Twelve months ago, only the most ardent Liverpool fans would have thought that their club would still be in the hunt for that elusive league title on the final day of the 2013-14 season.
As it turned out, another Premier League season has come and gone and once again the Reds of Merseyside have failed to finish first past the post, with cashed-up Manchester City taking out their second title in three years.
Over the past few days I have seen and heard many a pundit, fan and even Liverpool’s highly praised manager, Brendan Rodgers, claim that running such a team so close is a great achievement and one that the Reds can be proud of.
This is very true, however, many people are already touting Liverpool to do the same, if not go one step further, next season.
A measly two points was all that separated the sides in what many have said to be one of the most exciting Premier League seasons in recent history. City’s squad is the most expensive one to be assembled in the history of football, with the club having spent over 640 million pounds on transfer fees since 2008.
On paper this seems a commendable effort but it’s hard to give Liverpool too much credit. It must be remembered that they had one hand on the title with three matches to go before spectacularly throwing it away in a haze of slapstick defending, mental fragility and tactical naivety.
All of this after they came from fifth place, following a spectacular 16-game unbeaten streak stretching from New Year’s Day to late April.
For me, this begs the question: are Liverpool really back or did they blow their big chance this year? I am personally inclined to go with the latter. This may seem rather harsh but here are some points of discussion.
This season saw last year’s champions and perennial challengers, Manchester United, endure their worst league season in 24 years. Eventual champions Manchester City suffered from horrendous away form during the first half of the season, Chelsea never quite got going under new manager Jose Mourinho and Arsenal performed their usual disappearing act just as the season approached ‘squeaky-bum time’.
It seemed the planets had aligned for Liverpool to finally break their duck in the Premier League era. They were playing enterprising attacking football that seemed nigh on unstoppable. They had no major injuries and were exempt from European duties having failed to qualify the season before.
So what went wrong?
Personally, Rodger’s insistence on playing ‘his’ way is both admirable and naïve. Deciding to go out and attack Chelsea on that fateful day at Anfield, despite possessing the knowledge that the Blues would sit back, proved to be pivotal.
Jose Mourinho totally outclassed Rodgers on that occasion which shows that the Northern Irishman still has a way to go before he can be ranked among the best in the business. This was further highlighted by his inability to see the growing threat of Crystal Palace a week later, opting to bring on a player further up the park rather than shoring up an under-fire defence.
Ah, Liverpool’s defence. Their free scoring ways often led the world to overlook the fact that the Reds shipped goals like they were going out of fashion. It was 50 goals conceded in 38 games, which left them with only the 11th best defensive record in the league.
You simply cannot concede that many goals and expect to win a championship and that has to be addressed next season.
What makes the fixing the defensive aspect all the more valuable is that it’s hard to imagine Liverpool having such an incredible run of fitness and form in the front third ever again.
Luis Suarez missed the first five matches due to suspension and then played in every one of the remaining 33 games. Daniel Sturridge had the standout season of his career so far having only ever been a promising talent before.
Raheem Stirling was a revelation out-wide and is being touted as England’s next big thing. Can all of these guys reproduce the same form next season?
They’ll need to because extra matches in Europe will heap stress on a paper-thin squad that needs investment in a number of areas – they’ll need strengthening at the back and some back-up forwards of genuine quality.
The steady decline of captain Steven Gerrard, who had his least influential season in 10 years, is well under way and the omnipresent danger of talisman Suarez moving on will weigh on the mind of the manager who doesn’t really have any replacements as it stands.
The other contenders will be spending. Diego Costa looks to be on his way to Chelsea, Manchester United will look to sling-shot themselves back into the hunt with a host of big signings and City will throw money at whoever they want.
Brendan Rodgers will need every penny of the predicted £80 Million that he will have in his war chest to keep up next time around. Even then, that might not quite be enough.
I guess only time will tell.
