By J Wade
February 4 2005

Luis Garcia says Liverpool fans have every reason to feel confident about watching their team make a genuine challenge for the Premiership title next season. The Spanish midfielder believes the club would have made a stronger title bid this time around had it not been for a catalogue of injury setbacks, but he believes next season will see the Anfield 'Rafalution' kick into top gear.
 
But Garcia hasn't written off this season completely and insists the Reds are still very much in the hunt for silverware.
 
He said: "If we hadn't been so unlucky with injuries we would be much closer to the top teams this season, so next season it is realistic to be talking about challenging them. We know that next season we can make life very difficult for the rest."
 
"Our aim is to build a great team for the future that can compete with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United."
 
"This season finishing in the top four is fundamental, but we're certainly not going to turn anything else down like the Carling Cup or the Champions League." 
 
"It's two games per round now in the Champions League with one game at home, and we're playing really, really well at home. Once you get to this stage you start believing that you can really achieve something." 
 
"I wouldn't say the draw is easy - we know Bayer Leverkusen is going to be very difficult. We're hopeful because we know we're improving all the time and that gives us the confidence to think 'Why not us?'"
 
Garcia admits he's loving life as a footballer at Anfield and has nothing but respect for the supporters who, he says, are among the best around.
 
He said: "Every game is incredible. Against Olympiacos was one of those atmospheres that football people should experience to discover what real fans are."
 
"The first time I heard You'll Never Walk Alone I was sitting in the stands because I had an injury, and it leaves you with goose bumps. As a player, I try to hurry up in the tunnel, to get us out as soon as possible, because I love to hear the fans sing it out on the pitch. Normally, though, we are in the tunnel when it's playing."