I started this article early on Tuesday, and after watching the match later that day, I have to say that it completely destroyed my argument. Watching those 11 Red Men run rampant around Anfield, terrorizing Chelsea’s defence that only weeks ago held Barcelona…was absolutely incredible. So as we sit at the end of another Premier League season, what can we say about it?
A Cup Final win. A Cup Final Loss. No Champions League Qualification. For me, I’ll call it a successful failure. Here’s why…
New signings over the past 18 months broke the bank and we were introduced to the likes of Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Jose Enrique, and more. And yet…something didn’t fit. Things didn’t click. Playing at Anfield, curiously, resulted in not only draws but a fair amount of losses. Many were quick to point to Kenny’s tactics. Could this Reds legend, a player-manager in his time (unheard of today), be past it? Damien Comolli was sacked, indicating that he bore a large brunt of the blame of the season’s failure. But watching today’s match made me think that we are closer than we might think.
Take Chelsea as an example. AVB was brought in and quickly realized that, in his opinion, the Chelsea team was beyond repair. He was prepared to clear out the old guard and basically call the season a loss. It looked basically like as long as they qualified for the Champions League, that that was going to be okay for everyone at Stamford Bridge. But then they ran into trouble, AVB was sacked, and Roberto Di Matteo was brought in to at least save face until they could hopefully go after the services of Pep Guardiola. But then something happened. Di Matteo let Chelsea, be Chelsea. The core group of players had played together for years and knew each other’s strengths and how to minimize their weaknesses. Now they’ve won the FA Cup and are in the Champions League Final. Is that the solution for Liverpool? Are the vast majority of the signings more quality than we’ve given them credit for (and seen) and they just need time to play together?
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Those who were quick to write off Jamie Carragher after his unfortunate FA Cup semi-final back-pass can look at his brilliant display at Anfield v Chelsea. He’s still got it. Those who wrote off Andy Carroll are now singing his praises after he displayed the spark that his teammates have seen no doubt countless times in training. Daniel Agger is quickly turning into a legend in the backfield. LFC have the quality. Are a couple more signings all that is needed to make the jump back to competing for the Premier League title and re-entering the Champions League?
In the end, this season was not a success. Liverpool FC wins trophies and plays in the Champions League and we only accomplished one of those goals. But the May 8th match against Chelsea proved that there is plenty of passion and quality within the squad. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that just a bit more experience and playing with each other can lead to brighter days ahead.
(P.S. – Congratulations to Jonjo Shelvey for his first LFC goal in the league!)
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It’s been difficult for us fans this season, to see so much spent on players, surely top four was inevitable! but what a let down. Never have i witnessed such a woeful team at Anfield, ALL the summer signings have been disasterous for us, not just on the pitch, but finacially too. Probably will have an effect for a few years, so bargain hunting looks set to begin (again). I recon half the team needs changing, just to get us somewhere near.
M8 how can you say woeful, to be fair Results and points are what we are judged on and i will agree that we have under achieved in both areas. But think back to the actual games this season win lose or draw on how many occassions could you say we were outplayed? I would say bolton & spurs away Fulham @ home maybe man u and man city away, i personally i can’t think of many others. Yes we spend money of new blood (60 mil in the summer) utd spend between 30-40 million every season and they have been winning things. same with chelsea and not to mentioned man city who must be getting close to 1 billion pounds on players since the shaik took over.(they have yet to win the title)we obviously can’t match there spending power and the attraction of top european players due to the lack champions league football @ anfield does limit the players who would come at the moment. And for all these big spender head to head were more the match for most. Add being more clinical in front goal we probaly would have beat most of them at anfield. so my fellow liverpool fans have faith this season was hard but as our famous song says ‘when you walk through a storm hold your head up high’ roll on next season YNWA in Kenny we Trust
I am looking forward to the transfer window. Winger, striker is all we truly need. Lucas will be back, play jonjo regularly and we will be back in Europe and will challenge for the EPL title….
AC is one of the reasons why Lfc is where it is. 8th in the league. He’s had 18 months to show us if he’s good player or not and for me he’s failed to do that. Watching EL final the other night Falcao went there 7months ago and scored 35 goals and was bought for around the same amount of money. If things stay as they r there is no hope at all.