Kenny Dalglish believes the Liverpool stars who pushed Manchester United all the way in the title race will march into next season "full of belief".
Times have changed since Dalglish was Liverpool manager when they won their last title 19 years ago, and Sir Alex Ferguson's men have now equalled Liverpool's record of 18 league titles.
But Dalglish considers that Liverpool under Rafael Benitez can stop United taking the lead next term with a 19th crown. "There is always expectation, but I believe that this time it will be justified," he said.
"I just hope Rafa can build on the good work that he has achieved this season.
"Obviously we would love to be in Manchester United's position, everybody would. But we have got a lot closer this season than we have got in previous years and that is very important.
"It will give them great belief now when they go into next season - with one or two changes, obviously."
Liverpool will be runners-up if they take one point from Sunday's final game at home to Spurs, although it would take a remarkable turnaround on goal difference for Chelsea to overtake them now.
Dalglish said: "There is a lot more positivity at the end of this season than there has been in many previously.
"Rafa signing his contract, Stevie Gerrard agreeing to stay, Fernando Torres agreeing to stay and Dirk Kuyt also signing a new contract.
"All that is brilliant. And now we have the two Americans (owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks) working more closely together. All that is very positive."
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i love Xabi Alonso
Come on Mr. Rafa get a world class Center back and left back. Pls. dont sell Alonso!I cant wait for the next BPL season!! No more draw result against bottom teams!!!!
im not a rafa fan but i feel the keane transfer was forced upon him he wanted barry but made to have keane thats why in his new contract he demanded more control so come july he may bring in completely different players like he did at start the big mystery to me is whether you winning or losing he always makes a sub at about 65 but a straight swap of right midfielders or something which is so weird, i hoping u will sell lucas though he is shocking
i dont believe rafa wanted to sign robbie keane was more thrust upon him, a few of the signings id like to see at liverpool next season glen johnson(gettable), aaron lennon(gettable), ribery tho doubt that will happen. a world class striker screws up the torres gerrard combo and you arnt gonna get one to warm the bench up.
Poor Kenny I aways thought he was pragmatic but it must be true love is blind
Raffa I would like someone to ask why did you buy Robbie Keane? now what a waste of money that turned out to be
I still feel Liverpool need 2-4 signings in diffrent areas to strengthen the squad
when the first team is playing fine no problems but if Torres is out who will score a goal? (mind you he is amazing)
If gerard is out who will run midfield? Alonso does not appear to be up to it alone fine he and gerard together
rational thoughts on what players you feel would be good enough to come in for those 2 players mentioned but would also be happy to bench warm for the majority of the time?
and forgot to add. Liverpool fans again arrogant as they are after every season. "oh we need to buy world class here here and here, thats all we need" oh is that it. Every season you need to sign 3 world class players and you'll be great. Any team is great if they buy world class players. World class dont want to play for your club. and after 5 seasons of signing world class every year you have gerrard who wasnt signed and torres who without gerrard looks nothing. Well done haha.
stop being so arrogant. If you need 3 world class players to win the league then Chelsea and utd need noone and if they sign any world class players then would go further ahead wouldnt they.
well if they dont improve than its bad management again. It shouldnt ber taking 6 seasons of buying players to try get a team anyway.
ANd they didnt push them all the way as still a game to play. Chelsea and utd will fight it out next season anyway but of course liverpool will be close. and Arsenal will also be close.
sure its gonna run close again between us and liverpool and chelski again so i think we are in for another exciting season where we probably lose to chelski l/pool and arsenal as well as city and still come back and win it.hehe.
kenny your dreamin son,if liverpool improve next season thats a big if,whats united going to do sit on there hands&do nothing?fat chance.united will make it four in a row next year no worries.
liverpool have no chance of winning anything for the next ten years.
@ rafascrackingup,
Wow I can tell your a pundit, as you know jack s**t, go back to your McDonalds fatty!
Liverpoo will not challenge next season,they will struggle getting the fourth place and they will fail
I THINK UTD PUSHED THEMSELVES WITHOUT LIVERPOOLS HELP.
Every year they turn a corner....... and end up back where they were. YSB, YSB
Rafa should buy a world class defender..no more Dossenas and Arbeloas...plus 1 world class striker..that's all we need...and please don't sell Alonso
Yeah Kenny.Believing is achieving.We just need two or three important signings and that will be all.Sir but we have to be careful to the type of Robbie signings.Next year is ours
another year another expectation to win, another failure, another year, another expectation to win, another failure, another year.......
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