Heath Parkes-Hupton
Roar Rookie
He had a fine season but he's going on 33 now and is clearly not the player he once was. He scored 13 goals and had as many assists in the league this season, however, the majority of those contributions came from penalties, free kicks and corners. He's also been shifted into a new position to both make the most of what he has left to offer and to make room for the front 4 to do their thing. There's no shame in that, it's just the way it is. Let' be honest, Steven Gerrard was never not going to be in the PFA team of the year with Liverpool doing so well. I don't see Henderson in that same side even though his contribution was arguably more telling over the course of the season.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Good read Heath. I contest anyone who says this was Liverpool's best chance. No one thought they had a chance at the start of the season, and there is no guarantee to say what will happen next season. There are so many hypotheticals. You could argue Liverpool need this player and that player, but so much of their fortunes will depend on injuries and suspensions.But the other factor is the fixture list, who they play, how much they travel, and what state their opponent is in on that day. The table doesnt lie after 38 games, but Liverpool's fortunes could be better next season if they do the right things, and have some luck on the way as well. As for their changes, I think they need five players at the least: a reserve keeper to challenge Mignolet, a new left back that will enable Flanagan to move to his natural right back position, a new centre back that will be lead the defence, defensive midfielder to partner and relieve Gerrard, and a new striker to back up Suarez and Sturridge. Players out I think this season should be Johnson, Toure, Aspas, Assaidi, Moses, Coates, Cissokho, Lucas, Reina. Alberto, Ibe to go out on loan.
Wanderer
Guest
Steady decline of Stevie G? The same Stevie G that made PFA Team of the Year and racked up the most assists in the league? You must be singing the same tune as that old Scottish bastard who thought he wasn't a 'top top player.'
Shouts Chen
Guest
I am a fan of Liverpool FC when the Liverpool first came to Australia. Hope Liverpool will have more followers.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
WB, I don't think I'd write them off for sure. There's not a particularly outstanding team right now. What I do think however is that Liverpool this season had a pretty good first eleven with an outstanding front line. They needed minimal squad rotation and had few injuries to the big players. Next season I think the fact that their squad is inferior will tell in a far more meaningful way. Juggling the CL is tough and Liverpool will want to make an impact there too, there's too much history not to give it a proper crack. Yes Liverpool can buy a few players but so can the rest of the top guys and I think that keeps the squads at a status quo in terms of quality unless Liverpool do incredibly well in the transfer market and others cock up - which is possible. Absolutely not would I write Liverpool off but I just think next year will be harder for sure.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Everyone quick to write off the Pool so soon. Sure they had a great shot at it and disappointingly came up short. However they made great strides this year. Despite the addition of CL football, why can't they contend again ? Agree it will be tough but not insurmountable. The first thing they must do is shore up the back four. They need to bring in a commanding centre back to marshall the defence. Sakho looks awkward and don't know if he is the right fit. Flanagan will be a cornerstone while Skrtel can do a job for another year or so. If Ashley Cole is on the way out of Chelski he might be worth bringing in on a free for experience. The key is a quality centre back. Mignolet needs to be more assertive on crosses and become more of a presence at the back. If Lalana joins then the midfield looks very solid although a successor for Stevie G must be groomed. Up front another striker will be needed to take the load off SAS. The pieces are there plus it's a reasonably young squad with promising players coming through. We can't compete financially with Chelski or the Manchester Clubs however if we manage CL well and shore up the back 4 why can't we challenge again.
langou
Roar Guru
Harry, just follow the A-League, its easier, requires less late nights and we have a salary cap -you don't have to keep changing teams
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Harry I'm confused, who do you support now!?
HarryBalding
Roar Guru
Nice article Heath! I like the depth of analysis you provided, and I reckon you're pretty spot on. I also like the bit about 'the steady decline of Steven Gerrard'. Being a lifelong Chelsea fan, I have been on the affirmative side of the fence in the 'money' debate, but it's really got to me this season. The reason I began following this club is because of players like Frankie, Drogba, Essien and Cech (not so much JT...bit of a grub) - players who, while being expensive initially, showed real passion and charisma. I have no connection to any of the current crop (besides Frankie!) and now toe the line of being called a traitor for supporting Southampton and Swansea simply because those clubs have heart, and find a way to get points while playing attacking football, even against teams who play the proven method of sitting back and counter-attacking. Anyhow, great read. Thanks mate!
