Top four hopefuls – Liverpool out to right last season wrongs
Published:Having missed out on Champions League qualification last season, Liverpool will be desperate to finish in the top four, and they are 11/8 to do so. We look at their chances.
Goalkeeper
In Pepe Reina, Liverpool have arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, and the consistently excellent Spaniard should mean that the club will have nothing to worry about in goal.
Defence
At odds of 14/1 to win the title, the Premier League may prove beyond Liverpool this season, but their defence has been bolstered by the acquisition of 18-year-old Scottish centre-back Danny Wilson, who has joined from Rangers in a £5m deal.
There is uncertainty at left-back, however, with Fabio Aurelio gone and Emiliano Insua close to joining Fiorentina. New boss Roy Hodgson will need to plug this gap, and Man City outcast Wayne Bridge is rumoured to be a transfer target.
Midfield
Much will be expected of new signing Joe Cole, who has arrived on a free transfer from Chelsea, and he is 2/1 to haunt his old club by scoring against them this season.
Cole will bring the guile and craft which was lacking in Liverpool’s midfield last season, and it will be interesting to see how he gels with Steven Gerrard, who seems to have committed himself to Liverpool despite being linked with a move away from Anfield.
Gerrard scored a scorching goal from distance when Liverpool last won a trophy – the FA Cup in 2006, which they are 8/1 to win this season – and the captain will again be the man to lead Liverpool by example.
Attack
As ever, the weight of expectation in attack rests heavily on Fernando Torres, who is priced at 7/1 to be the Premier League’s top scorer this season.
His understudy David N’Gog showed glimpses of improvement last season, but Torres is more likely to find assistance from new signing, Serbian forward Milan Jovanovic.
How do you think Liverpool will do? They are 7/4 to win any major trophy this season. See the full Liverpool Specials market.
