Oppositions Season Thoughts: Liverpool

Last updated : 30 June 2009 By Dan Buxton
How did your season go? Did Liverpool finish where you expected them to?

Before the season started most Liverpool supporters would have taken a creditable title challenge, finishing second and still being in with a chance in May showed that we have improved a lot and that we are close. But after the 5-1 thumping of Newcastle just after Xmas a lot of supporters believed we would go all the way. The home draws were disapointing and only having lost 2 games all season we probably should have won it. Our end to the season was very pleasing after looking like we were out of it around February time. Obviously the doubles over Chelsea and Manchester United as well as beating Real Madrid twice were highlights of our season.

Who was Liverpool's player of the year?

Close one between Alonso and Gerrard, Gerrard just clinches it for me having been the difference in many games again. special mentions for Kuyt and Benayoun who were much improved.

Who were the best players you saw play against Liverpool?

Obviously Andrei Arshavins 4 goals at Anfield was an achievement, but Brede Hangeland for Fulham did a fantastic job and kept us at 0-0 at home.

Where do you need to strengthen this summer?

Some sort of back up for Gerrard/Torres is a must, if either of those two spend the sort of time on the sidelines that they did this last season we wont achieve what we want (winning the league) again, David Villa would be a dream signing but I can't see it happening. We've already strengthened the defence in bringing in Glen Johnson, hopefully Arbeloa wont leave.

Which, if any, Stoke players impressed you this season?

Sorenson had a couple of great games against us, keeping 2 clean sheets. Rory Delaps throw ins were important for Stoke but also the threat that they offer in Fuller and a few others because the long throw-ins would be pointless if there was no one in the box to make anything of them.

What are your thoughts on Stoke City?

Stoke have done well to get into the premiership and stay up, I'm not sure how far they can go but who knows if they manage to stay up again and build on last season, becoming an established Premier League team then they could get a Uefa Cup (sorry, Europa League) place within a few seasons. Loudest fans in the Premier league as well apparently.

Who'll be on their way out of Anfield?

The main thing for us is to keep hold of our great players and build on last season, however I wouldn't be surprised if Alonso went, Arbeloa will probably leave after we have bought Johnson. Other than that Itanje, Leto has already gone, Pennant will most probably go as his contracts up, Voronin, maybe Babel too. I'm hoping a few of our younger lads go out on loan and get some first team experience Jay Spearing, Damien Plessis, Nemeth, Pachecho etc.

Liverpool's best 11 of the season?

Reina

Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Aurelio

Kuyt Mascherano Alonso Riera

Gerrard

Torres