Pre-2008/8009 Season

It's the time of the year when I am starting to feel impatient again. 16th Aug can't come any faster. Thanks to Euro 2008, at least I was not starved of football action for a prolonged period of time. 3 months of no football is totally unacceptable.

Before the season kicksoff in 2 weeks time, Liverpool made various acqusitions that will certainly fill me with hope once again....(since when have I not felt hopeful at the beginning of each seson?). Will this finally be THE season we have all been waiting for...after 19 long painful years?

I must say the aquisition of Robbie Keane from Spurs thrilled me. It's always been a joy to see a true Liverpool fan play for the club. What a dream! Robbie's committment and desire to excel cannot be questioned. He is a proven EPL player, settled and, at 28, will prove to be an important signing. A year ago, we signed a Ferando Torres for a club transfer record fee. This year, we signed Robbie for 20.3mil pounds. Both players surpassed the 20-goal mark last season, with Torres setting a new goal record in a debut season by a new foreign player in the league. Robbie started the game against Rangers last Saturday. It was the first time he partnered Torres. There were glimpses of brillance and good movement between the both of them. With Gerard, Babel, Benayoun and Kyut, we have 6 players with an attacking mentality and superior game intelligence. That can be a significant difference from last season. It will be Babel's 2nd season and should he step up one level, we have in our hands another potent player. Benayoun looks extremely lively on Saturday. Kyut seemed re-charged. Gerard will need to step up a few notches and we will have one of the most potent front lines and midfield in the league. Move aside Mr Scolari and Sir Fergie! It's the Red Army marching in.....

With the purchase of italian Andrea Dossena from Udinese and a free transfer of swiss defender Philipp Degen from Basel, our back line will be boosted tremendously. These are 2 players that have a good attacking mentality. Their overlapping runs down the flanks will provide a more offensive look to the team. I must admit I have been impressed by Dossena's performance last Saturday. It was a good thing Riise was off-loaded to Roma in the summer. I was so happy I had to celebrate his departure.

Another young striker in 19 year old french David Ngog signed from Paris-Saint Germain, will provide the attacking backup for Torres and Robbie. This boy is one of the brightest young talents in french football. His first goal for the club against Rangers last Saturday was full of quality. He looks big and strong, the kind of player to survive in the EPL. I am sure he can only improve at an accelerated pace understudying Torres and Robbie. With Gareth Barry's deal back on the table with Aston Villa, we are looking at one more quality buy in the middle of the park. Barry's signing will prove to be useful. He has a tremendous partnership with Gerard. Both of them started playing together since the U-21 days and were together when they both made their International debut into Kevin Keagan's England team for Euro 2000. They will play well together as they have been good mates with each other for more than 10 years now. There is a great understanding between them.

The possible arrival of Barry will probably signal the departure of one more player. Alonso's move to Juventus was halted at the eleventh-hour. I am sure Alonso will either be benched or sold soon to make way for Barry should Villa agree to the offer price. The departure of Crouch saddened me though. I have always liked that fella. He has great qualities and a good attitude. Unfortunately, the lure of first team football was simply too much to resist and he had to go. We wish him well and hopefully he doesn't score against us at all in the coming seasons.

Overall. the shape of the team is looking good. We will have to live without Mascherano, Lucas and Babel for the start of the season due to their participation in the Olympic U-23 competition.
I am sure we will be more than prepared to cope without them. The quality of the passing during last Saturday's game was a sign that pre-season preparations are progressing right on track. The team looked really good pouring forward.

I have confidence that we will bring back at least one cup in the new season. Hopefully it's the one we have been waiting for.............after 19 long and painful years.

Come on you Reds....

Liverpool is my religion,
Torres my God.
You'll Never Walk Alone is my hymn,
and Anfield my place of worship.