How Liverpool can win the League

Liverpool are a team on the up. Last season they were closer than ever to knocking Manchester United off the top spot, and with a tiny bit more fine-tuning, they can certainly become champions of England next season. Here are a few of my tips for Liverpool to win the league:

1) Keep Torres fit. If Liverpool's main hit man can stay fit throughout a season he can score 25-30 goals easily, as he showed in his maiden season at Anfield. Last season Liverpool missed Torres through a series of hamstring injuries, and had they have had his firepower up front, then I'm certain they would have been the ones lifting the trophy.

2) Keep Gerrard fit. As important, if not more, as Torres - Gerrard holds the key to Liverpool's attacking intent. Without him, Rafa is reluctant to push forward, and generally plays rather cautiously. With Gerrard and Torres fully fit and firing, and if Rafa decides to play them in the majority of the games, Liverpool will have a great chance.

3) Get a few more deals done. It has shown in the past that big name players make a difference to Liverpool, but they have to be chosen carefully, and so they fit in with the Liverpool system. Torres brought goals, Alonso brought assists, Mascherano brought some aggression in the middle. Now with the arrival of Glen Johnson, there is more of an attacking threat from the back, but with Xabi Alonso likely to leave, Rafa may need to dive into the transfer market to bring in a passing midfielder. From what we've seen of Lucas Leiva, he doesn't look up to Premier League standards. Liverpool have missed out on Gareth Barry for a second summer running, so get back in the hunt please, Mr. Benitez!

4) Play the best XI. Rafa has been guilty in the past of leaving out his big name players in games that Liverpool should have won, and have ultimately gone on to lose or draw. It is essential that to win the League, Rafa sticks to his best XI game in game out. Take Sir Alex for example. He very rarely changes the spine of his team, unless absolutely necessary. Benitez should take a lesson or two from the League's most consistent team, and current champions.

5) Win the games against the 'big 3'. Last season Liverpool had a fantastic record against Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. In fact, they topped the leader board for matches between the teams, and it is important that that carries on into next season. Dropping points against those teams isn't acceptable, especially if you're dropping points at home to teams like Stoke. Win the big games, and win the League.

6) Win your home games. Anfield needs to become a fortress, and it is doubtless that the fans will get behind their team. Last season, far too many points were dropped at home against sides that should have been beaten. Good performances and results at home takes the pressure off the away matches, and therefore the team will win away as well.

7) American owners, stay out. As long as Rafa is left to do what he does best, there shouldn't be any problems. However, we've seen it at Chelsea, we've seen it at Newcastle, and we don't want to see it at Liverpool - the owners sticking their noses into the managers business, and effectively telling them what to do. Rafa knows what he's doing. So leave him to it.