After a hugely successful, albeit trophyless, 2008-2009, Liverpool head into the new season with mixed expectations. On one hand, we grabbed Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani, two players with quality and that can be looked at as major upgrades. On the other hand, we lost Xabi Alonso… and nothing can heal a wound such as that. With injuries to our central defenders heading into 2009-2010, and uncertainty surrounding the future of Javier Mascherano, it is tough to say how we’ll start.
Regardless, part of how we do is down to whom we are playing and competing against. That’s where LFC-News comes in… I’ll give you the lowdown on the other 19 clubs, as well as our own team, on a variety of topics. How have we fared against them during our time with Rafa? Who did they sign, and who did they lose? What is the general vibe at their club? And when do we play them? I will also give you my prediction on how they will finish. So enjoy!
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ARSENALLast Season: 4th
5 Key Players: Fabregas, Arshavin, Walcott, Van Persie, Gallas.
Style of Play: Flowing, technical superiority. “Beautiful” Football.
Key Additions: Vermaelen (Ajax)
Key Losses: Adebayor (Man City), Kolo Toure (Man City)
When We Play Them: December (h), February (a)
Rafa’s Record: 3 wins, 3 losses, 4 draws
In 3-5 Sentences…: Arsenal are a team on the decline, it has to be said. With the losses of Toure and Adebayor without any significant addtions, and with nobody in the middle of the pitch that can combat against physical opposition, Arsenal are looking like the team most likely to be wobbly with their position in the top 4. Though they are rife with quality, particularly in the attacking department, they are small and lack courage in defense at times. They play well against the top sides, like us, but are rubbish against the Stoke City and Bolton sides that play more physically. I have a sneaking suspicion that they will finish 5th this season.
Prediction: 5th.
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ASTON VILLALast Season: 6th
5 Key Players: A. Young, Carew, Petrov, Milner, Friedel
Style of Play: Counterattacking, exuberant, tightly knit unit that plays very enthusiastically and positively.
Key Additions: Delph (Leeds), Beye (Newcastle), Downing (Middlesbrough)
Key Losses: Barry (Man City), Knight (Bolton)
When We Play Them: August (h), December (a)
Rafa’s Record: 7 wins, 0 losses, 3 draws
In 3-5 Sentences…: The sale of Gareth Barry to Manchester City will certainly hurt Aston Villa, but their quest to reach the Champions League places is more hurt by City’s signings and Everton’s consistency. They are a young squad, though, and have some incredible players with very bright futures ahead of them. Villa are a tough team to play, as they are very quick and well-organized, but a UEFA Cup place is probably all they can hope for. And under Rafa, we have never lost to them… and I don’t expect that to change.
Prediction: 8th.
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BIRMINGHAM CITYLast Season: 2nd in the Championship (automatically promoted)
5 Key Players: Larsson, Carsley, Bowyer, Hart, Ferguson
Style of Play: Tough, Difficult to break down, Athletic and Physical.
Key Additions: Ferguson (Rangers), Hart (Manchester City loan), Bowyer (West Ham), Benitez (Santos Laguna), Johnson (Cardiff)
Key Losses: Kelly (Fulham)
When We Play Them: November (h), April (a)
Rafa’s Record: 0 wins, 2 losses, 4 draws
In 3-5 Sentences…: Birmingham City are Rafa’s bogey side, with the one exception of that incredible 7-1 thumping in the FA Cup quarterfinals in 2006. The Brummies seem to be able to play above and beyond their ability levels in tough matches against the top sides, yet have always seemed to falter in the easier matches. After a season in the Championship, Birmingham have come back tougher and with more quality. Unless they struggle to score goals, which is my only worry for them, I think they have enough depth and strength to stay up. With the likes of Larsson, Phillips, Ferguson, Hart, etc, they have enough players who can cope with the demands of the Premiership and have the experience to know what it will be like.
Prediction: 14th.
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BLACKBURN ROVERSLast Season: 15th
5 Key Players: McCarthy, Robinson, Diouf, Warnock, Pedersen
Style of Play: Physical and negative, but very organized and gritty… what else would you expect from an Allardyce side?
Key Additions: Di Santo (Chelsea loan), Jacobsen (Everton)
Key Losses: Santa Cruz (Man City), Derbyshire (Olympiakos), Ooijer (PSV)
When We Play Them: December (a), February (h)
Rafa’s Record: 5 wins, 1 loss, 4 draws
In 3-5 Sentences…: Blackburn are that “very forgettable” team that exists in the Premiership, because the way they play is highly unmemorable. They are physical, to say the least, and often play to not lose against the top sides. As a result, their record against the top sides is horrific. Under Allardyce, though, Blackburn have become much more solid and have started to express themselves again. Any team with Diouf, though, will always be easier to hate than to love and I have a feeling that they’ll survive the relegation battle that they are sure to get sucked into.
Prediction: 16th.
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BOLTON WANDERERSLast Season: 13th
5 Key Players: Jaaskelainen, Taylor, Davies, Davis, Cahill
Style of Play: Route One, Physical and Organized.
Key Additions: Sean Davis (Portsmouth), Knight (Aston Villa), Ricketts (Hull City), Robinson (West Brom loan)
Key Losses: none
When We Play Them: August (a), January (h)
Rafa’s Record: 7 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw
In 3-5 Sentences…: Bolton are a club that consistently defy the odds and make the bookies win a lot of money! People consistently write this side off, but they are a well-organized and tough side to play against. In recent seasons, they have learned to rely on more than just the long-ball and have quality players such as Matthew Taylor and Johan Ellmander in addition to their “usual suspect” in Kevin Davies. With a difficult backline of Cahill, Gardiner, Jaaskelainen, and co., Bolton should expect a difficult season but one in which they are strong enough defensively to cope. They will probably finish somewhere around 15th.
Prediction: 15th.
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BURNLEY FCLast Season: Promoted via Championship Playoff (5th)
5 Key Players: Paterson, Eagles, Fletcher, Carlisle, Alexander
Style of Play: Counterattacking, positive, and full of enthusiasm… they definitely get AT you.
Key Additions: Fletcher (Hibernian), Edgar (Newcastle), Mears (Derby)
Key Losses: none
When We Play Them: September (h), April (a)
Rafa’s Record: none in the Premiership… just the famous 0-1 loss in the FA Cup!
In 3-5 Sentences…: Burnley have an incredibly difficult task ahead of them in the Premiership this season. They are everyone’s favorites to go down, along with Portsmouth, and I expect that to be their fate, as well. Burnley just didn’t sign enough quality players, and will struggle to creatively break down Premiership defenses. I just don’t believe that they have enough midfield talent to stay up… though of course I can be proven wrong! Owen Coyle is a good manager, though, and perhaps he’ll find a way to get the best out of his players.
Prediction: 18th.
