Let’s prove them wrong again!

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By @CarlusBuchanan

After what was a crazy season in 2013/14, we arrive at the door of the 2014/15 season with a team that appears to have clear direction, vision and identity; on top of that we are back in the Champions League.

At the start of last season I made what everyone told me was a ridiculous bet for Liverpool to win the league. Did I think it was going to happen? I would be lying if I said yes, but I certainly didn’t think it was impossible as everyone made it seem. We took great advantage of no European football which allowed us to concentrate on the league. We finished the season with the top 2 goalscorers and second place,We came so close.

Fast forward past a summer which included an entertaining World Cup and Liverpool losing Luis Suarez; what does the future hold for us? Well for starters we have the 2nd top scorer from last season in Daniel Sturridge, we have the most exciting teenager in Raheem Sterling and we have a through ball specialist in Philippe Coutinho who is fresh from a summer break of no football for Brazil. Sturridge now has the opportunity he has waited so many years for… to be the main man. Raheem Sterling is still only 19 and is a boy beyond his years. There is no direct replacement for Luis Suarez in existence however there is a system in place for the current crop to flourish.

We have added depth to what was a very thin squad which should allow us to cope with the demands of the new season. I am most excited to see Emre Can who will add power, pace and can go forward; Adam Lallana who has excellent awareness and movement and Lazar Markovic who is lightning quick and looks like a fantastic prospect. I genuinely believe we are a stronger force this year. We have a young team which for the recent friendly against Borussia Dortmund had an average age just shy of 25 years and are the likely starters for the curtain raiser against Southampton.

So what are my expectations for this year? Well we have taken big strides but there is still some way to go. This year we will have some of the best 1v1 players in the league so I expect clubs will continue to fall apart at Anfield, defenders will still get caught square and the goals will be flying in.  We have players that are technically strong, have the capacity to learn, have the personality and character to perform at the highest level and are motivated. Brendan Rodgers said it is important that us fans keep perspective; we are still ahead of schedule as a club. That will not stop me dreaming. My only expectation is more excitement.

With bookies giving me odds of 11/1 for the league it would be silly to not place a cheeky bet. Once again there is no pressure to win the league but surely this year we can bring it! I see a few nervous fans because other clubs have strengthened well, but it looks to me like it’s all under control. The start of the new season should be the grown mans Christmas!

Why so serious!