My "prediction" does seem wildly optimistic on the face of it, so I'll have a go at explaining/setting myself up to have the p!ss taken out of me come next May.
Clearly we are going to miss Suarez hugely, he was the best player in the league by a distance. He scored 30 odd goals in the same number of games, and we are going to need to compensate. Here's how I think we do it:
The defence:
I'm expecting Simon Mignolet to grow this season into a more dependable goalkeeper who limits his mistakes, commands his area better while still being the best shot stopper in the league.
I really rate Sakho and think he will grow this season into being one of the best centre halves in the league. I don't know too much about Lovren, but it appears the boss wants him to lead the defence. Nobodies done that previously, so we'll obviously improve if he can do it.
We must be able to find at least one better fullback than Jon Flanaghan at left back and/or Glen Johnson at right back. Our two weakest positions by a mile for me.
Midfield: Coutinho I would expect to grow significantly and he can be/is a wonderful player. I've a hunch that Jordan Henderson is about to properly explode onto the scene and well and truly ram words which myself and others have uttered down our throats. Suarez was an incredible signing by Kenny, at the end of this season Henderson will be revered as an absolute steal at 16 million too in my opinion. As an aside, I think he'll score heavily this season, think Aaron Ramsey.
I think Raheem Stirling will emerge this season as a superstar, one of the best players in the league. I think he'll score goals and cause goals to be scored on a regular basis.
Contrary to many, I think Lallana will be a very shrewd purchase. Left sided players who do what he does are gold dust, this lad will be a top player for us.
Up top:
Danny Sturridge will score at least as many as he did last season, probably more without Luis being there. Whoever partners him (and out of current suggestions I'd go with Bony) ought to be able to manage high teens of goals too.
We will severely miss out by not having Suarez, but I expect four or five other areas of the pitch to be stronger. Provided we can keep Gerrard fit and motivated, we will go very close again.
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