Premier League Champions 08/09 - Liverpool
Could a great start to the season see the title go to Anfield?
The main news highlights of 1990 saw Margaret Thatcher step down as British Prime Minister, Nelson Mandela released from prison and Sinead O’Conner top the charts with Nothing Compares 2 U.
In football, Liverpool, under player/manager Kenny Dalglish, prolonged their rule of the game, by winning their eighteenth English League Championship.
Midfielder John Barnes had been instrumental for the Anfield outfit during that 1989/90 season and was duly rewarded with the Football Writers and the PFA's Player of the Year, while Ian Rush notched 18 goals. The future looked bright for the Reds as they stared at a third straight decade of dominance.
However, the vision as future English champions never materialised and the Anfield trophy cabinet has not seen the Championship silver grace its presence since.
Dalglish left for Blackburn where he would be victorious again, while Ronnie Moran, Graeme Souness, Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier all failed to bring England’s main domestic prize back to Merseyside.
LIVERPOOL SUCCESS IN EUROPE
It was not for the effort of trying though, Liverpool had more than capable enough sides during the various managers’ tenures.
The European Cup, Intercontinental Cup, UEFA Cup, Super Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and FA Community Shield have all been proudly placed in the Anfield showroom over the last eighteen years.
Yet, there remains an empty spot which still awaits the Premier League trophy.
Second place finishes in the 1990/91 and 2001/02 seasons are the closest the Reds have come, but surely this season is Liverpool’s best hope of winning the title which has evaded them.
RAFAEL BENITEZ IS THE MAN FOR THE JOB
Although he has had his critics, current head coach Rafael Benitez has managed to build a squad which is now able to match those of their main-rivals Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Benitez is no stranger to domestic success. During the 2003/04 season many believed that he would find it difficult to promote his Valencia side from being third place regulars to title contenders.
There was a severe lack of funds at the Mestalla and Bentiez was highly frustrated.
The former Real Madrid youth team coach had a choice. He could cut his losses and leave or find a new way of changing the clubs fortunes - Benitez chose the latter.
With many doubting his side’s attacking prowess, he took the gamble of transforming midfielder Mista to a striker, a risk which handsomely paid off as the Spanish international bagged 19 goals and Valencia claimed the La Liga crown.
LIVERPOOL’S STRONG SQUAD
On Merseyside, Benitez does not have such a problem. This season, he has had the capability of moving a striker onto the flank, a move which seems to have, so far, been of benefit to the resurrected workaholic Dirk Kuyt.
While in Fernando Torres and new signing Robbie Keane, Liverpool have a strike-force that could emulate the Premiership’s great partnerships - Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.
One position which has hindered the Reds’ chances of success however has been that of an exciting winger, capable of beating the full-back, whilst also being able to drift in field and score goals.
Mark Gonzalez and Harry Kewell have tried and failed.
And although still early in the season, £11 million purchase Albert Riera from Espanyol has shown glimpses of what Anfield has been craving - skill, pace and confidence – something not seen from the flanks since Steve McManaman left for Real Madrid.
Steven Gerrard is arguably the best midfielder in the Premiership and with Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano providing cover it allows the England international to roam the pitch and provide support for the front two.
Add this to a stern centre-back pairing of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel with Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia as back-up, Liverpool have a squad which is competitive in every department.
FAILURE TO TAKE ADVATAGE
Nevertheless, Liverpool’s downfall over the years has been their lack of consistency.
Already this season Rafael Benitez’ side have beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton, while showing battling spirit to come from behind to take all three points from Manchester City and Wigan Athletic.
However, if they are to triumph in the league they will have to find ways of overcoming their inconsistency to take maximum points from the lesser sides of the Premiership – their 0-0 draw against newly-promoted Stoke City this season and last season’s stalemate against Birmingham City at Anfield being perfect examples.
If Liverpool can quash this difficulty then the title that the Anfield faithful have been yearning for could well be gracing the red half of Merseyside come May 2009.
Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez
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Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard
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