Liverpool - In Depth Analysis

On the pitch

Goalkeeper

Pepe Reina is arguably the very best custodian the league currently has to offer.

Defenders

Carragher is fading as a defensive force, and neither Agger nor Skrtel are of the highest quality. Johnson solid but not elite, either.

Midfielders
Aquilani return and Mascherano stay give midfield real quality. Gerrard seems motivated for a memorable season.

Attack

Torres might be the finest player in the league. Cole and Jovanovic provide new and improved support.

Manager

Roy Hodgson finally has himself another big job. But can he impress his methods on a group of bigger egos?

Off the pitch

Hunger

With Benitez departed and Roy Hodgson in place, everyone at the club should be working with the sole goal of bringing Liverpool back to their rightful place in English football.

Leaders
Carragher and Gerrard give the side a real sense of purpose and direction, and where they go the others will tend to follow.

Squad Depth
A problem last season, off-season free transfers and youth acquisitions have plugged a number of gaps. But an injury to Fernando Torres would still be disastrous.

Pressure
Expectations are lower to some extent this season, as fans realise the club is struggling in light of the current ownership situation. If anything, players might be slightly freer to express themselves after last season's disaster.

Experience
Squad not manifestly different from group that finished second the season before last. They know what it takes to get back to that level.

Verdict

First choice eleven — and a handful of substitutes — is as good as any of their rivals for Champions League football. But an injury to Fernando Torres, despite David Ngog's gradual emergence, would really hit the club hard, and with that and a new manager to bed in it seems unlikely the club can immediately challenge for the title. With the Spaniard's injury record, even fourth might be a bridge too far in this rebuilding campaign.