2005/06 Cup Progress UEFA Super Cup vs CSKA Moscow - won 3-1 after extra time. FIFA World Club Championship Final vs Sao Paulo - lost 1-0. Champions League Last 16 vs Benfica - lost 3-0 on aggregate. FA Cup Final vs West Ham United (n) - won 3-1 on penalties with the score at 3-3 after extra time. Carling Cup Third Round vs Crystal Palace (a) - lost 2-1.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Steven Gerrard (midfield) - 23 goals.
Players In Jermaine Pennant (Birmingham City - ?6,700,000), Craig Bellamy (Blackburn Rovers - ?6,000,000), Gabriel Paletta (Banfield - ?2,000,000), Fabiano Aurelio (Valencia - Free).
Players Out Dietmar Hamann (Manchester City - ?400,000), Bruno Cheyrou (Rennes - Undisclosed), Carl Medjani (Lorient - Undisclosed), David Raven (Carlisle United - Free), Ramon Calliste (Scunthorpe United - Free), Conal Platt (Bournemouth - Free), Zak Whitbread (Millwall - Free), Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic - Loan), Djibril Cisse (Marseille - Loan).
Liverpool endured a long 2005/06 campaign which began with them defending their Champions League crown against Welsh minnows TNS in mid July, saw them travel to Japan to participate in the World Club Championships a week before Christmas and ended with them winning the FA Cup in May.
This season won't be anywhere near as arduous but manager Rafael Benitez has added reinforcements after last season's mammoth campaign which saw the Reds involved in 63 matches.
Benitez signed the Premiership's form player of last season in Blackburn Rovers striker Craig Bellamy. Liverpool triggered a clause in the Welsh international's contract, allowing them to speak to him should they offer ?6 million. After a difficult spell at Newcastle United, Bellamy flourished at Ewood Park last season and scored 17 goals in 26 appearances last season.
Benitez has signed another of football's "bad boys" in Birmingham City winger Jermaine Pennant. The 23 year old signed a four year deal and the transfer fee could increase up to ?8 million from the initial down payment of ?6.7 million. In 2005 he became the first Premeirship footballer to play while wearing an electronic tag.
Other arrivals include Brazilian left-back Fabio Aurelio who signed on a free transfer from Valencia while central defender Gabriel Paletta joined for ?2 million from Argentine side Atletico Banfield. Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez is eligible to play after being granted a work permit a year after joining the Reds.
Verdict Liverpool could go one better than their third place finish last season and look a solid bet to win the Premiership "without Chelsea" at 9/4 odds.
2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Sixth Round vs West Ham United (h) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup Second Round vs Doncaster Rovers (a) - lost 3-0 on penalties with the score 1-1 after extra time.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Andrew Cole and Darius Vassell (strikers) - 10 goals each.
Players In Joe Hart (Shrewsbury Town - ?600,000), Dietmar Hamann (Liverpool - ?400,000), Bernado Corradi (Valencia - Undisclosed), Paul Dickov (Blackburn Rovers - Free), Ousmane Dabo (Lazio - Free).
Players Out Lee Croft (Norwich City - ?600,000), Willo Flood (Cardiff City - Undisclosed), Bradley Wright-Phillips (Southampton - Nominal), David Sommeil (Sheffield United - Free), Mikkel Bischoff (Coventry City - Free).
Manchester City endured a disappointing season which despite an undefeated start and winning three of their opening five matches, capitulated in them losing nine of their last 10 games and finishing nine points away from relegation.
Manager Stuart Pearce has rung the changes in time for the new campaign and instilled Richard Dunne as the new club captain in place of contract rebel Sylvain Distin. Republic of Ireland international Dunne has made 288 appearances for City following his ?3 million switch from Everton six years ago.
Pearce has opted for Serie A experience this summer with the signings of Bernardo Corradi and Ousmane Dabo. Valencia striker Corradi, formerly of Lazio, spent last season on loan at Parma where he scored 10 goals in 35 league appearances. Dabo is a former French international who turned down a new contract offer from Lazio and signed a three year contract at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Former favourite Paul Dickov returned to the club following his release from Blackburn Rovers. The former Arsenal striker first played for City between August 1996 and February 2002 and scored in the 1998/99 League One play off final which saw City return to the second tier.
Pearce also signed Dietmar Hamann on a free transfer after the player signed a pre-contract agreement to join Bolton Wanderers. Hamann made 283 appearances for Liverpool in seven years at the club before switching to Manchester.
Verdict City need to get off to a good start to banish the dire run of form they encountered at the end of last season. It will be another tough campaign for Stuart Pearce's side but they are unlikely to be involved in a relegation battle. Mid table safety or obscurity, whichever way you look at it.
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