Who do you think will challenge for the title next year, presumably against us, City and probably Arsenal. Liverpool had a cracking season this year thanks to their strike force (self dubbed "SAS") and managed to take City all the way to the last day of the season. Their defence needs a lot of work and you can expect City, Chelsea, Arsenal, United and maybe Spurs to strenghten. Last time they finished runners up they went in to the next season and came 7th? Will there be a repeat or will BR keep them up in the top 4 next season? Manchester United in contrast had a shockingly bad season compared to their usual standards. The appointment of David Moyes as SAF's replacement, in hindsight, was a poor choice and their squad needs some serious reconstruction especially in midfield and defence, where most of their long time veterans are vacating the club through retirement or contract release. I dont think many people expected them to finish as low as 7th. Van Gaal is rumoured to be the incoming manager, a man with more experience than Moyes, who will undoubtedly get a large transfer kitty to play with. So my answer is, which of these teams, if any, will challenge for the top 4 or a CL place next year. Answers on a postcard please (or in a reply to this thread )
United will be up there again. Good manager, no CL football, top strikers. That seemed to help Liverpool!
United have pedigree whereas Liverpool have had one good year out of 23. My moneys is on them especially as they will only be playing one game a week once the European games start.
We didn't have CL football last year, same manager, same strikers finished 7th - so your argument doesn't stack up. I don't think utd will challenge for a couple of seasons, Arsenal will be Arsenal, city will be city. There isn't really a Liverpool will be Liverpool argument because since we last finished 2nd we've gone down, up, down, up, up.
But United have pedigree, and they DID play CL football, unlike you when you came seventh - so your argument does not stack up
Does one bad season in 23 mean you lose pedigree. Or equally one OK, trophyless season in 25, give you pedigree?
Drogs point as I saw it was us not having CL football this year [manager, strikers yada yada] was the reason we challenged this year, so next year utd with no CL football should offer a greater challenge. My counter to that was, no CL football [manager, strikers ...] doesn't guarantee a greater challenge for the league.
One trophyless season in 25 sounds like a team with pedigree to me Read back on your other comment btw as you made my argument for me
I agree. There's no way of knowing since we have an inexperienced manager and young, mostly inexperienced squad. The number of games will take it's toll on the players but we will strengthen in the summer so should cope better than rivals are expecting or hoping .... but from a Liverpool fan's perspective, just looking forward to the great European nights again and mixing it with the best.
My outlook this season has always been in favour of Liverpool getting back into the CL. It will be really exciting for you lot and everyone else watching. Just didn't want you lot winning the League that's all
Moanu getting better is possible, however you finishing top 4 is highly improbable. Lucky if you get Europa.
Too much guess work to know what might happen next year. Man Utd especially will have a lot of new players, and a new manager, so would expect a season at least to find their way back. Chelsea also have some deep seated problems to deal with i.e., can't beat lower teams, lack of strikers, lack of midfield direction, at least 2 new members of the back 4 to ease in rotationally, another change of style, according to Jose, we only played defensive due to personnel. So we have some work to do. Liverpool need to strengthen their backbone, Gerard is like JT and Frank, not around for ever and needs replacing, but they have less to do than us I think. City are stable and settled so have to be favourites. Arsenal?? Who knows, they seem to always be just a couple of players from success, but never get either. Spurs have become the new Chelsea, with Managers coming and going faster than last weeks pay.
Pick arsenal to drop from the top 4 at your own peril! People have been doing it for years, but it's not going to happen!
Me personally, I had a bet with my boss ( a Liverpool fan ) that I would chop off my left testicle if Liverpool got into the CL! Luckily he hasnt held me to it I just didnt see it because I assumed us and City would be in the top 4 and 2 of either Man Utd, Arsenal or Spurs to fill the other places. I wasnt to know United and Spurs would fail epicly, and Liverpool's strikers would click quite as well as they have.
That's the point and TBH makes it exciting, nobody knows now, Spurs have popped up one year when not expected, us this year... I'd say Chelsea and City guaranteed to be in the mix like last year but pressure on you lot or Mourinho at least as you can't have another third, be it us or someone else in your way....
