This weekend the wait finally comes to an end, and as ever questions hang in the air. Will that inevitable pre-season confidence be dashed or justified? What are the hopes and fears for the campaign ahead? Where’s the best place to get a pre-match pint?
Chris Wellman, season ticket-holder
The optimistic best you can hope for this season: Pip Chelsea in the last game of the season, and, obviously, finish above Man U and Arsenal – again. I think these three will challenge for the title – with us! Hopefully.
What will really happen: Second – just can’t see past Chelsea yet. Hate to say it, but Man U are a dark horse I feel. We need to be within shouting distance of the top two with about ten games to go to sustain a challenge.
Your words of advice to Rafael Benitez: Try (though not always possible) to play your best team. Think he learned to tinker less over last season. That’s it – his tactical nous is top quality and he knows what he wants out of his team.
Your fears about what he’s done to the team over the summer: Been pleased, added pace in Mark Gonzalez and the two bad boys Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant – we were crying out for that last season, and we’ve added strength in numbers at the back.
Follow up:
Player most likely to create friction and why: Think Bellamy has learnt his lesson, and Pennant will, I think, be glad to have a chance to resurrect his talent at Liverpool. Stephen Warnock is 100 per cent committed, but he may become disillusioned with not being a regular.
Player in the last-chance saloon and why: Pennant. Surely he has the brains to realise what a fantastic opportunity he has to become that player he was touted as?
Player you wished you’d bought this summer: It would have been Damien Duff, but because of a combination of us not reacting quickly enough and his strange desire to follow his “heart” to Newcastle, we missed out on him again!
Player most likely to break through from the reserves and why: Right winger Paul Anderson has played a part in pre-season and looks a talent. Wirral-born striker Craig Lindfield and central defender Jack Hobbs are exciting prospects.
Likely starting XI: Reina, Finnan, Hyppia, Carragher, Riise, Pennant, Alonso, Gerrard, Sissoko, Bellamy and Crouch.
The terrace chant that’s “so last year”: Premiership You’re Having A Laugh (annoying) and You’re Not Singing Any More (even more so).
The chant that will catch on this season: “Chelsea FC, you ain’t got no history – five European Cups and 18 leagues” – that’s what we call history! To the tune of Lord Of The Dance!
Away trip you’re least looking forward to and why: The only rivals – Man U. Always get a mixture of adrenaline and sheer sick feeling as I stand in the away end there. Best buzz by far though.
The fans you’ll love to hate and why: Chelsea. No history, and suddenly everyone from the Home Counties supports them!
The pre-match pub you’d recommend for first-timers to Anfield: The Flat Iron – about five minutes from Anfield.
The best fish and chips/pie near Anfield: Lars’s Chippy, just before the Arkles pub.
Prediction for the first game of the season (away at Sheffield United, Saturday 12.45pm): 2-1 to Liverpool. Our better possession, class and experience, however, should see us through.
Your pre-season feeling in a word: Excited.
