Liverpool fans reading this week’s press may be surprised to discover two of their most despised names, paying their team compliments and announcing that they expect the Red’s to mount a serious title challenge for this coming season.

Alex Ferguson has now been joined by his star striker Wayne Rooney, in stating Kenny Dalglish’s team pose possibly the biggest threat to Manchester United’s crown come the August kick-off. Of course, the United pair’s assertions are more in the hope of seeking to add some pressure onto a Liverpool side free from any European distractions this season, rather than in paying them any real admiration. But there may be an element of worry in the statements, especially, as just mentioned, Liverpool’s situation in being able to solely concentrate on domestic matters this season – and with a squad that’s seen £100 million invested in it since January, many might be right in their presumptions that the Redmen from Merseyside should amount a serious title challenge this season.

But only the most blinkered of fans will be getting ahead of themselves when it comes to Liverpool instantly challenging for the league. The club is in a massive transitional stage – the likes that hasn’t been seen during the modern era. Owners, commercially, stadium, coaching staff and players have all been subject to drastic change (or will be) during this new period at the club, with stability being the keyword that has been most used by the people making the changes. The new owners bought a club that was left in a right mess – and manager Kenny Dalglish inherited a squad that was exactly the same, so drastic changes were needed; and these changes are still being made.

Whilst stability is sought off the pitch, on it, the on-going changes have been welcomed. The attempt to clear out the dead-wood, the integration of some youth-team players, and a number of big-money signings, all important moves towards making a team capable of challenging for honours. To go with this, a change of playing style, tactics and overall outlook on how to approach the game, has been worked in by the new manager and his coaching staff. But things like this take time, and is rarely instantaneous.

Of Liverpool’s recent big-money signings, only Stewart Downing is an established proven Premier League player. Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll and Charlie Adam only have what probably adds up to one full Premier League season each between them, for experience. Carroll and Henderson are also still young and will need time to develop themselves as players which may not come this season – though the price-tags each of them carry, will not afford them too much time before they have to deliver. On the whole, Liverpool look to be building a younger team, sprinkled with a few top-class players and whilst things look promising, the money spent and the lack of European distraction points, not unfairly, at a coming challenge. It’s just that one shouldn’t be expected, at least for now.

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