Jaimie Kanwar talks to Eugene YS Han about Liverpool's hopes ahead of the new Barclays Premier League season.

What is the best or worst your club can achieve this coming season?

The best Liverpool can achieve this season is actually winning the title! Last season proved that the squad is more than capable of matching Manchester United, and if key players stay fit and the team can stop drawing so many games, the title is definitely a possibility. The worst the club can do is regress in the league; the platform for premiership success was solidified last season and the stage is now set for the team to finally realise its potential.

Who is your key player?

A fully Fernando Torres is arguably the most effective striker in world football. He is invaluable to Liverpool, not only for his goals but also for his tireless defending from the front, a quality he shares with another superb Liverpool striker of the past, Ian Rush.

Who is the unsung hero in your team?

Jose Reina. He is easily the best goalkeeper in the Premiership and one of the best in Europe but he never seems to get the credit he deserves. The likes of Edwin Van Der Sar and Peter Cech seem to get all the press but Reina is far more consistent.

Who is a waste of space?

I wouldn't describe any Liverpool players as a ‘waste of space', but Philip Degen needs to start paying back the salary he's already banked for sitting on the sidelines over the last year, and Ryan Babel really needs to step up this season and make a consistent contribution to the team.

Describe your best moment of last season:

The annihilation of Manchester United at Old Trafford has to be the highlight of last season.

Is your manager the right person for the job?

I think the majority of Liverpool fans believe that Rafael Benitez is the right man for the job. He undoubtedly deserves credit for guiding Liverpool to within four points of the title last season and his management ability is there for all to see. Having said that, my personal view is that Benitez is not the man to bring the title back to Anfield. Last season represented the best chance in 19 years for Liverpool to win the title - United started badly; Chelsea were bedding-in a new manager and then suffered the upheaval of a mid-season managerial change, and Arsenal were never serious title challengers. Despite racing into a seven- point lead a one stage, Benitez still decided to start a needless public spat with Sir Alex Ferguson, which in my view, diluted the team's focus and derailed Liverpool's title challenge. Additionally, for the second season in a row, Benitez has not significantly improved the squad, something that is essential if Liverpool are to consistently challenge for the title.

Which area do you think your team needs strengthening?

The creative side of the team has needed strengthening ever since Benitez arrived, and five years later, genuine flair is still missing in the squad. 24 league draws in two seasons is testament to the fact that Liverpool need more players who can consistently unlock defences.

Young player to look out for?

The much-maligned Lucas Leiva. With Xabi Alonso gone and Alberto Aquilani injured for at least two more months, Lucas will probably get a chance to play in his favoured position, and I am sure he will do well and prove his doubters wrong.

Where will your club finish this season?

If I'm honest, I think Liverpool will finish either second or third. Even with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United are still a considerable force with vast experience of winning the league. Unfortunately, I just don't believe the Liverpool squad is strong enough to overhaul United over the course of a season. Having said that, no team has won the Premiership 4 times in a row, so statistically speaking, it could be Liverpool's year!

How long have you supported Liverpool?

I have been a Liverpool supporter for 25 years now.

Name your all-time favourite player at the club?

John Barnes is my favourite ever Liverpool player and is - in my view - the most exciting, skilful player ever to grace Anfield. As part of the Liverpool dream team of 1987-1991, Barnsey's' skill and creativity were simply out of this world. And even when he moved into a central midfield role in the Roy Evans era, he was still wonderful to watch. Liverpool have never properly replaced Barnes, and they probably never will.

Which three teams will be relegated this season?

Wolves, Burnley, and with any luck, Everton!

* Jaimie Kanwar is the editor of www.liverpool-kop.com

What do you think? Send your comments to streettalk@espnstar.com or hanys@espnstar.com

Comments:

From Yap You Wai:

Many people like to run down Liverpool. Going forward, the critics are saying 'pool hit top gear last season yet could only finish second. If it's not 'pool and Man U not likely to win 4 in row, then it should be Chelsea's title, right?

In my opinion, many overlook the fact that Arsenal played really well near the end of last season. Arsenal might have lost Adebayor and Toure but the rest of the youngsters who remain at the club are maturing. Van Persie could score goals when fit. And this coming season, Arsenal have Arshavin right from the start. And if experience players like Rosicky could shake off injury, Arsenal will still be up there contending for the title.

With Essien, Drogba, Terry and Lampard, Chelsea really look strong. But if some of the African players got injured mid-season, their previous problem could return to trouble them. Chelsea is title contender but they ain't a sure bet.

I think Man City could start well when the hype of some very good players e.g. Tevez, Robinho et al are there jostling for starting places. But I'm not sure what will happen when the cold damn winter season arrives on the British Isle; wonder if the likes of Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz could still be gung-ho? Mark Hughes is rightly marked as the manager likely be sacked during the course of the coming season.

Xabi Alonso was so low profile yet he was one of the very few great performers of the 'pool team in the past few years. At least Mash is still around and hopefully Lucas steps up to do his stuffs for the team. The 'pool squad is more or less the same and if injury woes plague the other clubs more than 'pool, 'pool will be up there challenging for the title.

Lastly, Kuyt scored against England so he is still a capable goal scorer for 'pool when required to play in a more central (fwd) role.