This year Liverpool fans think they’re the closest they have been in 3 years to returning to the top 4. Same story every year, right? In all seriousness it is a good chance for Liverpool to get back into the top 4 this year, and some people think that we can achieve that prestigious Champions League spot again. But who are we facing for that spot?
Liverpool – After the introductions of Iago Aspas, Kolo Toure and Simon Mignolet, Liverpool’s team looks considerably then it was of the start of last season, and with optimistic bids for players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Diego Costa, Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers certainly have the ambition to get the top 4. With attempts of improving the obvious weaknesses in the LB, CB and CAM positions, this year (and I know it’s a cliche) could be our year. But that could possibly come down to one man: Luis Suarez. If he stays, we keep an amazing player. If he leaves we secure a bank-load of £55m with Arsenal sniffing around which looks quite unproductively Liverpool look like they’ll need to hold out for Real Madrid to offload him. Either way it’s probably a win-win situation for Liverpool. But we are probably one of the outsiders for the top 4 place.
Tottenham Hotspur – Tottenham have made improvements to their squad with signings of Paulinho and Nacer Chadli and Roberto Soldado’s £26m purchase from Valencia. But that’s not even close in comparison to the Gareth Bale transfer saga. In my (and probably everyone else’s) eyes is that Tottenham have got it sweet with the Gareth Bale deal. If they lose him, they have £80-£120m sitting at their doorstep and if they keep him, they have one of the best players in the world. It’s safe to say that Tottenham already have a big budget, now add £120m to that. Exactly. It’s safe to say Tottenham will probably be favourites for that 4th place spot.
Arsenal – Arsenal, last season somehow grasped 4th place from everyone else’s noses. With a stellar performance at the end of the season, a run that Barcelona could be proud of. But this year with everyone else around them expanding and improving their squads, Arsenal have yet to sign a big name player. But one of Arsenal’s weaknesses is their lack of a 20 goal a season striker. They have tried to sign Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez to end that problem which looks quite unfruitful. The transfer window ends in September but Arsenal are going on a dying turtle’s pace. Without any significant reinforcements maybe this will be the year that Arsenal finally drop out of the top 4. But who knows, they could sign a world class player or go on a Barcelona run like they do every year. Arsenal are certainly maybes in the top 4 race.
Manchester United – Okay, okay before you persecute me for putting Man United on this list just hear me out. Man United after 27 years as manager, Sir Alex Ferguson has retired. But don’t fear Man United fans you have a replacement! Gollum! Ahem, David Moyes. But when Man United have no worries policy about managers for 27 years, it would be a shock for a new man to come in. What if Moyes doesn’t do a good job? After all the guys only trophy is the Football League second division trophy with Preston. After 27 years of smooth sailing, who knows what could happen with Man United, they could storm the league or drop out of the top 4! It’s no secret that Man United’s weakness is a central midfielder. They’re are lacking a proven Premier League midfielder. Perhaps the possible signing of Fabregas could help them. But according to – Barcelona they’re not even close! Man United could find themselves finishing any where across the top 5.
Everton – Yes, Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals are in this too. Why? I don’t know really. They are rank outsiders for that top 4 spot. But can they actually get top 4? David Moyes has left Everton after 11 years at the club, they have a new manager, new faces and probably a new philosophy. But what can we expect from them? Once again Everton always seem to be around 5th-7th place, but this year can they go one better? Roberto Martinez looks like he wants to play attacking free-flowing football with the introductions of players like Gerard Deulofeu into the squad. Roberto Martinez thinks they can break into the top 4 this season, but others are not so sure about his bold claims. Arguably though, Everton have a strictly above-average squad, and the reason they where so consistent for so long is David Moyes. Love him or hate him he made Everton what they are. Can Martinez improve on that? Or will he completely flop? It’s hard to see where Everton will finish this season but the bitt- the toffees will be hoping it will be top 4.
Can Liverpool reclaim their top 4 spot? Will Arsenal retain it? Will Spurs own it? Will Man United drop out of the top 4? Or will Everton shock the world?
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