James Pilnick, Huyton
It only seems like five minutes ago we were stood in the Wanda Metropolitano celebrating the Reds becoming champions of Europe for the sixth time!
Yet here we are, only hours away from the start of the new campaign. I’ll be honest, I’m still in a state of disbelief that 97 points wasn’t enough to win the league. Repeating that feat is a big ask, but that’s the reality for anyone hoping to overhaul a City squad built with zero financial constraints.
Klopp’s Reds have shown time and again we can step up to the challenge, and we’ll back ourselves to go one better in pursuit of the prize we crave the most.
We have a world-class manager and team, and there’s a feelgood factor the likes of which I can’t remember as a matchgoing Red.
In the words of our former skipper – WE GO AGAIN!
Simon Donnelly, Freshfield
And so it begins... not a moment too soon!
A very encouraging Community Shield performance can only bode well for the season ahead.
SURELY City can’t win three Premier League titles on the bounce? SURELY we can be there to pick up that crown if they fall just a little short?
But I am haunted by the old adage, ‘if you stay still in the Prem you go backwards,’ and I see our rivals strengthening and feel pangs of concern.
But, then I remember the other adage, ‘in Jurgen we trust’ and I rest a little easier.
Roll on Friday, and Norwich at home.
Let’s start this soap opera with a powerful statement!
Alex Watt, Rainford
Well, Liverpool’s ‘friendly’ against Manchester City in the Community Shield certainly lived up to the hype.
While there was disappointment not to win, there is no shame in losing on penalties and I don’t think Manchester City will take any psychological advantage from the game. The overwhelming feeling afterwards was that these two teams still look head and shoulders above the rest.
Although some of the sloppiness in the first half was a slight concern, the way Liverpool grew into the game and ended it as the better team was a reminder just how good this squad is.
The performance made me even more excited for Liverpool to kick-off their league campaign on Friday against Norwich, and on this evidence, I’m definitely ready to dream again and go through all the joy and stress of another title race.
Mark Baker, Huyton
The availability of Philippe Coutinho will shadow Liverpool’s start to the season.
Make no mistake, Coutinho is an elite world-class player, with the player profile that the side lack most.
Given any encouragement from Barcelona, the club should have been making him the number one priority and re-signing the Brazilian. Coutinho was the best player in English football at the time of his departure and the idea that Liverpool are a better side without him is sheer nonsense.
Liverpool’s defensive record has improved with the recruitment of individuals in the defensive third and not the organisation without the ball, with the side recording similar numbers in relation to shots faced/conceded.
Coutinho walks back in the side in the left-sided No.8 role and higher if required depending on the opponent, giving the side the genius it lacks in a central areas - to make the difference in the league's outcome.
