Kenny Dalglish has labelled Liverpool’s 2011/2012 campaign a success after the Reds saw off Chelsea 4-1 in their last home game of the season.
In his post-match interview he described the Anfield faithful as “the smartest supporters in the country”, suggesting performances rather than results were what the Kop crowd were happy to see.
Against a fatigued Chelsea side, Liverpool were in control and produced some fantastic periods of play. There was indeed a cause for celebration as players like Carroll, Henderson and Downing finally proved they are capable of displays that matched their inflated pricetags.
However, this romp was three days to late. The two teams met in the FA Cup final on Saturday, which Chelsea won 2-1. John Terry was unusually poor in the middle of Chelsea’s defense and Ross Turnbull, getting a rare start, had a shocker in goals to help the Reds’ cause.
It was a rare night at Anfield, as Liverpool’s results at home this season have been the worst since 1954, when they were last relegated.
Dalglish was quick to point out their Carling cup success, an FA Cup final appearance, and qualification for next year’s Europa League. There has also been constant referral to the newly assembled squad, an expensive one at that, needing a “bedding in period”.
King Kenny is right that some of the Reds’ performances this season have been breathtaking. They have hit the woodwork more than any other team in EPL history, and were also without talisman Luis Suarez for eight weeks after his suspension for racially abusing Patrice Evra.
But would the fans really be happy to be below Merseyside rivals Everton and equal on points with London stragglers Fulham with one game to go? And had it been anyone else in charge rather than Kop hero Dalglish, would he still be in a job?
Director of Football Damian Comolli was sacked in April after signings on his recommendation didn’t quite live up to the hype. But is he ultimately the one to blame?
Liverpool is still a massive club and need to reinvest heavily to have any chance of clawing their way back into the fold of challenging for the league and playing Champions League football.
While their performances haven’t always been below par, they have lacked the quality to get a result in too many games. As the Manchester clubs at the top will attest too, it’s more important to win ugly then lose in style.
Dalglish will probably be given the funds to bring in more players. If the Reds’ home form doesn’t improve early next season, his second homecoming may turn out to be an expensive mistake.
Seb Kemmerer
Roar Rookie
The performances have been superb at time this year and LIverpool have just lacked the luck and cutting edge that is needed to be up the top. However, Manchester City wasn't built in one year either. It takes time, especially after how woeful they were under Hodgson and some of the signings he made. If a few goals went in early this season at Anfield, it would have been a totally different story and they definitely deserved more than just a few goals with their performances. Watch Liverpool blossom next year and push right up the EPL table.
EddieDicker
Roar Rookie
The players they have are not good enough for touch and pass football. It seems the gameplan has been to try and feed Suarez early and hope for some magic. If all else fails, put high balls into the box and hope Carrol can get on the end of it. The distribution has not been good enough for either. You do wonder how many of this current squad would be a target for Europes other big clubs. Suarez has the talent to play for a Barca or Madrid, but would they take a risk on such a controversial figure? If Kenny was to be shown the door, there is a lack of managerial talent on offer who could replace him. Brendan Rodgers at Swansea is earning high praises and has the swans playing a style compared to the possesiion play of Barcelona. They brought Kenny back, could they bring Rafa back??
EddieDicker
Roar Rookie
Lucas was a massive loss. His consistency and ability to win the ball back in midfield was sorely missed. There is speculation that Liverpool are in the market for Fulhams Clint Dempsey for next season. While he is a decent player, a club the size of Liverpool should really be aiming higher. Hazard and Cavani are on the wanted list for most of Europe's big clubs, so if the reds could pull off either it would be a huge signal of intent. A top four finish next year would be a remarkable effort, but should be the minimum rerquirement for the Anfield giants.
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
Dalglish thinks hes still with Blackburn back in the mid 90's when average British players such as Jason Wilcox and Stuart Ripley did a job for him. The standard back then was poor enough, English teams performed badly in Europe. It was a mistake letting a creative player like Meireles go as he was performing well. I think thats been their biggest downfall, lacking the creativity and dominance in midfield.
10fps
Guest
King style of touch and pass football is not bad, but the troops he brought in are no way near Liverpool quality. Kenny loves British players, which is fine with me, but at least pick the right ones, at the right price. Majority of good Liverpool players are from Rafa squad, and he should thank Benitez that those players are here to keep Liverpool in top 10. Kenny is simply an idiot, in acquiring players using obscene amount of spending on Henderson, Adams, Downings, and Carrol, clearly shows his anti-foreign approach. How can Andy cost more than Suarez. How can those English midfields carry price tags larger than Rafa's players like Alonso, Maschero, Lucas, Aqualiani, Luis Garcia, Morientes, Kuyt Torress, Sissoko, Johnson, Babel, Benny and Maxi. Even a old Fowler or Peter Crouch are way better and more reasonable in pricing. Rafa may be ice-cold but he made the Reds, a force to reckon in Europe. Look at what Kenny has done, Liverpool is a team to laugh at, forget about Europe. Benitez may be ice-cold, but he has made way more effort to improve the club, and most players benefit from him. Look at those players now, they are popular and their values went up. Guys like Alonso, Mash, Torres, Benny are pretty good examples as they set new standards. Can you say the same to Kenny's newest reinforcements, besides the pay cheques week in week out for them, which represent the new standards for the club, the type of standards they set on the pitch are so awful, even an idiot can tell. You don't pay premium to lower your standard, Kenny, you pay because you want to elevate it.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
A fair question Eddie. But to answer it, I think Dalglish is not satisfied with Liverpool mediocrity. Seventh place is not excusable for a club that has the resources of Liverpool that may finish equal with Fulham and below the likes of Everton and Newcastle. However, if we are going to truly analyse the season for Liverpool, we have to ask ourselves what the realistic goals were for this season, given the outlay from Fenway Sports Group. As a Liverpool fan, I can truly say the following two things: 1) A top four finish in the Premier League, thus securing qualification for next season's Champions League. 2) A win in one of the domestic cups, so that Liverpool would have silverware for the first time in six years. Needless to say, number one has been a dismal failure. Not only have we been smashed to ribbons by the likes of the Manchester clubs, but we failed to take advantage of a slow Arsenal start and a blipping Chelsea under Villas-Boas, failed to go back past the ever-improving Tottenham, and allowed the surprise packet Newcastle to just speed past us. Combined with potentially Everton and Fulham ending up above us in the league, we have really been awful in the league. Reasons? A new squad does take time to bed in, but that is not the only explanation. The whole Luis Suarez/Patrice Evra affair was mishandled to the extreme. Andy Carroll started poorly, and his improvement, while notable, has come too late. The club lacked a real dynamic midfield presence that could push the team to victory, which Steven Gerrard is no longer capable of doing on his own as often. Pepe Reina has had his poorest season between the sticks for the club, and our wide play deficiencies has still not been addressed, despite the additions of Stewart Downing and Craig Bellamy. However, the turning point I think for us was the season-ending injury to Lucas in the Carling Cup win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Since then, our defensive spine has been broken, with no one from Gerrard, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Jay Spearing been able to do such a job. It is breathtaking to think just how important Lucas has become to our team. This season proves that. On point number two, the season has been a success. A win in the Carling Cup, and a loss in the final of the FA Cup. That is silverware, which should have been two trophies, but at least it put us back on the winners list this season. As for next season? I honestly think all Liverpool needs is a good wide man and a goal poacher. I would love to see us go after the likes of Eden Hazard at Lille, and Edinson Cavani at Napoli. If Kenny (who I think will remain as manager) goes after British talent, then I would like him to make a play for Grant Holt from Norwich. Next season's goals? Only one. Top four finish.