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Death of the Big Four
Patrick Whyte12 Nov 2009
And then there were three.
In August I was chatting with a couple of mates about our predictions for the season and, naturally, we came to the subject of who would finish in the top four.
To my friends' surprise I came up with:
1. Chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. Manchester United
4. Liverpool
My reasoning was thus: I'd seen Chelsea take apart a much-improved Sunderland at the Stadium of Light; Arsenal, despite eventually being beaten, had outplayed an ordinary-looking Manchester United side; and Liverpool appeared overly reliant on their two talismans.
At the time I thought that Liverpool would still have enough to secure fourth spot but now I'm not even sure they'll be strong enough for that. The top half of the league is a much more convoluted place compared to a year ago. Without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, Liverpool's squad is matched by Manchester City, Aston Villa and Spurs, all of whom have a great shot at securing the coveted fourth spot.
For Liverpool fans this must be pretty upsetting. After all the Benitez era started off with “that night in Istanbul”, to use one of Clive Tyldesley's most famous clichés. The Spaniard had cobbled together a squad made up of mediocre players brought in by former boss Gerard Houllier and a smattering of quality new signings and somehow beaten an ageing but dangerous Milan side despite going 3-0 down. True, they were incredibly fortunate to run-out as winners, but the determination of the team and the tactical acumen of Benitez gave considerable hope for the future.
But victory over Milan was a chimera; with the sheen of progress given extra sparkle by last season's second-place finish. Yes, Liverpool had performed well in the run-in, but the four-point gap at the end of the season was a result of Manchester United's stuttering form, rather than Liverpool turning into genuine title contenders.
More importantly, especially with regard to the current campaign, Liverpool's late surge was built on the formidable form of Gerrard and Torres, who scored 13 times in the last ten games. This season they have struggled in the games where one or both have been injured.
Gerrard and Torres are among the handful of genuine world-class players in the Liverpool side, alongside goalkeeper Pepe Reina and defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano. A fifth player, Xabi Alonso was sold to Real Madrid and although you could argue he was moving to a bigger club, Benitez's relentless courtship of Gareth Barry - who he subsequently failed to sign – was probably just as important a factor. Without Alonso, they
Benitez shouldn't be wholly blamed for Liverpool's plight, the behind-the-scenes- bickering between co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks has plunged the club into uncertainty and confusion. Indeed, Hicks admitted to approaching Jurgen Klinsmann about taking over as manager in 2008; an act of treachery that must have unsettled the Spaniard.
Liverpool fans have grown increasingly vocal in their condemnation of the American duo while, thanks to his exploits in Europe, Benitez enjoys the backing of a majority of supporters. Fans often point to the fact that the club is unable to compete financially compete with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in the transfer market, but since Benitez took over he has spent £229million on new players. For every Torres, Reina and Mascherano; there's a Babel, Pennant and Morientes.
Before the season started former Anfield legend Alan Hansen tipped Liverpool for the title. At the time I thought this a little crazy and it is easy, with hindsight, to put it down to loyalties towards his former club. But I guess he had his reasons: Chelsea hadn't added to their squad, Manchester United had lost their best player and Arsenal looked frail defensively. However, Gerrard and Torres together with Benitez's ability to tactically outwit opposition had managed to mask deep-rotted squad problems and uncertainty behind the scenes. Defeats against the likes of Sunderland, Aston Villa and Fulham didn't really seem that shocking under the circumstances and unless there is a rapid improvement Liverpool could see themselves struggling to hold on to fourth place.
Reader views (8)
Hi Barry! My point was why this piece was written or published? Nice as it is to see the media fascinated by us as always, this offers nothing new.
You ask for my thoughts – there’s many factors but no smoking gun:
Investment – net spend in the summer was zero. Rafa was told in May he had 20m to spend. Squad suffers as a result. Rafa's competing with Big 3 (and City) with one hand tied.
Form - Carra, Kuyt, Skrtel, Masch... Overachieved last year perhaps, below par this definitely.
Confidence – after a poor start was fragile, recovered after good wins against poor sides then fell apart in tough away run. Rallied for Utd but struggling since.
