At this moment in time Liverpool are locked in a battle with city rivals Everton for fourth spot. Not the title battle many were hoping for this season. However, once again Rafa Benitez’s saving grace is the fact they are still in the Champions League and hold the edge over Arsenal in their quarter-final. Who would argue against Liverpool progressing to the semi-final in front of the Kop? Yet for all their success in Europe it is the league title that the Scousers yearn for more than anything.

It has been almost 20 years since Liverpool claimed the title, an inexcusable length of time for a team who have won the league 18 times – a fact the fans know only to well. This summer will prove key to Rafa’s survival. He now has a highly impressive core to his side in Jamie Carragher, Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, and if he can build a team around these individuals successfully then surely the league title is a very real possibility.

Firstly, Benitez will need to shift the dead wood at the club. The likes of Dirk Kuyt, Harry Kewell and Jermaine Pennant are not good enough for a team like Liverpool. It appears that Peter Crouch will also leave the club – a good move for a player who should be playing Premier League football week in, week out. He should have a long look at what Jermain Defoe has done – one thing is for sure, there will be no shortage of takers.

‘... another quality striker must be purchased. Ajax’s Klaas Jan-Huntelaar is most certainly a man in demand and a move to Liverpool could be ideal for him.’


All that remains is what players Benitez should invest in. As previously stated, the core of the team is impressive so no multi-million buys should have to be made. Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel look able enough to partner Carragher at the back, with the only real position of weakness being right-back. Schalke’s Rafinha has been put forward as a potential signing and if Sevilla fail to make Europe this season rumours surrounding Dani Alves will escalate immensely.

Other signings will really depend on what system Benitez wants to play. Ideally, it would be a 4-3-3 similar to that which was endorsed by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, with Torres leading the line, flanked by Babel and one other. Ricardo Quaresma has been continuously linked with a move to Anfield but other options range from Aaron Lennon to Ronaldinho, both or who are probably available for transfer this summer.

However, if Liverpool do offload several players another quality striker must be purchased. Ajax’s Klaas Jan-Huntelaar is most certainly a man in demand and a move to Liverpool could be ideal for him. There would be less pressure on him to score goals as he would not be the main man, and he could be eased into the season as opposed to being thrown in at the deep end.

Barring boardroom shenanigans and unwise investment, next year should be the year that Liverpool mount a serious challenge to the top three. Another year similar to this one could see the pressure really build on Benitez. This is not to say that unless he wins the league he is gone. Liverpool fans would be happy to be in the race up until the closing stages just to indicate they are going in the right direction. My personal prediction is that Rafa’s revolution will reignite Liverpool as a title force next season.