£100m just to compete, but now new Liverpool stars must aim for the top
By Dominic King
Liverpool stage a press conference to present their first three major summer signings in an attempt to state their intentions for the new campaign.
Sitting at the top table alongside new manager Roy Hodgson are Joe Cole and Milan Jovanovic, who arrived at Anfield on Bosman deals from Chelsea and Standard Liege respectively, and Danny Wilson, a novice defender from Rangers, who cost an initial £2million.
It is a scene that speaks volumes.
With no hope of matching Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City in the transfer market because of the financial crisis engulfing the club, Liverpool unveil the fruits of a summer spent rummaging for bargains.
As we now know, it was not a successful ploy.
MELWOOD: AUGUST 3, 2011
Liverpool stage a press conference to present their first three major summer signings in an attempt to state their intentions for the new campaign.
Sitting at the top table, peering over umpteen microphones at a battery of photographers and cameramen are Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam, who have cost a combined £43m.
It is a scene that speaks volumes.
Determined to mount a challenge to Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, Liverpool unveil the fruits of a summer in which they have been the second biggest spenders.
The comparison with the previous summer could not be starker.
But, in the space of just over 12 months, Liverpool have gone from being a club in danger of losing their way to one with their momentum back.
When you then consider Henderson, Downing and Adam - who faced the media on Wednesday alongside Brazilian reserve keeper Alexander Doni - have arrived at Anfield hot on the heels of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, it is evident why Kenny Dalglish's new Liverpool are a hot topic.
With the spending of big money, however, comes increased pressure and expectation.
Principal owner John W Henry, the man who has backed Dalglish's £100m overhaul, said earlier this week it will be 'disappointing' if Liverpool do not secure a Champions League return in May.
The Scot and his players have to deliver this season - in some ways, his task is more complicated than the one he faced when he replaced Hodgson as manager in January.
Building up a head of steam when many teams have run out of puff, as was the case at the start of the year, is one thing. Overseeing a campaign of consistency and progression is another but Dalglish is not fazed.
'It's helpful if everyone is singing the same song,' he said. 'At the start of this season, everyone is full of hope and aspiration.
'The people who come to support the club are happier than they were earlier. A few (good) results have done everybody the world of good.
'During the summer, signing three or four players also helps them. In and around the city, you can see the feel-good factor is there.'
So what of the men he has brought in?
Downing, at £20m, is the most expensive - he is the fourth costliest purchase in Liverpool's history - but his two appearances since joining from Aston Villa have been encouraging.
'There's a buzz about the place,' said Downing. 'The new signings have come in and (the team) did well towards the end of last season. We've got a great manager and everyone is pulling together in the right direction. The club is on the up and I want to be part of it.'
Henderson, who cost £16m and could make his Barclays Premier League debut against former club Sunderland on the opening weekend, was more guarded but did tell of his desire to get Liverpool back into Europe.
The man who struck the most significant chord, though, was £7m Adam.
Yes, his first season in the Premier League with Blackpool was impressive but standing out for Liverpool is another matter.
If there is scrutiny on Dalglish, the same is true for his signings but Adam is comfortable with the weight of expectation.
'We know what we want to do next year,' said the Scotland midfielder.
'The expectation is to win every week. No disrespect to Blackpool, but this club is ginormous. It's one of the top ones in the world.
'There aren't many who would get 40,000 fans watching a training session (in Malaysia), 80,000 watching a friendly. That's the expectation here. We'll have targets and we have to deliver. If we do, we'll be happy.'
Clicky
By Dominic King
Liverpool stage a press conference to present their first three major summer signings in an attempt to state their intentions for the new campaign.
Sitting at the top table alongside new manager Roy Hodgson are Joe Cole and Milan Jovanovic, who arrived at Anfield on Bosman deals from Chelsea and Standard Liege respectively, and Danny Wilson, a novice defender from Rangers, who cost an initial £2million.
It is a scene that speaks volumes.
With no hope of matching Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City in the transfer market because of the financial crisis engulfing the club, Liverpool unveil the fruits of a summer spent rummaging for bargains.
As we now know, it was not a successful ploy.
MELWOOD: AUGUST 3, 2011
Liverpool stage a press conference to present their first three major summer signings in an attempt to state their intentions for the new campaign.
Sitting at the top table, peering over umpteen microphones at a battery of photographers and cameramen are Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam, who have cost a combined £43m.
It is a scene that speaks volumes.
Determined to mount a challenge to Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, Liverpool unveil the fruits of a summer in which they have been the second biggest spenders.
The comparison with the previous summer could not be starker.
But, in the space of just over 12 months, Liverpool have gone from being a club in danger of losing their way to one with their momentum back.
When you then consider Henderson, Downing and Adam - who faced the media on Wednesday alongside Brazilian reserve keeper Alexander Doni - have arrived at Anfield hot on the heels of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, it is evident why Kenny Dalglish's new Liverpool are a hot topic.
With the spending of big money, however, comes increased pressure and expectation.
Principal owner John W Henry, the man who has backed Dalglish's £100m overhaul, said earlier this week it will be 'disappointing' if Liverpool do not secure a Champions League return in May.
The Scot and his players have to deliver this season - in some ways, his task is more complicated than the one he faced when he replaced Hodgson as manager in January.
Building up a head of steam when many teams have run out of puff, as was the case at the start of the year, is one thing. Overseeing a campaign of consistency and progression is another but Dalglish is not fazed.
'It's helpful if everyone is singing the same song,' he said. 'At the start of this season, everyone is full of hope and aspiration.
'The people who come to support the club are happier than they were earlier. A few (good) results have done everybody the world of good.
'During the summer, signing three or four players also helps them. In and around the city, you can see the feel-good factor is there.'
So what of the men he has brought in?
Downing, at £20m, is the most expensive - he is the fourth costliest purchase in Liverpool's history - but his two appearances since joining from Aston Villa have been encouraging.
'There's a buzz about the place,' said Downing. 'The new signings have come in and (the team) did well towards the end of last season. We've got a great manager and everyone is pulling together in the right direction. The club is on the up and I want to be part of it.'
Henderson, who cost £16m and could make his Barclays Premier League debut against former club Sunderland on the opening weekend, was more guarded but did tell of his desire to get Liverpool back into Europe.
The man who struck the most significant chord, though, was £7m Adam.
Yes, his first season in the Premier League with Blackpool was impressive but standing out for Liverpool is another matter.
If there is scrutiny on Dalglish, the same is true for his signings but Adam is comfortable with the weight of expectation.
'We know what we want to do next year,' said the Scotland midfielder.
'The expectation is to win every week. No disrespect to Blackpool, but this club is ginormous. It's one of the top ones in the world.
'There aren't many who would get 40,000 fans watching a training session (in Malaysia), 80,000 watching a friendly. That's the expectation here. We'll have targets and we have to deliver. If we do, we'll be happy.'
Clicky
from now on I will skip talking about our finances. That is a promise and will save myself from looking like a 
) of sales. In reality, since Jan, we spent ~£40 and got 6 players.
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