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Where will the “top 6” place in the Premier League this season?

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Liverpool

Major summer signings: Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam

Prediction: 4th

After a horrendous opening six months under Roy Hodgson, Liverpool dramatically turned around their season in the second half under the guide of Kop legend Kenny Dalglish and new owners Fenway Sports Group. The big money signings of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in January showed much promise for the future, and the American owners have continued to inject money into the club over the summer.

Although the Reds paid over the odds for midfield trio Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam, all three will slot well into the Liverpool squad. Downing and Henderson will hopefully add the width that the Anfield outfit have lacked for so many seasons and Charlie Adam will link well with Steven Gerrard and could form a partnership reminiscent of Gerrard’s much missed link up with Xabi Alonso.

Nevertheless, there are still some issues with the back four. Glen Johnson is great going forward but often makes defensive errors, Daniel Agger is injury prone and Jamie Carragher, as fantastic as he is, isn’t getting any younger. Meanwhile, the young full backs such as Martin Kelly, John Flannagan and James Robinson have all looked brilliant but will a lack of experience cost them in big games?

Despite this, the prospects forLiverpool are very bright this season. With Carroll back to full fitness, Suarez in phenomenal form after the Copa America, Gerrard on his way back and those important new signings, I expect a return to the top four for the Reds. It is too soon to hope to challenge Manchester United’s record 19 titles just yet, but I think this will be the best season in a few years on Merseyside.

Manchester City 

Major summer signings: Sergio Aguero, Gael Clichy, Stefan Savic

Prediction: 3rd

Having won their first major trophy in 35 years last season and securing a top three finish too, Man City are on an absolute roll. Their biggest signing, thanks to the millions of their owner Sheikh Mansour, is the phenomenal Sergio Aguero. Aguero is a great addition to the team and hopefully we will see Mancini play the Argentine on the right wing and the criminally underrated Adam Johnson on the left. City have smartly used this summer transfer period to strengthen at the back too with Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic stepping in to strengthen the back four.

Up front Edin Dzeko has started to settle into the Premier League and looks like he will have a great season. Of course, the issue remains of whether Carlos Tevez will remain at the club for much longer. The Blue half of Manchesterwill be praying that he does because City look like a totally different team when the Argentinean powerhouse is on the pitch.

City fans will be hoping that their team will be challenging not just for another top four finish this season, but for the Premier League title. Certainly they will be pushing Chelsea and Man Utd all season but I think the Community Shield match against United showed that there is still work to be done at the club. The squad is fantastic but Roberto Mancini must play them in the right way. Too often he is content to have his players sit deep and this does not play to the strengths of Aguero, Dzeko, Johnson, Tevez, Mario Balotelli or Yaya Toure. If Mancini can play a much more attacking style of play this season then City can certainly challenge for that title. As it is though, I think he will continue to play too defensively and City will land another solid third place finish.

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