Liverpool have had another consistent year in the Premier League, but for the fans consistency is not enough. The Anfield faithful want silverware to add to their glory days of TOO long ago.

A fourth-place finish in the league has scraped them into the Champions League qualifying rounds once again, ahead of bitter rivals Everton, and a semi-final place in the Champions League was the best the Anfield club could achieve - falling once again to English rivals Chelsea.

So what do Liverpool have to do to finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy for the first time? What do Arsenal and Manchester United have that Rafa Benitez's men don't?

'Torres needs a top-class striker to partner him up front next season, someone with flair and skill'


Liverpool have a world-class manager in Benitez. Although he has had some stick in recent months you cannot argue with his determination for success for the club and his motivation is high to win the title next season, or his head may be asked for by the owners.

It's a crazy situation really that a team can win the biggest prize in Europe yet cannot win their domestic title as well. They actually lost fewer matches all season than the eventual champions Manchester United - but it was the number of draws they had which really hurt them, epecially in their away performances.

The manager is good, their home ground is like a fortress and the fans are absolutely brilliant. So what does the team need? A clear-out of players and a few excellent summer transfers to kick-start the new season with a  bit of self-belief. That's all really! Not much to ask, is it?

There are a whole host of players who are not good enough to play at a team with the stature of Liverpool. Firstly the lanky Peter Crouch should be told to find a new club. He's scored many goals in his career but to say that Premier League defenders are scared of him would have most people laughing. The gangly giant looks awkward on the pitch and on the odd occasion looks like a new-born donkey trying to walk. He's scored a few important goals for the club but since the arrival of the world class Fernando Torres, Crouch has only been used a 'bit' player and should leave ASAP if he wants to remain in the England frame. It's even more of a worry for the success of the national team if Crouch is among the best strikers we have!

Dirk Kuyt is no good, either, and should never have left the Netherlands while Ryan Babel will take a few more years to really become a world-class player. Torres needs a top-class striker to partner him up front next season, someone with flair and skill. As mentioned in a previous article Diego Milito from Real Zaragoza would be suitable while Spanish international partner David Villa could form a formidable strike force with Torres. Wow, that really would be something! Or even a top-class striker in Europe such as Zlatin Ibrahimovic or Lyon's Karim Benzema, who is a terrific goalscorer and is still only 20.

Liverpool need players who can change games around or put together goals when in need of them. Cristiano Ronaldo does it at Manchester United and Steven Gerrard tries his best at Liverpool but fails to get support from his teammates on too many occasions. The Scandinavian rearguard of Sami Hyppia, Daniel Agger and John Arne Riise are not good enough as a defence unit and Liverpool should also look to strengthen this department this summer. They could do with a Rio Ferdinand or John Terry-type player to hold together the defence; Jamie Carragher is the best they have but he can't do it alone.

Liverpool simply need to continue spending money to be rewarded. On the whole I think they need to show more flair, creativity and attacking football. The manager went in the right direction last season by sigining Torres but he needs to progress his team into title contenders by adding experienced world-class attack-minded players to his squad.

I say out with the old and in with the new and Rafa's men could really start to challenge for the Premier League silverware next season - especially if Ronaldo leaves for Real Madrid!