As well as the consistent fitness of Torres and Gerrard, i think the key to this coming season for us, is belief and mentality. Both from players and fans.
Apart from the obvious financial rewards and glory, winning the title brings another crucial reward and that is the 'been there, done it' mindset, which enables players and teams to keep their heads, keep their faith and get the job done, even in moments of adversity. Manchester United and Chelsea, both players and fans, have got this. They've got the added confidence that comes from having won league titles and this enables them to always keep the faith, faith in their own ability, to claw out wins when they look unlikely.
We dont have any recent league title wins to draw this confidence from, but both fans and players need to remember, throughout next season, that we are Liverpool FC. Not some two-bit also-ran of a club, we're one of the biggest names on the planet and we've earnt that status.
This month, as various pundits and commentators alike have shown in their predictions, we've also earnt the right to go into the season not just hoping, but believing and expecting success.
The final third of last season has caught people's eye in a big way and has turned heads to an extent whereby pundits who would've previously laughed off the notion of a Liverpool title win, are now not only touting us as contenders, but in many cases, the team who they EXPECT to win the league.
These predictions arent just made randomly, and a lot of highly respected people put their reputations on the line in making them, so for us to feature so favourably - well, it has to mean something. And i think we need to realise this and have faith ourselves.
Players need to go into games thinking 'We will win this, because we are Liverpool'. We need to go into games against lesser sides, not wondering if or how we'll break them down - but thinking about how many we're going to put past them. Our mentality needs to be assertive and we must be aware of our strengths. Never mind negating or worrying about the opposition - just play our game and KNOW that we'll win - because we are simply that good.
It's important off the field too. Fans need to have faith too. We need to remember the 4-1 win at Old Trafford. The 4-0 hammering of Real Madrid. The historic slicing open of Chelsea's home record. The never-say-die attitude which saw us battering the door down til the very end, and taking three last second points at Manchester City, Pompey and Fulham (to name just 3). And the plethora of goals we rifled home in the last 10 games or so.
So when we're still drawing 0-0 in the second half of games, we'll remember the above and keep believing, keep singing and keep dragging our boys to victory. The bond between players and fans was almost tangible at those away games last season. Each and every time that magical last minute winner went in, Nando (at Pompey), Dirk (at City) and Yossi (at Fulham) made a beeline for the fans. Distance obstructed Yossi's path, but the intent was there.
I know full well that the first time we enter the 75th minute and it's still 0-0 at Anfield, there'll be frustration and dropping heads in the crowd. But for the majority, i sincerely hope the memories of last season's resiliance sticks in the mind and prompts us to keep the faith.
If we play with that faith and belief next season, aided by a bit of luck with fitness, we'll win the title. The only thing that can stop us is ourselves.
But as long as the players and fans remember, even during the most difficult spells of matches, that 'ourselves' is Liverpool FC, then i have every confidence that we can do it.
This isnt some cliched 'feel good' sentiment, it's my genuine viewpoint.
If we have our two crown jewels fit for the majority of the games - and we remember that we're well capable of going out and just doing our own thing to win games - we'll win the title.
Cant wait for Sunday
Apart from the obvious financial rewards and glory, winning the title brings another crucial reward and that is the 'been there, done it' mindset, which enables players and teams to keep their heads, keep their faith and get the job done, even in moments of adversity. Manchester United and Chelsea, both players and fans, have got this. They've got the added confidence that comes from having won league titles and this enables them to always keep the faith, faith in their own ability, to claw out wins when they look unlikely.
We dont have any recent league title wins to draw this confidence from, but both fans and players need to remember, throughout next season, that we are Liverpool FC. Not some two-bit also-ran of a club, we're one of the biggest names on the planet and we've earnt that status.
This month, as various pundits and commentators alike have shown in their predictions, we've also earnt the right to go into the season not just hoping, but believing and expecting success.
The final third of last season has caught people's eye in a big way and has turned heads to an extent whereby pundits who would've previously laughed off the notion of a Liverpool title win, are now not only touting us as contenders, but in many cases, the team who they EXPECT to win the league.
These predictions arent just made randomly, and a lot of highly respected people put their reputations on the line in making them, so for us to feature so favourably - well, it has to mean something. And i think we need to realise this and have faith ourselves.
Players need to go into games thinking 'We will win this, because we are Liverpool'. We need to go into games against lesser sides, not wondering if or how we'll break them down - but thinking about how many we're going to put past them. Our mentality needs to be assertive and we must be aware of our strengths. Never mind negating or worrying about the opposition - just play our game and KNOW that we'll win - because we are simply that good.
It's important off the field too. Fans need to have faith too. We need to remember the 4-1 win at Old Trafford. The 4-0 hammering of Real Madrid. The historic slicing open of Chelsea's home record. The never-say-die attitude which saw us battering the door down til the very end, and taking three last second points at Manchester City, Pompey and Fulham (to name just 3). And the plethora of goals we rifled home in the last 10 games or so.
So when we're still drawing 0-0 in the second half of games, we'll remember the above and keep believing, keep singing and keep dragging our boys to victory. The bond between players and fans was almost tangible at those away games last season. Each and every time that magical last minute winner went in, Nando (at Pompey), Dirk (at City) and Yossi (at Fulham) made a beeline for the fans. Distance obstructed Yossi's path, but the intent was there.
I know full well that the first time we enter the 75th minute and it's still 0-0 at Anfield, there'll be frustration and dropping heads in the crowd. But for the majority, i sincerely hope the memories of last season's resiliance sticks in the mind and prompts us to keep the faith.
If we play with that faith and belief next season, aided by a bit of luck with fitness, we'll win the title. The only thing that can stop us is ourselves.
But as long as the players and fans remember, even during the most difficult spells of matches, that 'ourselves' is Liverpool FC, then i have every confidence that we can do it.
This isnt some cliched 'feel good' sentiment, it's my genuine viewpoint.
If we have our two crown jewels fit for the majority of the games - and we remember that we're well capable of going out and just doing our own thing to win games - we'll win the title.
Cant wait for Sunday
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