Debate: Best Case Scenario, Top 4?
Posted on 18. Jul, 2010 by Dominic Campbell in Debate
In recent years the top four were always the same, with Liverpool, Arsenal, United and Chelsea all retaining their ’big four’ status’. Last season, though, the balance shifted as more teams started to mount serious threats for that last Champions League spot, which ultimately, saw us fail to gain entry into a competition with Europes elite.
In the past, our mediocre form would have been enough to see us finish fourth; comfortably. However, with City’s millions, Tottenhams abundance of strike options and Villa’s consistancy, we found ourselves struggling in what turned out to be a devastating season for Liverpool fans and players alike.
It came to the point in the season were Liverpool, had become complete write-offs. Then, going into the Arsenal game, we suddenly became contenders for third spot. This though, only lasted about 90 minutes as Arsenal improved their league position and made our job a lot harder. This, saw us hit a road block as we dropped from fourth all the way back down to sixth.
The importance of the following games could not be explained, nor could it be under-estimated. What was seen as a marathon, turned into a 400 meter hurdle race. The team that tripped up the fewest times, would take their place in the CL, the rest, would just have to wait their turn and try again.
As we sat in sixth, level on points with Villa, and one point behind City and Tottenham, we looked up at the table and began to realise that we faced a monumental task to regain fourth spot. The hardest hurdle to over-come, was the game-in-hand that both City and Villa have yet to play. In short we had to win just about every game from then until the end of the season; something we failed to do as we finished the season in 7th.
There were many factors to consider when reviewing the poor season. Much of it had to go down to the manager, who was subsequently replaced by Roy Hodgson. The players, too, had to take a big part of the blame. Many were too busy mouthing off, or thinking about what club they could move to in the next season. And then there is the owners, the tight-fisted fat-cats that are running this club into the ground. Their lack of funding, turned our club from 2nd place title challengers, into a 7th place Europa League qualifier team.
So…
Are we, as a club, really asking to much to expect some sort of silver-ware in the coming campaign? Is fourth really the most realistic target we can hope to achieve and if so, how long will it take for us to become the same team we was in 2008/09?
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5 Responses to “Debate: Best Case Scenario, Top 4?”
Kopsource.com is the brainchild of passionate Liverpool FC fans whose desire for real and regular news, opinions and statistics could not be satiated by any of the other existing sites online. 
Scott
21. Jul, 2010
Firstly congrats on getting the new website up and running.
I think it is going to take a monumental effort from the team next season to get into the top four once more, especially as Man City are about to break the 100million bracket. I think a lot will depend on how well there new players gel, and to me personally they do still seem a bit suspect at the back. But we will have to wait and see.
I personally think Arsenal are there for the taking though they seem to rely heavily on the pretty football and it’s great to watch but if they lose Fabregas then I think things will start to go downhill for them.
I think next season is going to be a bit of a cracker though, I can see us getting back in the top 4, but I don’t see us progressing from 4th place until the ownership debarcle has been sorted out.
sedplas
21. Jul, 2010
nice work for the site…
in my opinion with few more players coming in we can compete for top 4 and expect to get there. we have very good first 11 and bench need some strengthening and we will be ready. yes city have money but that doesn’t mean they will get there easy, spurs will be occupied with CL till january, united is becoming weak and arsenal just doesn’t seem like serious opponent (though they always get far). we have real chance of getting back in top 4 this year, and that’s least we can expect.
topscout
23. Jul, 2010
Great website, well dun every1.
I think if Roy spends his budget wisely on Quality players, ( ie richards, Ireland, cissoko, parker, turan, elia, benzema, huntelaar on loan) then i can see LFC winning the EPL, or coming runners up. with the signing of joe cole, SG staying, torres staying..fingers crossed and Roy selling players like Insua, reira, yossi, and hopefully Roy can sell mash, Lucas, kuyt, El zar, nemeth, things are looking up.
starting 11 cud look like this…..
reina
johnson carra agger cissoko
turan sg parker elia
torres benzema
subs
richards, ireland, babel, huntelaar
No 19 is coming home
topscout
23. Jul, 2010
plus Joe cole on the bench
hold51
26. Jul, 2010
I think given the investment spent on Spurs and Villa and also a lot of money now going to Brum leads me to think unless we have a major financial boost soon, if roy can get us in the top 4 it will be some achievement and we will need no major injuries and a lot of better luck than last season!