Steve McManaman: Liverpool will never have a better chance to win the title
Published 00:00 07/08/08 By By Martin Lipton, Chief Football Writer
Steve McManaman claimed last night that Liverpool finally have what it takes to end their title drought as he told Rafa Benitez' men: "You'll never have a better chance."
A teenage McManaman was a rookie member of Kenny Dalglish's squad when the Anfield outfit were last kings of England back in 1990.
For nearly two decades, the Kop has been forced to watch on impotently as Manchester United have taken an iron grip on domestic domination, with Liverpool's bids for the crown fading away.
But with Benitez having captured Robbie Keane to form a "mouthwatering" front duo with Fernando Torres, Gareth Barry set to join plus other summer acquisitions to give the squad strength in depth, McManaman believes this could be the year the Spaniard takes his place alongside Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley in the pantheon of Anfield managerial greats.
He said: "Liverpool have the best chance they've had in a long time.
"The introduction of Robbie Keane makes them stronger instantly, but for the first time they've got a nice balance.
"They've certainly got a huge amount of quality players. They've lost Crouchy but have brought in Robbie, Torres is a superstar and he's got Daniel Agger back from injury, plus a couple of players in from Italy, who have experience and will add strength to the defence.
"Plus the fact that Steven Gerrard will probably slip back into the centre of midfield where he wants to play, while they've got Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso already and are looking to bring in Barry, so they will be packed with quality.
"Liverpool will be a lot closer this time. They were 21 points adrift two years ago, 11 points last year. This is their most realistic chance. They were strong at home and I expect them to do a lot better and get closer and challenge."
McManaman (right), speaking at the launch of Setanta Sports programming line-up for the new season, accepts that the Reds cannot afford the nightmare spells in October and November that have cost them dear in recent campaigns.
The former England winger added: "They have to make sure they do not throw their chances away by October or November again.
"Last season it was even more frustrating because they had a great start, and then lost their way.
"Rafa is aware how important the title is and I think he will pick a more consistent team this time."
Click to watch Mirror.co.uk's exclusive video interview with Steve McManaman
Setanta Sports today marked the launch of their biggest season yet - the Community Shield, 46 Barclays Premier League games, England v Czech Republic (Aug 20) and England's away World Cup 2010 qualifiers will all be shown exclusively live.
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