredibly difficult to overcome

I  had predicted a slow start to season which was wide of the marl last sunday.
but I can see a coyple of slip ups this month so sticking with a slow start then charge to title.

100/30 on here already

2 horse rave according to the bookies