Can Liverpool compete again in the Premier League?

Replacing Luis Suarez is a huge issue for Liverpool

Liverpool made a stunning run at the Premier League title last season but it has been a tricky summer and Alex Johnson looks into how they are shaping up for the upcoming season.

Last season Liverpool came within a whisker of ending their 24-year title wait, but can the Reds build on their runner-up finish?

Expectancy levels at Anfield soared after Christmas, as a Luis Suarez inspired Reds rampaged to the top of the table amid a flood of goal scoring and impressive attacking displays.

If Brendan Rodgers' time on Merseyside was a band, the 2014/15 season would surely be that dreaded pressure-filled second album.

His maiden season yielded seventh place and little change for the Reds, but now the manager has wooed the masses with second spot and over 100 league goals in a single season.

Having come so close to the ultimate glory so early in his Liverpool career, can Rodgers' Reds maintain their upward curve?

Managing Expectations

Last August, little was expected of Liverpool as title contenders. With talisman Suarez serving out his biting ban, the Merseysiders were 20/1 shots for Premier League glory.

Daniel Sturridge picked up the baton though and, when Suarez returned, Liverpool manoeuvred themselves into title contention.

The Reds grew stronger as the season wore on, narrowly missing out on top spot having been odds-on for glory after disposing of Manchester City at Anfield in April.

More than anything else, that brush with success will mean Liverpool supporters come to the table for the new season, yet again, firm in the belief that 'this will be the year'.

Replacing Suarez

Liverpool can now approach a new campaign without the shadow of transfer talk surrounding the Uruguayan superstar.

His World Cup bite in Brazil fast-tracked an exit to Barcelona meaning Rodgers and Liverpool must consign his brilliance to the memory bank.

Now the problem is how to replace a man that contributed 31 league goals and constituted the heartbeat of a team.

The partnership of Suarez and Sturridge yielded 52 league goals last term; getting anywhere close to that having lost the best player in the Premier League, looks to be a thankless task.

To date, only Rickie Lambert has been enlisted to fill the breach. With all due respect to the England striker, he will not maintain the impetus of Liverpool's departed number seven.

If Rodgers has designs on going one better this season, his dealings before the transfer window closes at the end of the month will be a decisive factor.

On The Road Again

The absence of European football was widely acknowledged as a key contributing factor in Liverpool's form last season. With their second place comes a return to the Champions League.

Vital in attracting star names - and in financial terms - participation in Europe's premier competition will also be the ultimate test of squad depth.

How they perform on the back of their six group-phase fixtures will dictate whether or not Liverpool can be classed as genuine challengers going into the New Year.

The fixture computer has been relatively kind, with home games against West Brom, Hull and Stoke follow three of the six European games.

The difficulty presents itself in trips to Upton Park, Old Trafford and the visit of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea to Anfield in the wake of key European nights.

Big Battles

Taking points from the sides around them is a 'must improve' for Liverpool. Against the other top four teams last season, the Reds returned just six points - losing four of the six games.

The crucial result was of course the defeat to Chelsea that handed the initiative back to a seemingly stricken Man City. Games against the Big Guns will likely determine Liverpool's place in the pecking order this term.

In their opening ten games, Liverpool face only City from last season's top four, as well as rivals Man Utd.

That could allow them to place themselves nicely leading into the key winter phase, that begins in earnest with the visit of Chelsea in early November.

Festive Spirit

Liverpool lost three of seven games in December 2013. Defeat to Hull early in the month was compounded by back-to-back losses to Man City and Chelsea between Christmas and New Year.

Once more, they have been handed a couple of Christmas Crackers. A visit to Old Trafford and a home game against Arsenal will determine their position when the presents are opened.

Visits to promoted Leicester and Burnley, alongside home tussles with Sunderland and Swansea, will have Rodgers hoping his side can enjoy some festive cheer.

The clashes against Van Gaal and Wenger will leave the defining mark on their half-term report card when the bells ring in 2015.

Home Improvements

The Liverpool boss has shown a pleasing trait for improving the fortunes of British talent at his disposal, with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Sturridge flourishing under the Irishman.

The acquisition of Adam Lallana looks a promising signing given his success at Southampton.The 26-year-old will fit into Liverpool's style of play and can help accommodate skipper Steven Gerrard's deeper role.

With Suarez gone, Philippe Coutinho must now begin to deliver more consistently on the potential he has shown.

Recruitment Drive

Just how much does Rodgers have left in his summer kitty?

With Lallana, Lambert and Dejen Lovren from Southampton have come midfielder Emre Can from Leverkusen and winger Lazar Markovic from Benfica, while striker Divock Origi was signed but loaned to Lille for a year.

In total, almost 90m has been spent - largely offset by the sale of Suarez to Barcelona for 75m.

It is safe to assume Rodgers has some dry powder remaining.

With a pair of 20-year-olds with no Premier League experience and veteran striker Lambert among his recruits, the Liverpool boss will be working hard to attract the game changers needed for the big moments.

The Verdict

The overwhelming feeling is that Suarez's absence will be a telling factor in the coming months. Alongside Messi and Ronaldo, the departed striker is firmly deserving of his place as one of the world's elite.

Regardless of anything else, Anfield will be much less illuminated without the controversial genius.

Balancing Champions League against the constant demands of the Premier League is a new challenge for Rodgers. His Reds squad does not currently appear to contain the star quality to suggest they will be at the forefront in the home straight.

In truth, just like a year ago, Liverpool's secret weapon may prove to be the willingness of others to write them off before a ball is kicked.