Rafa's staunch defence of our attacking threat and creativity often use stats to back it up.
If we consider just Premiership goals, only Torres (24) and Gerrard (11, including 3 penalties) managed double figures. In comparison, Man Ure scored 13 more goals and had three players with 10+ strikes (Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney) including the league's top scorer. However, both Arsenal and Chelsea had only one player in double figures (Adebayor's 24 and Lampard got 10).
In order to mount a challenge, it is not essential to have several players scoring 10+ unless you have a top scorer as prolific as Ronaldo, Torres or Adebayor were last season. Any challenge for this year's title is dependent on Torres getting 20+ goals and the likes of Babel, Gerrard, Keane and Kuyt scoring 10+.
Looking Liverpool's last five seasons:
Season__Pos___W___D__ L___F___ A____Pts____Deficit from title (cup record)
07/08_4th__21__13__4__67__28__76_ -11 (CL semi, FAC R4, LC QF)
06/07_3rd__20__8__10_ 57__27__68__-23 (CL final, FAC R3, LC QF)
05/06_3rd__25__7__6__57__25__82__-9 (CL R2, FAC win, LC R3)
04/05_5th__17__7__14__52__41__58__-37 (CL win, FAC R3, CC final)
03/04_4th__16__12_10__55__37__60__-30 (UEFA R4, FAC R5, CC R4)
Following a transitional first season under BenÃtez in 04/05 where attention was distracted by the glorious European run, Liverpool made significant progress in 05/06. Following an early Champs Lge departure v Porto, eventually finishing just nine points shy of champions Chelski.
Again distracted by potential Champions league glory in 06/07, Liverpool finished woefully off the pace. Last season's squad looked more capable of sustaining a challenge but the league form was undermined by two draws in September and three more at the turn of the year (perhaps more of the quality of fringe players than Rafa's rotation policy per se).
In conclusion, it is hard to mount a serious title challenge and be successful in the cup competitions. The record in the league is almost a mirror image of the displays in Europe. Although Man Ure managed the League and European double in 07/08, they had one of the most expensive squads ever assembled, very good luck with injuries and a player performing miracles (I hate to say it but Ronaldo's 42 goals in 48 games is arguably the greatest goalscoring feat in modern football). If Rafael Benitez is to finally end the now 19 year wait for number 19, he has to prioritise the League over cup competitions. My fear is the financial implications of neglecting the Champions League is too great given the club's current financial struggle.
Looking at the last five seasons, the golden rules for title success are:
We have achieved 1 and 4 of these targets but fell 5 goals short of the 72 mark and 9 points shy of 87 target last season. In conclusion, Liverpool must do at least the following to win the title:
It demonstrates that the margin between glory and being nearly men is fine: an injury to a key player or a poor refereeing decision against a rival can prove vital. Aside from Lady Luck, an early exit from Europe similar to the 2nd round defeat to Porto two seasons ago could prove beneficial to their chances of securing number 19.
"Last season, Torres, Gerrard, Babel, Kuyt, Benayoun and Crouch all got double figures for us. Crouch has left but we have brought in Keane, who also got double figures for Tottenham, so I am not concerned." www.liverpoolfc.tv, 1 Aug 2008.Rafa is correct but one must remember that the six players mentioned all got 10+ goals in all competitions, which hides their overall league contribution. We played 21 cup games in all last season: 14 Champions League (including 2 qualifiers), 4 FA Cup games and 3 League Cup matches. Overall, 10 goals in 59 games is not really something to shout about. If we have genuine title credentials, 10 goals should be a reasonable target in league games only.
If we consider just Premiership goals, only Torres (24) and Gerrard (11, including 3 penalties) managed double figures. In comparison, Man Ure scored 13 more goals and had three players with 10+ strikes (Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney) including the league's top scorer. However, both Arsenal and Chelsea had only one player in double figures (Adebayor's 24 and Lampard got 10).
In order to mount a challenge, it is not essential to have several players scoring 10+ unless you have a top scorer as prolific as Ronaldo, Torres or Adebayor were last season. Any challenge for this year's title is dependent on Torres getting 20+ goals and the likes of Babel, Gerrard, Keane and Kuyt scoring 10+.
Looking Liverpool's last five seasons:
Season__Pos___W___D__ L___F___ A____Pts____Deficit from title (cup record)
07/08_4th__21__13__4__67__28__76_ -11 (CL semi, FAC R4, LC QF)
06/07_3rd__20__8__10_ 57__27__68__-23 (CL final, FAC R3, LC QF)
05/06_3rd__25__7__6__57__25__82__-9 (CL R2, FAC win, LC R3)
04/05_5th__17__7__14__52__41__58__-37 (CL win, FAC R3, CC final)
03/04_4th__16__12_10__55__37__60__-30 (UEFA R4, FAC R5, CC R4)
Following a transitional first season under BenÃtez in 04/05 where attention was distracted by the glorious European run, Liverpool made significant progress in 05/06. Following an early Champs Lge departure v Porto, eventually finishing just nine points shy of champions Chelski.
Again distracted by potential Champions league glory in 06/07, Liverpool finished woefully off the pace. Last season's squad looked more capable of sustaining a challenge but the league form was undermined by two draws in September and three more at the turn of the year (perhaps more of the quality of fringe players than Rafa's rotation policy per se).
In conclusion, it is hard to mount a serious title challenge and be successful in the cup competitions. The record in the league is almost a mirror image of the displays in Europe. Although Man Ure managed the League and European double in 07/08, they had one of the most expensive squads ever assembled, very good luck with injuries and a player performing miracles (I hate to say it but Ronaldo's 42 goals in 48 games is arguably the greatest goalscoring feat in modern football). If Rafael Benitez is to finally end the now 19 year wait for number 19, he has to prioritise the League over cup competitions. My fear is the financial implications of neglecting the Champions League is too great given the club's current financial struggle.
Looking at the last five seasons, the golden rules for title success are:
- Don't lose more than 5 games
- Win at least 26
- Score 72+ goals
- Concede no more than 27 goals
- Gain at least 87 points
We have achieved 1 and 4 of these targets but fell 5 goals short of the 72 mark and 9 points shy of 87 target last season. In conclusion, Liverpool must do at least the following to win the title:
- Score 5 more goals?
- Convert 5 of 13 draws into wins (by accomplishing the previous target!)
Draws v Chelsea (scandulous penalty decision), Pompey (rested Torres for Europe), Brum (rested Torres for League Cup!), Spurs (Keane brace, Voronin preferred to Babel, Crouch & Kuyt!), Arsenal (late equaliser), Blackburn (negative tactics, no Torres, Kuyt as lone striker, one eye on Europe?), Man City (negative opponents, lack of flair), Wigan (negative tactics, Arbeloa at centre-back), Middlesbrough (Voronin preferred to Babel/Kuyt/Crouch), Villa (cautious tactics), Chelsea (solid display, no strikers on bench), Arsenal (players rested for Europe), Brum (one eye on Europe again).
- Convert 1 of 4 defeats into a draw?
It demonstrates that the margin between glory and being nearly men is fine: an injury to a key player or a poor refereeing decision against a rival can prove vital. Aside from Lady Luck, an early exit from Europe similar to the 2nd round defeat to Porto two seasons ago could prove beneficial to their chances of securing number 19.
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