They will remain a competitive side and I don't want bias to cloud my judgement and assessment of them, but if they sustain a title challenge until the last game of the season I would be very surprised.
Good post
@Eriksen, you've gone into detail and outlined why they will do well which is fair enough, as a lot of United fans - myself included - haven't. I agree about your point of them as a team. They may have had an outstanding individual who was their clear star performer, but they were a superb attacking unit and Suarez was allowed to excel even further with Rodgers building the team around pace, energy and youthful exuberance. That won't deter next season as the manager will retain that and they still have the personnel to replicate that.
I just don't believe they will compensate for the loss of Suarez, as losing a player of his calibre or Bale's calibre cannot be directly replaced by a number of squad players like Spurs and Liverpool both did, whether they play as a cohesive unit or not. I expect Liverpool to almost replicate the same high-scoring football last season and other players like Sturridge and Sterling to come to the fore even more, but that loss of star quality will still show in certain matches that they would win with Suarez's presence, whether he's scoring, assisting or creating space for others.
Many people have criticised their squad depth last season and it wasn't a necessity without so many games and fortunately they have remedied that this season, so they should be able to cope on all fronts. However, they enjoyed having continuity and freshness in the first team last season and only have to juggle a small, core squad and now and then make a few tweaks in personnel from game to game. I don't think it should be underestimated how vital that was for their cohesion and unity and with Champions League football I expect that to be hindered considerably next season.
Their manager is so decisive. Last season was no fluke, but they had many positives in their favour and it will be testament to Rodgers managerial ability if he is able to replicate that once more while competing on four fronts. I think the competition will improve immeasurably - namely Arsenal and Chelsea - while City still have the best squad and United should have a bit of a resurgence under van Gaal. I can see them becoming embroiled in a top four battle with United and perhaps Spurs at this moment in time.
Thank you, its pretty much expected United fans would do that. On Spurs boards you see plenty of our fans every season saying 'Arsenal will fail' without ever providing substance to these claims. I wouldn't say its quite the same but its the same sort of situation in which rivals fans are influenced heavily by the euphoria of a new season and are bold because they haven't seen the teams play. Obviously United fans have reason to be bold as well and believe they will put Liverpool 'back in their place' next year; due to the arrival of a genuine world-class manager and some signings that have plugged gaps.
Compensating for the loss of Suarez is always going to be a challenge. He is arguably the 3rd best player in the world. For me it's Robben but that's beside the point, for many he is only behind the big two. His record last season was staggering. They will suffer without him certainly but as I said, I don't see it as the same situation as we had with Bale, we were laughably reliant on him. See winner vs. West Ham as one example in which he just pulled something out of absolutely nowhere. He did it all season, a screamer when we had barely threatened all match. Whereas Suarez benefited from all round good attacking play and added that star touch, Bale was everything we did. Even on the last day of the season he won us the game with yet another absolute peach against Sunderland. I think some people actually underestimate Bale's season, whilst he wasn't even top scorer - almost none of his chances were sitters, most of which he fashioned himself. It was quite extraordinary. We were truly FC Bale.
Certainly I agree that they will miss his genius that wins games. This will also be balanced out to an extent by strengthening other areas of the team that cost them goals last year. Whereas last season they may have relied on a Suarez hattrick, now they might control the midfield better or not have Toure making a costly error. The fullbacks are key as well; Cissokho offered absolutely zilch going forward for Liverpool last season, if they acquire a left-back with attacking merit that could add a significant amount of goals it'd be crucial for them. It all rests on how they spend their money and how much they spend. People say we wasted the Bale money and this is somewhat true, but also people have to understand we signed all our players from abroad and we signed a lot of players who were instantly required to be stars and replace last years best player. I don't see Liverpool doing this - they already have an effective core of players, they are just adding to that core, not trying to construct a new one football manager style in one whirlwind season. Players they sign will compliment and provide backup for the likes of Sturridge, Coutinho, Sterling etc. Maybe they'll make a marquee signing or two but I highly doubt Rodgers will do what AVB did and try to build a whole new team, with no system in mind other than 'He's young and promising. Let's get him!'. It honestly reminds me of a FIFA career mode, it was as if Levy was spending his time looking up on the internet 'highest FIFA 14 potential players' and then signed them.
This is where a good manager is crucial and I believe Liverpool have that in Rodgers. I think he has the ability to compete on two fronts and juggle the squad well. Obviously this remains to be seen and there is always the possibility that it will weaken them, but I can't see it having a major effect. We did suffer from being in the CL the year we reached the quarters if I remember right, so it is a factor. It also depends on how far they go, if they are knocked out in the groups for example it won't even matter much, other than the negative effect it could have on the morale of the players.
Yeah, I've been very impressed with Rodgers and next season will be his biggest test yet. Liverpool were linked to AVB I believe but eventually ended up with Rodgers and I bet they are delighted with that. If he does replicate (or even improve on?) last seasons form then he'll have to be up there with one of the most exciting upcoming managers in the world, if he isn't already. The competition is undoubtedly getting stronger, Arsenal's acquisition of Sanchez for me is extremely dangerous as he is exactly the kind of player they need, the kind of player Ozil will thrive off of providing for. Chelsea are looking very strong indeed, in fact next season is going to be a very exciting one for the Premier League, pretty much every side is strengthening, could be an interesting year in Europe for our sides.
Being in a top four battle is certainly a possibility - and if they were to finish 4th it would be far from a failure. I personally think they'll challenge, I really do like the squad Rodgers has built. It has such variation within the attacking players right now and great flair about it with some lethal pace too. Whilst the likes of City/Chelsea have the better squad, I think this Liverpool side is a better 'team' and more balanced. If they were to acquire a few top players in notably weak positions they really would be a fearsome outfit.
You mention the possibility of them fighting with us for top four. For me, we won't challenge next season. We'll improve measurably in our play and players like Lamela and Paulinho will improve I feel, but our squad just isn't quite there yet compared to the current top four. Obviously I'll still remain optimistic but I can't see us really fighting for those spots, unless we sign at least one more centre back and a top left-winger and striker at least. Thus far we've had a quiet window.
