Liverpool's addition of quality players renew fans' hopes of success

Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool FC, in the last part of the decade, has witnessed its darkest days in its long history. Once the shining face of English football, it has now fallen way back in the race. For the past four seasons, it doesn’t even feature in the elite European tournament.

Before last season had started, Liverpool were a club in a fair bit of trouble. They had just sacked Kenny Dalglish, one of their legendary players, and they had to find a replacement. The replacement they found was Brendan Rodgers, the Swansea manager.

There was a gulf of optimism surrounding the club when he was appointed. Brendan Rodgers bought two players to strengthen the team, Fabio Borini and Joe Allen. He coached them both when he was still at Swansea.

It was all according to plan, until he loaned Andy Carroll out to West Ham. This left Liverpool with only two senior recognised strikers, Luis Suárez and Fabio Borini. When the deal for Clint Dempsey fell through, and he opted to go to Tottenham Hotspur instead, the optimism evaporated. Liverpool ended the season a disappointing 7th.

However, this season, with Liverpool’s impressive activity in the transfer market, coupled with their excellent start to the season, there is renewed optimism to believe that Champions League football is not far beyond their reach this season.

There is also hope that this can reignite that club spirit which has been lost for almost five years now and turn Anfield back into the much-harped about fortress of the 70s and 80s.

Continuing from the excellent mid-season signings of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge in January last season, Rodgers has moved just as smartly, adding balance to the Reds’ squad by strengthening areas they earlier lacked quality. The additions of Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto and Victor Moses should bring creativity in the final third while Simon Mignolet should provide stability between the sticks.

Proving that the club intends to move further in the right direction, Liverpool brought in Kolo Toure, who brings a wealth of experience and Premier League winning experience, on a free transfer which is an absolute steal for the Kop. Further, they went on to add two very good players with solid technical abilities in Mamando Sakho and Tiago Ilori. There is not only sufficient depth in the squad but the first team has been bolstered as well.

The advantage of bringing those many players in is they will never be short of options. This will put Liverpool in a promising position in the Premier League.

But the question remains whether the Reds are capable of bringing back the glory days to Anfield? Or are they just going to be a bunch of flops?

Liverpool have started the season very strongly and will be looking to push Arsenal and Tottenham for the final Champions League spot. Having secured all maximum points from the opening three Premier League matches – the latest coming against bitter rivals Manchester United – Liverpool now sits atop the table.

Due to this, and to the excellent football on display, optimism amongst fans is brewing, but how far up the league can Liverpool finish this season is to be seen.