A farewell that's much more final for some

Liverpool Daily Post, 16 May 2005 A farewell that's much more final for some By Ian Doyle, Daily Post

THEY came to give their men a raucous send-off before their Istanbul date with destiny. But Anfield knew it was probably also waving one final farewell to a generation of Liverpool players.

Rafael Benitez has largely resisted the temptation to rip up his squad and start again during a first season that has frustrated and confounded expectations in equal measure.

But this summer will see Anfield's revolving door spinning like a top as the Spaniard, feet firmly nestled underneath the manager's table, begins in earnest the lengthy process of moulding the team into his desired shape.

A shake-up is needed. As the European Cup has taken priority in recent weeks, so it has become abundantly clear - if it wasn't already - that this Liverpool squad lacks the strength in depth to compete on more than one front.

It's why they were unable to place Everton under sufficient pressure for the fourth Champions League qualification berth and it's why reaching this year's final against AC Milan has been such an astonishing achievement.

The May 25 date will be the pinnacle of many of the players' careers but it is in the more humdrum surrounds of domestic battle that Liverpool sides - and managers - have historically been judged.

Benitez has now had his settling-in period. He knows what to expect next season in the Premiership, and he will formulate a transfer policy accordingly, irrespective of whether a fifth European Cup is lifted or not.

And the work has already begun. Villarreal goalkeeper Jose Reina is likely to arrive, and with Scott Carson previously purchased it would be no surprise to see one of Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland at pastures new next season.

Vladimir Smicer is a definite departure, the unfathomable Mauricio Pellegrino will surely follow while Igor Biscan and Dietmar Hamann are still mulling over an exit.

Others may be left no choice in the matter. Benitez buys Josemi and Antonio Nunez have failed to shine but could be given another chance, while the under-achieving Harry Kewell cannot have any complaints if he is urged to pack his bags.

As for Steven Gerrard - well, who knows?

With goalkeepers accounted for, Benitez's priority will be to further strengthen the spine of the team - a quick centre-back, a strong central midfielder and a goalscoring striker are a must. Add a creative, genuine wide player and Liverpool can expect better things in league combat next season.

With one eye on Istanbul, Benitez made eight changes yesterday against Aston Villa - Gerrard,, Luis Garcia and Djimi Traore not even on the bench - and self--preservation was clearly the order of the day, players understandably keen to avoid the injury that could ruin their chances of participation on the club's biggest night in 20 years.

Those challenging for a starting role largely underwhelmed - with one notable exception.

Djibril Cisse's mere presence on a football pitch this season is testament to his strength of character and determination following his horrendous double fracture of the leg at Blackburn Rovers in October.

But the fact that he began yesterday's game up front in an attempt to prove his Istanbul credentials said as much about the poor form of Milan Baros than anything else.

Nevertheless, Cisse grasped his opportunity with both hands, winning and scoring a penalty and then clinically converting from inside the area after a slaloming run down the right flank by the lesser-spotted Josemi, making his first appearance since December 14.

In those seven first-half minutes, Cisse scored as many goals as Baros has in the last five months. A sobering thought.

But will it be enough to earn the Frenchman the nod in Turkey? It's too early to tell, but Benitez now has a genuine alternative to the sulking Baros, who hardly endeared himself to his manager with his midweek grump at being substituted so often.

The Czech, too, may find himself surplus to requirements as his Euro 2004 escapades become but a distant memory. Kewell was also given a run-out and though he worked hard, the response of the Anfield crowd to a number of his less-than-committed challenges suggests he has a long way to go if he is to ever win over the home support.

Two-up, Liverpool eased off even further, allowing Gareth Barry to grab a goal back. Further embarrbuttment was spared to ensure an instantly forgettable Premiership season at least ended on a winning note.

It was then time for the Liverpool squad to take the applause from the expectant home crowd and swiftly turn their attentions to attempting to lift the club's fifth European Cup.

How many of those players return for pre-season, though, is very much open to question.

-- "It feels as if I have been on a permanent honeymoon since I arrived here, I am on a cloud and I feel as if with Liverpool I have found the love of my life." - Rafael Ben'tez