Peter O'Rourke takes an in-depth look at what Liverpool need to clinch the Premier League title.
We look at how sides are gearing up for the new campagn
Rafa Benitez says it will be his greatest achievement if he can lead Liverpool to the Premier League title and the pressure is on to mount a serious challenge for England's top prize. In the latest of our Shaping up for the Season series,
Peter O'Rourke takes an in-depth look at what The Reds need to finish at the summit.
Overview
Liverpool have been nearly men in the Premier League under Rafa Benitez failing to seriously challenge for the title Reds fans are desperate to win above any other one.
Benitez, who is preparing for his fourth season at Anfield, has enjoyed success in the UEFA Champions League, but has struggled to find the right formula to succeed in the Premier League.
The Reds have finished no higher than third under Benitez and last term they came in fourth behind Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Over the last few seasons Liverpool have closed the gap on the leading pack in regards to points at the end of the season and he will need to find more improvement if they are to finally end their 18-year wait for the Premier League.
Liverpool's poor home form dented their ambitions of fighting for the title and Benitez has pin-pointed an improvement in defending set-pieces as key to their hopes of going all the way in championship race.
With a few quality additions to an already star-studded squad Liverpool could finally end their overdue search for the league title.
What's happened so far
Benitez has shown a tendency to raid his native Spain for new players, but it appears he may be changing his focus this summer by going for English talent.
There have rumblings of not much money being made available for Benitez's budget, but the Spaniard will be hoping American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks can put their problems behind them to provide the funds for some major deals.
The only new faces at Anfield this summer are Swiss defender Philipp Degen who has arrived on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund and Italian international Andrea Dossena from Udinese
Dossena, who becomesthe first outfield Italian to join the Reds, will be a straight replacement for John Arne Riise who has left for Roma after seven successful years at Anfield.
Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri from Palmeiras is on the cusp of a move to Anfield to provide cover for Jose Reina to cast further doubt over the future of Scott Carson.
Harry Kewell has departed after seeing out his contract and Benitez will be keen to bring in a new winger to help solve the problematic left-sided position.
The Reds are involved in a very public pursuit of Aston Villa and England international Gareth Barry as Benitez looks to unite him with England team-mate Steven Gerrard.
Should Liverpool be successful in their attempts to snare Barry, Xabi Alonso is expected to leave with Juventus already holding talks over a possible move for the classy Spaniard.
A number of other players could be offloaded in a bid to trim the squad and raise funds for Benitez's transfer plans.
Peter Crouch is on the verge of a move to Portsmouth after Liverpool agreed a deal for the England international.
Yossi Benayoun could be sacrificed with the likes of Portsmouth, Tottenham and Ajax all credited with an interest in the Israeli international.
Jermaine Pennant could also be walking on dangerous ground with the winger failing to win over his detractors since arriving from Birmingham two seasons ago.
What they need
Liverpool scored more goals than anyone in all competitions last season and Benitez has admitted he is hoping to shore up his defence next term.
Benitez was alarmed by the number of goals conceded from set-pieces and he has moved to address this problem by bringing in two new full-backs in the shape of Degen and Dossena.
He is unlikely to look for any new central defenders having brought in Martin Skrtel last January to provide cover for Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia.
The return of Daniel Agger from injury will also be a welcome boost with the Dane missing the most of last year with a foot problem.
In midfield, Benitez needs to bring in two tricky, skilful wingers to provide the ammunition for Fernando Torres.
With the right supply from the wings, Torres could even beat his tally of 33 goals in his debut season last term.
A striker or a withdrawn attacker to play alongside Torres would help ease the burden on the young Spaniard's shoulders after he exceeded all expectations in his first year at Anfield.
Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa has been confirmed as a target by Benitez, but Liverpool are likely to be priced out of the market for the Valencia hit-man.
Tottenham's Robbie Keane has also been mentioned as a possible target, but it would take a major bid to persuade Spurs to let the Irishman leave White Hart Lane.
It would allow skipper Steven Gerrard to move back into his preferred position of midfield from where he could drive the team forward.
What they'll get
Barry is more than likely to end up at Anfield with the player expressing a desire to move to Liverpool and Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill resigned to losing the midfielder.
Milner could make the move from Newcastle to Liverpool with the winger thought to be keen on a switch to Merseyside.
A deal for Downing could be more problematic with Middlesbrough determined not to lose one of their star performers.
A new goalkeeper will arrive to provide cover for Jose Reina with Charles Itandje set to move on.
Fan's view - Jake Abbey
You can never be sure with Rafael Benitez. He is no doubt a great manager but some of his signings baffle me.
We have had the likes of Josemi, Nunez, Kromkamp and Morientes. I just hope Bosman signing Phillip Degen will be as good as he is made out to be.
We have a strong spine in my opinion. We have Pepe Reina in goal who was excellent last season. Jamie Carragher may not be the rock he used to be but he is still one of the best centre backs in the Premier League.
The signing of Martin Skrtel and the return of Daniel Agger along with the experience of Hypiia is as strong as you will see.
Gerrard has finally found his best position, just off the striker, and who better to work with then Fernando Torres. He scored a prolific amount of goals last year, even with a slow start.
People are saying that because it is Torres's second season that defenders will know him better but what good will that do? Firstly no defender can stop Torres when his on form and he will know defenders better.
I would like to see an attacking full-back brought in and would love to see Phillip Lahm at the club.
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