Liverpool needs a strong Start

The Reds were playing catch up all last season
after winning just four of their opening 12 games
and the midfielder says improved pre-season
preparation is key
Lucas Leiva has insisted Liverpool must start the
season strongly if they are to secure a return to
the Champions League
Brendan Rodgers's men finished just two points
adrift of Manchester City when coming runners-up
in the 2013-14 season, but limped to a
disappointing sixth-place finish last term.
A slow start, with just four wins from their opening
12 Premier League matches, saw them playing
catch up all season, eventually finish eight points
off fourth spot as they had to settle for a Europa
League place.
However, Rodgers has brought in six new signings
already this summer, including Roberto Firmino,
James Milner, Danny Ings and Nathaniel Clyne, and
Lucas wants the newly assembled squad to hit the
ground running.
"It's always the same. We would like to challenge
for the top four, we missed [it] last year," Lucas
told the club's official website.
"I think the important thing for us is to start the
season well, we didn't last year, which cost us
probably.
"The second part of the season we played well and
we won a lot of games but the beginning of the
season wasn't good enough. With the new
signings as well, it's always exciting but we just
need to see how the group develops in pre-season
and start on the front foot.
"Our first seven away games are hard and we will
have to start well otherwise by December we won't
be in a good position."