2016/17 SEASON PREDICTIONS!

Ahh the new premier league season is upon us...

Yesterday saw the kick off to the 2016/17 campaign with the only 'shock' result being manager-less Hull beating defending champions Leicester 2-1. Other than that it was a pretty anti-climatic start to the season on opening day, however today the reds take centre stage as they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. So I thought what better way to prepare for the season and get this website going than to do a few (probably completely inaccurate) predictions for Liverpool's season ahead.

So getting straight into it I predict that Liverpool will just miss out on top 4 and finish 5th in the league. LFC fans on twitter seem to be a lot more optimistic than myself... but here's my reasoning: Both the Manchester clubs have strengthened massively over the summer transfer window and have spent big, they also both have wold class managers in Guardiola and Mourinho... It pains me to admit I think it will be between these two for the league title and I feel Mourinho's United have it in them to go all the way... *sighs*. Arsenal are guaranteed top 4, they never really lose any of their "big" players and have consistently been top 4. They've signed well in Xhaka and are still looking to bring in a striker, for me I see no reason for them to drop out of the top four now, they still have just enough quality to stay there. The battle will be between Chelsea and us for 4th. Similar to us, they have no European football and can focus on their league campaigns Hazard can't do any worse than last season and I can really see him kicking on now and leaving that in the past, they've brought in Kante (who arguably won the league for Leicester) and Batshuayi (a very exciting young talent) and their current team isn't so different from the one that won the league 2 years ago so they aren't that bad. Chelsea will just edge top 4 over us :(

I think we'll do enough to finish above spurs and Leicester. In my eyes I'm not sure if either have done enough in the transfer market to strengthen their squad to compete in the champions league and league, and for that reason they'll struggle to get into the top 4 again.

Top goalscorer: Firmino

I think the Brazilian will bag 15+ goals in the league this year. He was our top goalscorer in the league last season, and I can see him picking up goals against your "lesser" teams especially as it's looking as if Klopp sees him as his first choice forward with Sturridge being an injury doubt. Roberto just needs to regain his fitness, he hasn't looked as sharp over preseason.

Sturridge can't seem to stay fit which is a massive shame. When fit he could be argued one of the best strikers in the league.

Origi looks second choice at the moment and injuries recently also seem to be a slight issue for him

Klopp seems he still just wants to boost Ings' fitness and get his match sharpness up, but I'm sure once Klopp thinks he's ready hell get his chance.

Benteke is set to leave with interest from Crystal Palace and West Brom. It's likely Palace's funds will free up a bit more once Bolasie makes his move to the blue half of Merseyside this week

And balotelli.. well what is there to say?

Top assists: I initially would of said James Milner after his impressive record last year but as it looks like he'll now be filling in as a back up LB I think it will be Mane or Coutinho... both seem to be our first choice winger options (Coutinho on the left and Mane on the right) so it only makes sense that the pair of them should be getting crosses into the box and cutting in to create space and feeding the striker with through balls to create chances. As long as the ball goes into the back of the net I predict Coutinho or Mane will be the ones creating them.

Player of the season: Coutinho, It's been him for the past two years so you only presume he will get better and it will be him again... he is a magician after all.

Worst player:A bit of a depressing one... I try to go into the new season full of optimism and hoping he can prove us wrong, but it has to be Moreno. He's in contest with Mignolet on who the fans seems to dislike more on social media but unfortunately everyone will always remember the Europa league final last and his "input"... it doesn't look likely that we'll go and sign a replacement unless one comes up so he's got the chance, again, to prove us all wrong and not be a complete air head... I hope he does.