After getting beaten by arch rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford and being held by Spurs at Anfield, the gap between Liverpool and fourth spot has widened to four points, and with Arsenal on a good run of form of late, Liverpool might have to wait another year for Champions League football to return to Anfield. But then again, the Reds are also in the final of the Carling Cup and have a fifth round FA Cup clash with Brighton to look forward to.
It has been a mixed season so far for Liverpool as far as the results on the pitch are concerned, with the Reds failing to find the required amount of consistency in the league to qualify for Europe’s elite competition, but then again at the same time, have been impressive in the domestic competitions, knocking out the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United out of both the domestic cups. But what constitutes a successful season for Liverpool Football Club? Will just a trophy do or is Champions League qualification necessary? Or even both?
There is no doubt whatsoever that when a season starts, Liverpool Football Club should be aiming to win the league, not just a place in the top four, but keeping in mind where we were at this stage last season, coupled with the fact that Kenny Dalglish’s side are still in rebuilding phase, Liverpool are far off from mounting a title challenge. So, instead, a place in the top four was the more realistic target, and to be honest, with 13 games still to play, a place in one of the Champions League spots this season is still possible. Its been more than 2 painful years now since we were last involved in the Champions League, and without a doubt, failure to get involved in it next season will cause a massive uproar from the Anfield faithful. Those famous European nights at Anfield have been sorely missed in the last couple of seasons by the fans, and even from a financial point of view, the loss in revenue has been immense. No European football also acts as a barrier to attracting world class players to the club, and keeping in mind the rise of Harry Redknapp’s Spurs and the oil money of the Sheikhs at the Etihad, a finish in the top four should be of paramount importance.
On the other hand, a trophy does you no harm whatsoever, especially after a trophy drought of nearly 6 years, and despite some people labeling the Carling Cup as a ‘Mickey Mouse Cup’, sometimes even a trophy of relatively less importance, can act as springboard to further success. A Liverpool win in the Carling Cup could possibly inspire the Reds to lift the FA Cup as well, and who knows, even a place in the top four. Confidence will pour into this young side as a result, and it could also help in attracting top quality players to Merseyside.
Obviously every Liverpool fan, including myself, wants the club to win trophies and get back into the Champions League as soon as possible, but if I were given an option, I’d chose a cup double rather than just a place in the top four. Liverpool Football Club exists to win trophies and for me, seeing a Liverpool side back to winning trophies would constitute a successful season.
Umar Khurrum @UmarKhurrum.
4 comments:
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