Unfamiliar Territory

Quick. Take a glance at the top of the Premier League table. Yes, you saw that correctly - it reads "Liverpool". While it is still early, Liverpool is off to a great start in their quest to capture their 19th Premier League title, and to end their 18 year drought.

The last two results, 1-0 at Sunderland, and 2-1 home against Middlesbrough, have left much to be desired. Both matches were victories snatched out of thin air, 80 minutes of poor, uninspired play giving way to moments of sheer luck and brilliance to end the day with 3 points in the bag.

It is clear that Liverpool is lacking threatening wide men, as every attack goes through the middle. Perhaps Barry would resolve this issue considering his versatility, but at this point I think Liverpool fans would be satisfied with the signing of a player like Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing.

However, it isn't all doom and gloom at Anfield. The return of three key players from the Olympics (Babel, Lucas, and Mascherano) is sure to bolster their at times weak midfield play, and with an attack minded fullback like Dossena bombing down the touchline, Mascherano's destructive presence in the defensive midfield would be a welcome addition, freeing Dossena up to be even more aggressive going forward providing width.

The mark of a champion is the ability to pull out a win even when you are not at the top of your game, and thus far Liverpool has passed that test with flying colors. Of course, we are yet to see just how good Liverpool's best can be, as the Keane + Torres partnership is still working out some chemistry issues and the lack of any true wide threats cripples the Liverpool attack. In the coming days, look for Liverpool's board to pony up the cash and provide the funds for a left footed midfielder to move to Anfield (Barry and Downing are both still in the mix, as Riera has been labelled as too pricy). Could this be the year that Liverpool finally gets it done? With Man U and Arsenal seemingly struggling, the mantle is there for the taking. I expect this season to be a two horse race between Chelsea and Liverpool, with Liverpool making a push near the end as Chelsea shifts its focus to Abramovic's coveted European Championship.

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Footballs

So, football season is about to kick off. The world breathlessly awaits as we wait to see whether or not the superstars of last season can return to their world-beating form, and to see which newcomers will step up and make the jump from obscurity to A-list celebrity.

Of course, what I am referring to is the English Premier League! Not to say I am not eagerly anticipating the beginning of the NFL season (I am, but I am way more excited for College Football), but as a fan of the beautiful game, I cannot help but be psyched for the new season of the EPL, not with so many intriguing stories abound.

For all of you who haven't been paying attention (I would guess that's all of you), the offseason for soccer really wasn't an offseason, as Euro 2008 took center stage. However, a few stories have certainly dominated the headlines. Here is a quick rundown:

Liverpool, with 18 Premier League titles, leads Manchester United by only one title in their claim as being the greatest English club in history. Their last title came in 1990, 18 years ago. The risk of losing their status atop English football is simply unbearable for Liverpool's fans, and the possibility that Manchester United could tie them is leading many Liverpudlians to claim that this is their year. With the offseason addition of Irish international and former Tottanham captain Robbie Keane, Liverpool sends out a strike force as fearsome as any in all of Europe - could this be the year their wait comes to an end?

Chelsea has fully moved on from the Jose Mourinho era. After a season in limbo under the unwanted and unloved Avram Grant, the Blues appointed former Brazil and Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari to the helm, in an effort to instill the flowing, attack-minded football owner Roman Abramovic prefers. With the offseason addition of midfield magician Deco, and the retention of the mercurial Didier Drogba, could this be the season that Chelsea can finally hoist the European Championship for the first time?

Arsenal continues to sell their established players, and bring in unproven youngsters to take their turn in the Arsene Wenger factory of football superstars. New faces Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri hope to offset the undoubtedly damaging losses of Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini. Former Chelsea coach and current Inter man Jose Mourinho has ruled them out of the title hunt, but every season people write the Gunners off as being too young, Arsene Wenger is able to pull another rabbit out of the hat. Will Arsenal prove their resilience yet again, and show that last season's run at the title was not a fluke?

The story of the summer had been Cristiano Ronaldo's purported switch from Man U to Real Madrid. That noise has since died, as Ronaldo, Madrid, and Manchester United have all confirmed that the player will be staying at Manchester for at least one more season. The failed attempt at signing Tottenham want-away Dimi Berbatov has not dampened manager Alex Ferguson's outlook on the season, but with both Chelsea and Liverpool improving, and the ever dangerous Arsenal adding fresh new faces to the mix, will Manchester United be able to hold on to their spot atop the footballing world as Premier League and European Champions?

With so many story lines just among the big 4, the Premier League season, which kicked off on Saturday, is must see TV. Too bad it's only shown live if you have Setanta or special TV programming (satellite), or on replays on FSC.

Cmon American TV, get with the program! Euro 2008 was a massive success for ESPN! There's an audience for good football, so get with it!

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Headlinin': Sawker

• After tearin' up their hearts all summer, Adebayoor finally puts pen to paper, sticking with Arsenal until 2013 (or until he wants to leave again...next summer). FC Barcelona misses out on its target to replace Samuel Eto'o, who has yet to agree to personal terms with any of the big clubs after his signature.
  

• The on again off again Cristiano Ronaldo/Real Madrid/Manchester United love triangle is BACK BABY! To the dismay of Mancs worldwide, Ronaldo has made his opinion awfully clear.
  

• Chelsea boringly continues to pursue Robinho while denying any rumors of Drogba leaving the North London outfit.

• Liverpool, despite Aston Villa claiming the deadline for a renewed Gareth Barry offer had passed, continue to pursue the England international.
  

• Real Madrid's pursuit of Holland starlet Rafael Van der Vaart (possibly a substitute for their stalling progress on the C. Ronaldo front) gains steam, against the wishes of Hamburg (and ex-Tottenham) manager Martin Jol.
  

• Valencia hope to keep Spanish stars of Euro 2008 David Silva and David Villa, as rumors of their imminent departure swirl.

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Headlining: Futbol

• After his public pursuit of Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, is Rafa Benitez ready to leave Barry out to dry?

• Hotly pursued strikers Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal and Didier Drogba of Chelsea still remain with their teams - but for how long?

• The MLS, rising in popularity and visibility due partly to Beckham's heavily publicized move to the States, will be expanding to 18 teams by 2011.

• Amid not so quiet whispers that South Africa may not be ready to host the World Cup by 2010, ManYoo's manager Alex Ferguson gives his vote of confidence.

• Unwanted Barca striker Samuel Eto'o may be on his way to Barca's La Liga rivals Real Madrid ...but only if they're willing to cough up the dough.

• Chelsea continues its pursuit of Brazil/Real Madrid frontman Robinho.

• Liverpool closes in on signing Tottenham's Robbie Keane for a reported figure of £18million.

• MLS proves it has arrived by showing that it's very best can barely hang on to beat a middle of the road Premier League team in their preseason warmup. This would be like the European all-stars beating the Denver Nuggets during the Nuggets preseason, while the Nuggets play a bunch of NBDL and marginal NBA players for most of the game. Congratulations MLS, you have arrived!

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