For fans of Liverpool, the past few years have not been very kind. I long for the days of old when Fernando Torres was one of the greatest players in the world, teaming up with legends like Steven Gerrard and Louis Suarez (at least they were legends to me!) Those were the good old days -- my golden years as a LFC fan. But the past few years have been very dark, indeed. The loss of Torres to Chelsea really struck a blow to my heart as he was someone I truly looked up to. Then Suarez left for bigger and better things at FC Barcelona, one of the world's best football clubs. And then sadly, our legendary captain retired from Premier League football, taking his talent and leadership to Los Angeles to play for the LA Galaxy in the MLS. These truly are sad times.

But they are also amazing times! There are several reasons to look to the horizon with hope for our club. With that being said, here are a few reasons why I think Liverpool will keep rising in the rankings for the next few years.

1. Sadio Mane

This summer Liverpool signed Sadio Mane from Southampton for 30 million pounds, making his signing the third highest in Liverpool history. But he is well worth the price tag. His play styles and abilities perfectly match those of our current manager, Jurgen Klopp. Mane has the ability to score goals from deep, to make remarkable assists, and he has the pace and work effort that Liverpool need right now. He may be a little older than some players at 24 years of age, but he has been on an upward trend at Southampton, and has performed very well during the summer pre-season games. I think Sadio Mane will bring a lot to the table when it comes to Liverpool's future seasons.

2. Return of Firmino, Coutinho, & Can

Roberto Firmino and Phillipe Coutinho are truly magicians. There's nothing else I need to say on the matter. Let's start with Firmino. With 29 appearances in the season, he scored nine goals, had seven assists, and created 44 chances. Statistically he was the best player for Liverpool this past season, and honestly I can't think of anything to go against that. He still has a long way to go until he is truly great, but he has been consistent and solid for the Reds and we can only hope for more of the same.

Next up is Phillipe Coutinho. This man baffles me sometimes. He has truly earned his nickname, "the Magician." His small stature may hold him back in the air, but his pace, quickness, and mentality while on the ball are truly something special. He also has the "it" factor that can making his really great. There's a good reasons why Barcelona has been linked with him so often in the past. He has often been compared to Andres Iniesta, one of the worlds best midfielders, and there is no reason why he can't reach his level.

Emre Can. Good at offense. Great at defense. That's what Liverpool needs right now. Need I say more?

3. Jurrgen Klopp

This man needs no introduction. He has led countless teams to several trophies and has proven that his style of play is effective in several different leagues throughout Europe. While he does not have the exact team that he would like at the moment, he has shown that he can adapt players into working with his play style. His high energy and positive nature have left a definite mark on this Liverpool fans and players, and I feel that there is nowhere to go for this leader than up.