Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has stopped well short of making too drastic a promise, but following last seasons heart-break as the Reds finished runners-up to eventual champions Manchester City, the Northern Irishman has said that his side will claim the top spot soon enough.
“If it doesn’t happen this year, then it will happen soon,” he told the press ahead of the Merseysider’s season opener against Southampton next weekend. “There is no depression here, there hasn’t been a hangover. I wasn’t lying on a sun lounger on a beach over the summer crying and fretting over the fact that we lost the league. There is only an excitement and a belief inside the club that we can challenge again for the title this time.”
The 41-year old, who signed a new contract with the Anfield outfit after guiding the club back to the Champions League for the first time since 2009, has brought in seven players this summer as he looks to rebuild the team following the departure of star striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona last month. Although he’s yet to bring in a player that can fill the Uruguayan’s substantial boots, the Reds continue to be linked with some of the best talent in Europe — something that will only buoy his early season bullishness.
“We proved last season that we can handle the pressure of a title run-in. I know people will point to the Chelsea and Crystal Palace games, but they should look, instead, at our last 14 games” he continued. Twelve wins, one draw, one defeat. That kind of form usually wins you the title. So, I know we can cope with the pressure. What we didn’t get was that wee bit of luck you need along the way.”
What’s even better than luck is a deep squad packed with talent and Rodgers looks to be addressing that particular weakness with great haste. Now, all we need is a top striker and maybe — just maybe — we can forget all this talk about luck.
