Football drought nears its end.

It’s been almost three months since the Premier League 2010/11 season came to a halt. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, or in this case a football pundit to tell you that Liverpool were a complete shambles, with their arch nemesis, Manchester United (I’d rather refer to them as Scum United), taking their tally up to 19 domestic league titles.

But let realism prevail. Liverpool was dealt a terrible set of cards. For starters, Hicks & Gillette pretty much did all they could to burn the fortress down, with the debt accumulating to the brink of administration. Not to mention the former KOP favorite ‘El Nino’ getting lured by the Russian Mob in mid season and of course Roy Hodgson’s appointment, replacing Benitez.

These stories have been documented time and time again. Yet, what tends to be overlooked is the undivided support of the fans. Which team can you recall that has an anthem so powerful that it can be heard anywhere the Reds set foot?  That’s Liverpool for you.

The departure of Torres, Hodgson, Hicks and Gillette brought about a sense of optimism and new belief. And who better to revive the glory days of yesteryear's than the man they call King Kenny. Even when Hodgson was around, you could sense Dalglish’s aura reflecting on the fans and players alike, even though his involvement remained strictly administrative.

Fortunately, the 50 million pounds earned from the sale of Torres, was reinvested almost immediately, bringing in the likes of Suarez and Carroll. Not a bad deal when you come to think of it, considering both are in their early twenties, and are starved for silverware. Some glimpses of Suarez in the second half of last season made him an instant KOP idol. Whereas Carroll, being plagued with injuries could not justify his 35 million pound price tag.

Finishing sixth at the end of the season, when they were flirting with the relegation zone mid season is an achievement on its own.

Close of season has its own excitement. Transfer gossips, rumors and a bold stance on the recruitment policy by the Liverpool hierarchy simply made the wait worthwhile. Recruiting young English talent not only is a calculated move, it can possibly become quite lucrative off the pitch with sponsorships and what not.

Bringing in Jordon Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing is most definitely shrewd business.  Henderson has the ability to play either on the right flank or in the centre of the park, having been dubbed the new Stevie G. He’s young, talented, versatile and above all, hungry for success. Charlie Adam has been brought in to fill the void Alonso left some years back. With his ability to make cross field passes at pinpoint accuracy, not to mention his superb technique with the dead ball, and a price tag which seems like pocket change compared to what he brings in, is good business to say the least. Lastly, Stewart Downing is one of those characters who seemed like a missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle. With his ability to run down the left flank and drill in crosses time and time again, not to mention his ability to switch flanks at a blink of an eye, makes him one of the players to look out for in the upcoming season. His pairing with Carroll will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with.

Considering the transfer window still has twenty days to go, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new left back, a centre back and hopefully a back up striker join the helm, with the likes of Luis Enrique and Scot Dann destined to wear the Red color of Liverpool. The question mark arises when considering the backup striker options – as many names have been mentioned, but ears yearn to hear a concrete signal of intent.

Irrespective of what happens now till the end of the transfer window – there is a sense of optimism floating around Merseyside. Expectations are there, yet the feet remain firmly grounded.

Just a matter of days and then the football drought ends. Highs and lows are part and parcel of the game, yet when it comes to supporting the Reds, you know there’s something special just around the corner. YNWA.