Lescor
Has it been that bad a season?
From Liverpoolfc
Liverpool supporters today should take comfort in the fact that even defeat on Sunday only allowed Arsenal to move within eight points of their club. I wonder how many fans would have settled for a lead like that over Wenger's side at this stage of the season back in August when the Premiership kicked off?
Everyone always goes on about Liverpool needing to catch Chelsea but I think that's missing the point somewhat. In living memory, I can't recall one team who has jumped from fifth in the Premiership to winning the title the following year. It just doesn't happen.
What Liverpool needed to do this season was improve their Premiership form and bring some consistency to their game. In my eyes, they've done that. I'm sure at the start of the season, Rafa probably had Arsenal and Manchester United in his sights far more than Chelsea. Jose Mourinho's side are in a league of their own when it comes to winning matches week in and week out in the Premiership and while I believe that Liverpool will eventually mount a realistic title fight against the Blues under Benitez, it's Arsenal and United that must be conquered first.
To sit eight points ahead of Arsenal with just 9 games of the season remaining is astonishing. Arsenal may be a side in transition but so to are Liverpooland to be eight points ahead of a team who last season finished 25 points ahead of you is what I call progress. Forget the 37 points Chelsea finished ahead of Liverpool last year, if Liverpool can even make up 25 points on Arsenal this season you'd have to say that's a successful season.
Yes, losing to Benfica may have surprised some people and the defeat would have hurt but, realistically speaking, winning the Champions League again this season was unlikely for Liverpool. Not many teams retain the Champions League and I don't think Liverpool have anything to be ashamed about in going out in the knock-out stages after such a gruelling season that has not only seen them compete in three domestic competitions but also the Champions League, Super Cup and World Club Championships.
Liverpool should now forget about the Benfica defeat now and concentrate on the domestic affairs with the FA Cup still there to be won. Benitez had a brilliant first season, winning the European Cup, and I'm sure he'd love to add another trophy to the cabinet this season.
