I got a fair bit of stick the other day when I described Liverpool’s season as being ‘lacklustre even in their precious Champions League.’ On reflection I can see why such comments were jumped on but when you take a close, unbiased look at Liverpool, it really has been another (not that) close but no cigar season for the Reds.

Summer months in Liverpool tend to chime from the same song sheet year in year out. But the usual spiel about the Reds definitely challenging for the Premiership title this season now appeared much more feasible at the start of this campaign given the financial backing of the two American Big Boy Billionaires. The squad expanded with considerable firepower added as the Reds looked to make up ground on Manchester United’s 26 goal difference of last season.

And things started well; Liverpool finally kicked off a Premiership campaign on a winning note, the first time in five seasons. A draw against Chelsea and two impressive wins against Sunderland and Derby showing these newly promoted contingents just how punishing life in the top flight can be, finally meant Liverpool were top of the table.

The Fortress that was Anfield

However a timeout for two European Championship qualifiers seemed to disrupt Liverpool’s routine thus marking the start of Liverpool’s “draw’s galore” period. Out of the next seven games Liverpool drew five - three of which occurred at Anfield. During that time Rafa’s rotation system went into overdrive with only two players featured in all seven matches; the majority selected for on average 4 of the 7 games. Rafa was beginning to resemble a kid in a sweet shop - so much choice, he didn’t know where to look or what to pick and his indecision resulted in an unsettled and generally unproductive squad.

It was a torrid time (typically with a well changed team) in Europe too. After breezing past Toulouse, Liverpool were drawn in a favourable group but after going three from three and earning just a point, nerves jangled, boardroom unrest grew and Liverpool’s claims for football dominance were again falling well short of the mark.

Bickers in the Back Room

With money comes expectation. Buyers have seen Abramovich pile the pounds into Chelsea and earned instant results. Not understanding the way the game works, Hicks and Gillett presumed the same would be the case for Liverpool. But when results went astray and Liverpool fell out of reach with those leading the way, Rafa was deemed the root of the problem and a replacement was sneakily sort after.

Clearly such despicable antics would have some effect on events on the pitch. At first it appeared to only make the team more determined; the Reds thrashing of Luton in the FA Cup third round replay demonstrated allegiance to their manager but when matters concerning the Premiership returned Liverpool faltered once again with another draw at home and defeat at Upton Park. At this stage, the Reds lay down in 7th and what seemed a million miles away from Manchester United once again top of the table.

But Liverpool aren’t alone in dealing with backroom disputes. Look at what’s happened to Avram Grant at Chelsea. Under immediate pressure and haunted by the ghost of Mourinho, the Israeli has endured criticism from just about everyone - critics, the fans, players and, of course, one particular Russian billionaire who has kept the proverbial axe constantly above Grant’s head. Alas Chelsea are still in with a shot the Premiership and in their first ever European final. So I guess that flaws that argument!

Battles against the Big Boys

The mark of a true champion is having the ability to beat anyone on any day and that includes the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Man U; Liverpool haven’t done that. For the past five seasons (that’s 30 games), the Reds have recorded only 6 wins - 3 against Arsenal, 2 against Chelsea and just the one against United - and 5 draws; seeing defeat in the remaining 19 games. And it’s been a similar tale for the Reds again this season.

Out of the potential 18 points available from these typically “Super Sunday” clashes, Liverpool managed to take just 4 and were the only team out of the four who failed to register a win in any of them. Unsurprisingly Man U topped the bill; their recent defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was the only time they failed to earn anything.

It appears when it comes to the main event Liverpool simply aren’t on par with the league’s top three. It’s be a long 6 six seasons since the Reds beat their arch rivals at Anfield, a whopping eight seasons since their last win away to Arsenal and four seasons and counting to register a league win at the Bridge. And that leads us nicely to the second leg of the Champions League semi this season.

I thought it was a fair assumption to describe Liverpool’s extra time efforts as lacklustre. When Babel’s goal fired into the net leaving the Reds needing just one more goal and 3+ minutes to get it in (hardly an impossibility considering the three in six they scored against Milan), the only people that seemed to believe was the Liverpool fans. There was no urgency coming from the players. They were in short not the champions of 2005. A friend of mine said before kick off, this game will be won by whoever wants it more and, you know what, I think it was.

2008/09 - Another Season of False Promises?

In true Liverpool style, the Reds are ending the season on nothing short of a rampage. Just the one defeat in their last 14 games, Liverpool have earned 33 points placing them ahead of Chelsea (31pts), Man U (30pts) and Arsenal (26pts). So what, or perhaps more precisely who, do they need for next season to finally tip them over that verge and into the path of greatness once again?

First point of call, Liverpool need width; Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun are not natural left wingers. Babel’s done pretty well for his first season, his pace is blistering and once he’s used to physical standard of the Premiership he’ll scare defenders out of their wits for a full 90 minutes but he needs to be running at the heart of the opponents defence and Rafa knows this. He knows he’s got no one to really maximise the left flank. Just look what he did in the second leg against Arsenal - stuck Gerrard out there. Isn’t it infuriating that whatever Liverpool’s problem the first response is throw Stevie G in to solve it?

If Liverpool are ever going to fully step into the limelight again they need strength in every position. I listen when they place the likes of United and Arsenal and every mentioned name from those ranks just brims with quality. Liverpool have some players like that - the obvious being Gerrard, Torres, Carragher, Skrtel (a very good buy indeed) - but they need more.

Get rid of the dead wood like Voronin, Pennant and Riise; Crouch I will be sad to see go but you can’t blame him for seeking pastures new - he’s not even been able to buy a game for Liverpool this season. He will need replacing though; at this level you can’t run the risk of having just Torres as the deliverer of goals even as naturally gifted as he is.

The main components of a world beating team are there and maybe with a tad more fine tuning with a few new, quality faces in the ranks, Liverpool should be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other Big Three and leap full throttle into greatness.

 Written by Rachel Wright

Liverpool play Tottenham in the final game of the season.

Click here to read the match preview then place your final entry on Premier 10