Balance - more attacking this year, more open at the back. Hopefully sorted when names return.
Alonso - wanted away, replacement cost 10m less and yet to be seen. We miss Xabi, but I’m in the “he’s gone so deal with it” camp. If Aquilani slots in like Nando it's sorted, if like Babel then Rafa’s facing questions.
Injuries - simply too many not to mention, sorry! Impacts most of the above as well.
In return I'd ask you (and the author) something in return - why are Arsenal still big 4 after recent years? History? Rafa's outperformed Wenger repeatedly since '05, and the kids have still to deliver. Injuries? Investment? In Arsene we trust? Or because they're pretty to watch? Oh, they're having a good season! What about '06, '07, '08?
I've no agenda on AFC, but the question's valid.
(Apologies for the length, but you did ask!)
- Bored Red, London, 12/11/2009 19:39
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"Luckiest teams around" - LOL Graz!! In 2005 we beat the English and Italian Champions (Chelsea and Juventus) in the knock out stages plus Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 who were very strong in Europe at the time.
And for the FA Cup Final in 2006 (at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff) beat United and Chelsea along the way.
I hope that you also believe that United were lucky in 1999 scoring two in the last minute after being outplayed by Bayern Munich or beating Chelsea in Moscow on penalties?
Liverpool have absolutely no devine right to be in the top four and I'm all for a much more competitive league - with the money that the likes of Man City and Totttenham are now spending, plus the amount of foreign investment it's likely to happen.
- Toppo, Cheshire, 12/11/2009 17:37
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the liverpool of recent years have been one of the luckiest teams around, istanbul, wembley 05-06. fed up with them thinking they have a devine right to be up there. havn't the "BIG" four got enough of an advantage over those outside it without bleating endlessly on ? i think it's high time another couple of teams broke into that cartel and upset the applecart. we don't want the premier league ending up like the SPL now do we !
- Graz, aylesbury, 12/11/2009 16:13
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Benitez has spent a net of just over £83m in 5 seasons in charge - an average of £16.6m a year. Mark Hughes has spent more at Man City in the past 12 months than Rafa Benitez has in his 5 year reign so is it any surprise that they should be competeing for a CL place? Similarly, it would be interesting to look at Tottenham's spend under Harry Redknapp.
There's no denying that Benitez made some poor signings - but for every Babel, Morientes and Pennant there's a Nani, Veron, Kleberson or Djemba-Djemba signed by our friends up the East Lancs Road (Paisley 3-2 Ferguson).
Our league positions over the past 5 years and the improvement in our league positions and points totals show the progression.
2004/05: Finished 5th – 58 pts
2005/06: Finished 3rd – 82 pts
2006/07: Finished 3rd – 68 pts
2007/08: Finished 4th – 76 pts
2008/09: Finished 2nd – 86 pts
Myself and fellow fans that go to the games are still very behind Benitez and will continue to support our side throughout a period when they need us most.
Rafa said don't worry, I'll wipe away your tears...
- Toppo, Cheshire, 12/11/2009 14:28
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May I be number 1,000,001 to say "Liverpool aren't very good this season"
OK Bored Red, if we're all too predictable, how about you giving us an insight into why they are where they are.
Remember though, you don't want to be the 2,000,000th Liverpool fan to blame it on injuries and tell us "In Rafa we trust"
- Barry, Welwyn England, 12/11/2009 14:27
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Liverpool are still one of the best teams to watch, win or lose.
Ignore the comments, Bored Red; Liverpool are still the best football team outside of London.
- Mickinlondon, london, 12/11/2009 13:45
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It's great reading about all these "bored reds" not particularly bothered about the current Liverpool demise. After all, they've got "Istanbul" and their 20 year old "Championships" to reminisce about. Happy days around the campfire, eh scousers? Ah! Remember when Rushie scored that goal against......". History...enjoy it, it's all that's left!
- Paul, Feltham, 12/11/2009 13:32
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Congratulations! You've written the 1,000,000th article this last month saying "Liverpool aren't very good this season..."
Pity your article added nothing original to the previous 999,999.
- Bored Red, London, 12/11/2009 12:00
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