Swampy
Guest
London Telegraph reporting Arsenal will inquire about him after indications by Real that he will be allowed to leave. Benzema only has a year remaining on his deal so if Real want max value for him they either have to sell him now or re-sign him.
Kareem
Guest
Source RE: Benzema? Haven't heard of Benzema wanting to leave Madrid.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Have to agree with pretty much everyone here. Rotating the squad for the Champions League will be an entirely new experience for Rodgers and he'll have far less time on the training pitch also as I'd expcet them to do better in the domestic cup competitions also. I think as well there was a huge 'element of surprise' this year, no one saw it coming. Fair enough he didn't play much but could anyone imagine Chelsea loaning them Victor Moses if they'd thought they were going to challenge for the title? I think everyone can see Liverpool need to strengthen defensively. Gerrard will be a year older and with a World Cup in his legs also. I think they have a great opportunity to build on what they've done this year but it will be tough. Paradoxically United are going to be the ones benefitting from zero European football. I've enjoyed their demise immensely but a new broom and 2-3 top class signings and they'll be knocking on the top four door also.
Swampy
Guest
Couldn't agree more Fadida. I think in all of this Liverpool love-in it's been lost that Pellegrini came in and took a side of massive egos, that the previous manager had lost control of, and calmly took them to the title without much fuss really. Futhermore to the spending side of things, City brought in Negredo, Jovetic, Navas and Demichelis last summer. On the last day only Demichelis started and in the second half of the season Demichelis was the only one of that recruiting pool that made any meaningful contribution to City's success and he only cost supposedly 4m pounds. Basically City's core that saw out the season has been together for 3 seasons, with many players there for 4 to 6 seasons now. The point being it takes time to integrate new talent and if Liverpool go on a buying spree (which they certainly have a rich enough backing to do so) they may not see immediate benefits and it may even set them back initially. They will need at least to increase the quality of the squad with champions league in play to cover the extra games. Quality centre back pairings usually take time to develop so you would expect if Rodgers addresses this area then they may have some teething issues next season (similar to Demichelis at City or Cahill when he went to Chelsea). Liverpool also face the very real possibilty of their cheating, racist, biting superstar leaving. As Benzema has already announced he is leaving Real then that is one very big club that will no doubt make a play for Suarez to fill the void. Further to this, other teams will have a much greater focus on combatting Rodger's style of play - particularly after the Mourinho blueprint was laid down and followed very successfully by Palace. Liverpool may have taken a few teams by surprise this season but that won't be the case next year. For the sake of another competitive EPL season I hope the reds do not fall away, but I agree with the author and believe they didn't take the opportunity afforded to them and that may be the only one they get.
Heath Parkes-Hupton
Roar Rookie
Yeah I just mentioned the money factor because it's been highlighted by all and sundry when discussing how well Liverpool have done this season in comparison. For me, it's all part of modern football.
Fadida
Guest
Yep Andy, Pool also spent a fortune. I think this was Liverpool's big chance and they simply won't have the depth to compete on multiple fronts. As pointed out they were pretty much injury free, picking the same side of fresh players again and again. It was a strange season. Man U had an anomaly of a season. Van Gaal or Ancellottti, the 2 likely candidates will get them straight back into the top 4. Chelsea had no forwards. Arsenal crippled with injury (though I guess we can expect that again) and Spurs ended up with a moron for a manager. Will the stars align for Liverpool again? I doubt it. On the "neutrals" choice thing, their best player is a diving, biting racist, who only behaved because things were going well. At the first sign of trouble his nastiness will return and he'll be angling for Spain.
Andy
Guest
I think they missed their chance for now. What they can do is ensure their finances keep them competitive for Champions League though, and eventually that final push. Pretty sick of all the chat of City's money though. The way Pool fans have talked, you'd think they had the finances of West Brom.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
I think this was Liverpool's best chance, for you know that the likes of Chelsea and the Manchester clubs will use their financial might to retool for which Liverpool cannot compete. Also they have to keep Suarez, and there are already the usual suspects buzzing around him. And, i know if they sold him you would get arguably 120-150 million quid, but he is irreplaceable.....