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da bet sport： The bandwagon regarding Liverpool’s recent ‘crisis’ has become dangerously overloaded in recent weeks, as the Merseysiders on-field form has dipped. One win in five Premier League games is far from ideal, yet the talk surrounding the club’s fortunes this term has been, perhaps, more negative than is deserved.
Expectations at Anfield were sky high in August, with fans and pundits expecting Liverpool to mount a genuine charge for Champions League qualification and possibly even the title. The arrivals of Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique and Charlie Adam were seen to be the final pieces of the puzzle, pushing Liverpool up to the next level, following two seasons of disappointment. A sustained title challenge was never realistic, due to the financial clout and experience of the Manchester duo, with a top four spot being the limit of what should have been expected. Competition for a place in the much sought after top quartet of the league has been even more fierce than ever this term, with the emergence of City and Tottenham meeting the previously labelled ‘big four’, and Newcastle performing above expectations, making a break into the positions extremely difficult. Liverpool have found this in particular, slipping behind all of their rivals and out of contention, disappointing supporters and calling he role of Kenny Dalglish, as manager, into question.
There’s no getting away from the fact that finishing the campaign seventh or below, which is a real possibility, would be massively disappointing for all involved, but the club is far from the disaster zone which it has been labelled. Each time Liverpool are insulted the ‘but we won the Carling Cup’ story comes out, and although the competition is belittled by some, it’s silverware none-the-less, and a competition that 90% of those who support teams in the English league set-up would love to win. The victory, albeit via spot-kicks, over Cardiff was a great day for supporters of the club, ending a six year trophy drought and allowing the loyal following to get their first glimpse of the men in Red playing on the hallowed turf of the new Wembley.
The Anfield outfit also remain in contention for a domestic cup double, having booked another trip to the national stadium, to take on local rivals Everton in the FA Cup semi-final. Although there is still a long way to go, Dalglish has a genuine chance of securing a double in his first full-term at the club. The league may have suffered but, fans, as a whole, would be happy with two trips to Wembley and a possible trophy double, despite fourth place being the major target for the season. Pot shots have been aimed at Dalglish this season, with some sectors of support chanting for Rafa Benitez to return, yet if Liverpool do secure the FA Cup, the Scotsman would have matched the Spaniard’s major competition trophy haul during his first full season since his return, although one of Benitez’s honours was the UEFA Champions League in 2005.
Behind the scenes the Reds board have also been working hard, securing financial deals that will benefit the club in years to come. The Fenway Sports Group have successfully negotiated a £25-million-per-year kit contract with the American sports brand Warrior, to add to the £20-million-a-season agreement with Standard Chartered. Although this may not excite supporters in the same way that on-field success would, securing such levels of steady income in the current financial situation is a real achievement, especially with Financial Fair Play looming.
It’s become slightly fashionable to have a pop at Liverpool, and to an extent they have made a rod for their own backs this campaign, but things are simply not as negative as some seem to believe. On the field the club have a real hope of a double dose of silverware, and away from the action the new owners are putting sensible plans in place. Although fourth spot was the expectation, the old cliché states ‘there’s always next season’ and as long as Liverpool board doesn’t do anything rash, the foundations are in place for further achievements next term.
What do you think? Can Liverpool take many positives from this season? Comment or follow @Alex_Hams on Twitter to have your say
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