Liverpool - end-of-season report
Monday, 02 Jun 2008 19:13
Liverpool - fan's 2007/08 end-of-season report
Good, bad or just the same old, same old? What the fans made of the 2007/08 season.
A decent start, which saw us unbeaten early on, gave way to another disappointing dip and a familiar battle for fourth place rather than silverware in the Premier League.
Expectations ran high this year after the arrival of Senor Torres and, while he has been superb, we are still a few players and a few key victories short of success.
The Champions League run was a welcome respite and the team again showed their European pedigree but the boardroom bust-ups have soured the season as a whole, particularly with no clear end in sight as the new season approaches.
Grade: B
High Point
The high point of the season was undoubtedly the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final with a much-vaunted Arsenal team.
After Emmanuel Adebayor had struck to level it late on and give the Gunners an away-goal advantage, it looked ominous. But Captain Marvel was cold as ice in smashing the penalty home which took us into the semis in an incredible game.
Low Point
The exit at the hands of Barnsley in the FA Cup was embarrassing, but arguably the infighting off the pitch has been more damaging.
Revelations that the board had been in contact with Jurgen Klinsmann and the blasé manner in which the owners decided to reveal this to the press suggested that messrs Gillett and Hicks were not in tune with the Anfield faithful, or each other.
The manager
Rafa remains a legend on Merseyside for the European adventures he conjures up almost every season and has firmly established his tactical mastery. However, every season – and every title Man Utd win to catch up on our record haul – ratchets up the pressure to win the league after our long drought. Hamstrung by the board-room bust ups, Benitez needs unstinting support and additional funds to deliver, particularly as the top clubs strengthen every year and the title becomes ever harder to win. His future, like that of the club, remains uncertain – but his heart is clearly with Liverpool and he has the backing of the fans, particularly after a run-in which saw us finish strongly with a settled first XI.
Fan's Player of the Year
- Fernando Torres -
An awesome debut season in the Premier League and the arrival of the first 20-goal plus striker since Robbie Fowler.
Nor is it just about figures – Torres has shown electric pace, sublime finishing and the ability to beat defenders whether on the run or from a standing start. Added to that has been bravery and tenacity, standing up to attempts to kick him off the park and proving a useful target in the air.
Needs for Next Season
The key to next season is holding on to the big players and finding more like them.
Easier said than done when we have shelled out £26 million on one player, but the first XI could do with one or two more match-winners, other than Gerrard and Torres.
A right winger who can inject some pace and creativity into the team and another top-calibre striker would be welcome – David Bentley would be a good signing while Gareth Barry looks good alongside Gerrard in the national team when he plays.
Nathaniel Bertram