The headline-grabbing signing of Robbie Keane has stirred Liverpool fans into their annual bout of anticipation that this could be the year they win the title for the first time since 1990.
Irish captain Keane cost Liverpool 20 million pounds ($38.56 million) when he signed from Tottenham Hotspur and promises to be the perfect foil for last season's spectacular success story Fernando Torres.
The Spanish Euro 2008 winner scored 33 goals in his debut Anfield campaign, with little striking support, to become an instant hero of the Kop.
Manager Rafael Benitez has moved to ease the pressure on Torres by bringing in Keane to play a support role that should ensure plenty of goals.
Keane scored 23 goals for Spurs last season and although he admits he was happy at the London side he could not resist the chance of joining the club he supported as a boy.
Benitez, who has also spent the off-season chasing Aston Villa's holding midfielder Gareth Barry, is still hoping the England international will sign before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Although he is making no predictions about Liverpool winning the title, he is optimistic about the season.
"I am confident about my squad and I am happy that we have the best squad since I arrived at Anfield," he told the Daily Mirror newspaper.
"The key is not to say we will win the title, because the Premier League is now the best, and most difficult, in Europe.
"Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are the best in Europe, but my belief is unshakeable that we can compete with them."
However, despite the arrival of Keane and Benitez's optimism, Liverpool still look short of matching the leading trio.
Benitez admitted at the start of the break that he needed a top-quality left winger and has failed to fill that gap, while the central defence is an area that could be left short if injuries hit.
Right back Philipp Degen has come in from Borussia Dortmund and Andrea Dossena has joined from Udinese as the new left back, with John Arne Riise moving to Roma.
The transitional nature of Liverpool's defence could be their Achilles heel as they go in search of the title that has eluded them for so long.
Irish captain Keane cost Liverpool 20 million pounds ($38.56 million) when he signed from Tottenham Hotspur and promises to be the perfect foil for last season's spectacular success story Fernando Torres.
The Spanish Euro 2008 winner scored 33 goals in his debut Anfield campaign, with little striking support, to become an instant hero of the Kop.
Manager Rafael Benitez has moved to ease the pressure on Torres by bringing in Keane to play a support role that should ensure plenty of goals.
Keane scored 23 goals for Spurs last season and although he admits he was happy at the London side he could not resist the chance of joining the club he supported as a boy.
Benitez, who has also spent the off-season chasing Aston Villa's holding midfielder Gareth Barry, is still hoping the England international will sign before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Although he is making no predictions about Liverpool winning the title, he is optimistic about the season.
"I am confident about my squad and I am happy that we have the best squad since I arrived at Anfield," he told the Daily Mirror newspaper.
"The key is not to say we will win the title, because the Premier League is now the best, and most difficult, in Europe.
"Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are the best in Europe, but my belief is unshakeable that we can compete with them."
However, despite the arrival of Keane and Benitez's optimism, Liverpool still look short of matching the leading trio.
Benitez admitted at the start of the break that he needed a top-quality left winger and has failed to fill that gap, while the central defence is an area that could be left short if injuries hit.
Right back Philipp Degen has come in from Borussia Dortmund and Andrea Dossena has joined from Udinese as the new left back, with John Arne Riise moving to Roma.
The transitional nature of Liverpool's defence could be their Achilles heel as they go in search of the title that has eluded them for so long.
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