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Liverpool all over Europe
Written by Sawyer | 15th November 2005 | 0 Comment(s)
The embers of Liverpool’s success last May still burn around Anfield, as their extraordinarily long season continues with varying degrees of success.
It probably wasn’t too long after Steven Gerrard hoisted the trophy skywards that one or two murmurs were heard regarding that ‘Liverpool were probably not the best team in Europe’, nevertheless, with the European Cup safely tucked away for eternity in the Anfield trophy cabinet, no-one really cared.
The following celebrations are now something that Rafa Benitez and his troops will save in their memories, as Liverpool embark on another exercise to qualify for next season’s competition. Some on Merseyside may still harbour thoughts of winning the Premiership, however reality may suggest otherwise.
All that surveyed that wonderful night in May, AC Milan supporters apart, would have been enthralled by the shear ‘theatre’ of the whole occasion. In a similar way, England’s recent victory over Argentina encapsulated the audience. There are obviously many other scenarios, but as we know football isn’t always like this.
Of course, once again Michael Owen was on hand to initially rescue England, before sending the crowd in to raptures at the death of the game. Benitez may have been pondering the club’s lethargy during the summer’s negotiations at that point, but was able to console himself as the news of Luis Garcia’s hat-trick, and a Fernando Morientes strike filtered through later that evening.
Vladimir Smicer also scored for Czech Republic, which meant that players with Liverpool connections had vastly contributed to the evening’s entertainment in major matches.
This scenario, of course is nothing new. An ocean hasn’t exactly passed under the bridge since that famous evening when England demolished Germany 5-1, with all the goals courtesy of The Reds.
Undoubtedly Benitez will be especially proud of his Spanish players’ achievements; however this may be tempered by having the International break in the first place.
Prior to the break Liverpool, it appeared, had dusted off the early fatigue and was just beginning to return to form. Strangely, the Champions League games never seem to be a problem for them, but the two solid Premiership victories will have pleased their Spanish Manager.
What will not be lost on Benitez is that Garcia has netted as many for Spain as he has for his club, and with Djibril Cisse also on target for France last week his permutations may seem once again unclear.
The persistence in playing Peter Crouch is certainly commendable, but hopefully not bordering on just stubbornness. The treatment of Cisse is also a little baffling, but it could be that Benitez is being careful not to burn any of his players out. Nevertheless, he has won the European Cup and probably knows better than most what he is doing.
Nevertheless, it would appear that Cisse and Gerrard remain Liverpool’s greatest threat to their opponents’ goal, so the early season rumours regarding the Frenchman’s position do seem a little mystifying.
As January approaches, some may wonder whether Benitez will shuffle his hand further, especially considering that their season began in the height of summer during mid-July.
The fixtures that greet Liverpool in the run up to Christmas all appear to be winnable, and with one or two games in hand (depending on which team you compare with), Benitez will not wish to be chasing a top four position indefinitely.
As long as at least a draw can be secured when Real Betis visit Anfield, Benitez can concentrate on propelling Liverpool as near to the League’s summit as possible. Of course a loss would set up yet another battle royal with Chelsea, and this could be an encounter that may cloud their Premiership focus.
Looking further down the line, an important time in Liverpool’s season was always likely to be around February and March. This is a time when they could be suffering from any extra fatigue due to their extraordinary program of fixtures.
Furthermore, they are due to face Arsenal twice in a month, which are meetings that may doubly test their resolve. Football being football, it will probably not be too surprising should the two clubs be drawn together in the knockout stage of the Champions League (there is no country protection for The Reds). Of course, Liverpool would probably have to finish second in their section for this to occur.
Benitez will survey his sides closing fixtures and probably be thankful that, even though there are no easy games in the Premiership, the computer could have dealt Liverpool a far worse hand.
By then of course, what could be a tired set of players may have a top four position firmly in their sights, and if they have once again managed to gain an against the odds European scalp, as they did over Juventus last season, Benitez may just be dreaming of lightening striking twice.
Considering their early start to this campaign, finishing with a Champions League place would definitely be success. Liverpool may not be the best team in Europe, but if this was achieved, they would certainly be a side that has shown tremendous character, guts and spirit.
Hopefully Liverpool can steer clear of injuries, especially to Gerrard, Cisse, Garcia and Xabi Alonso, then quite possibly England’s most successful club (European and Domestically), may take reward from their season, with the FA Cup the most likely target.
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