Liverpool Premier League 2014/15 Prediction: Daniel Sturridge Critical to Top Four Challenge

Last season

Premier League: 2nd

FA Cup: Fifth round

League Cup: Third round

Top scorer: Luis Suarez (31)

Summer's work

Liverpool's patience with Luis Suarez finally wore thin as following the Uruguay international's biting offence - the third time it has happened - during the World Cup, the club agreed to sell their top scorer to Barcelona.

The remainder of the summer has involved signing a replacement. Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana have joined from Southampton, while Lazar Markovic is an exciting recruit from Benfica.

A defence that ultimately cost the Reds a first league title in 24 years has been reinforced by Dejan Lovren, Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno, who is finalising his move. Local lad Martin Kelly has meanwhile joined Crystal Palace and Pepe Reina has moved to Bayern Munich.

Manager – Brendan Rodgers

After a free pass during his first campaign and a shock run at the Premier League title last term, Rodgers faces the toughest task of his career in staging a rebuild at Anfield without Suarez.

He got away with some uncertain additions last summer but his transfer success will be fully exposed this season following a summer where many of his signings have divided opinion.

Rodgers faces the added pressure of managing his squad amid the club's return to the Champions League and will be expected to treat competitions on the continent and at home with equal devotion.

Key player – Daniel Sturridge

He formed one half of the most destructive forward partnerships in world football last season but the striker will now spearhead Liverpool's top-four charge single-handedly.

Sturridge scored 24 goals last term even alongside Suarez and amid several hamstring concerns but will be required to increase that tally as the club's chief attacking threat.

With a plethora of creative players behind him, including Brazilian Philippe Coutinho and new signings Lallana and Markovic, Sturridge will have no shortage of chances, meaning his finishing will be acutely scrutinised. He faces a season that could see him defined as a Liverpool great.

Expectations

Though every effort has been made to mask over the departure of Suarez, suggestions that Liverpool can match last season's title pursuit have been few and far between.

With the added burden of the Champions League - with Rodgers and many other players making their debut in the competition - the Reds should focus on making themselves a regular in the top four. That, in itself, will represent progress.

Prediction – 4th

Should have enough to cling on to a Champions League place. Just.