Old Classics: Can Liverpool win the league?

I thought I'd break this old chestnut out because Phil McNulty, who is never right, has tipped Liverpool for the league this year

I believe the smart money is still on Chelsea - and I still think they are the correct choice as favourites, but favourites don't necessarily have to win

As Chelsea showed at the weekend, they are capable of slip-ups, and they are not as complete as they were under Mourinho in my opinion, so it's up to United and Liverpool to keep the pressure up (I'm writing off Arsenal again - it's worked the past five times...)

So anyway, Liverpool - the loss of Alonso would seem to indicate that they are a weaker side, the appearance of a decent right-back doesn't replace his contribution adequately, and Aquilani is still yet to surface, and so I think when it comes to the big four they are unlikely to be able to repeat last year's doubles over United and Chelsea

But last year, despite beating the two top sides quite comprehensively, they still lost, while United won the league despite only beating Chelsea at home, and taking only five points out of a potential eighteen off the other top three, while Liverpool took fourteen

The answer is simple - we all know it, even though they only lost two games all season, Liverpool threw away points in draws - eleven compared to United's six

And these were not just decent draws with Everton at home or Aston Villa away - they were games like Stoke and Hull at home - last year they played Stoke early on, and drew 0-0 - this year they played them in the second week...and won 4-0, just under a year ago they played Hull at home and drew 2-2 - this season they won 6-1

It was commonly said that they lacked a cutting edge that prevented them finishing off visiting teams like Fulham, City and West Ham (whom they all beat away), as well as Stoke and Hull - that's ten points sent packing

Now with a bit more width thanks to Johnson, and a hopefully fully-fit Torres, they should have enough edge to secure those extra two points they kept dropping last year

I suppose the question now is whether they have the quality to beat the top sides again?