As the new Premier League season draws closer, only one question is on the tip of the tongues of the Liverpool faithful. Can they challenge for the title? Or are they simply to contend with a plucky top four run?
Certainly while under the leadership of manager Jurgen Klopp, dreams could become reality. After his predecessor Brendan Rodgers was dismissed for a poor start to the season, Klopp was able to turn the fortunes of a Liverpool side who were deemed by many to be inadequate to compete.
He managed this by taking Liverpool to no less than two cup finals, in the Europa League and League Cup respectively. And whilst they just fell short at the final hurdle on both occasions, there can be no doubts that Klopp achieved a lot and turned the season around big time.
And Klopp with the backing of his team, certainly seem to be signalling his attempt at pushing for the title this season, having already secured their first big money signing in former Southampton wide man Sadio Mane. In a deal expected to be in excess of £30 million.
And it looks like they aren’t ready to stop there, having also secured the highly rated goalkeeper Loris Karius from Mainz. They are also linked with big money moves for Julian Draxler, and Klopp’s former man at Dortmund, Mario Gotze. Whilst Gotze has claimed he wants to fight for his place at Bayern Munich, it certainly is possible he could be tempted back to his former boss, who holds him in the highest regards.
All the ingredients are there for Liverpool to really challenge Leicester for their crown, and under Klopp, especially with the right signings. Then maybe it is possible we could see the Liverpool side of 2013/14, who came so close to winning the league. Because it is certainly debatable that ever since Luis Suarez left for Barcelona, that they have failed to regain that swagger and awe-inspiring decisiveness which left opponents in fear.
But now Klopp is ready to take charge of his first season, then maybe it is their time.