What a strange season it has been.

It's the last week of April and Liverpool are still involved in things. Not just any things either - the semi-final of the European Cup. Anyone awakening from a coma would immediately jump up, rub their eyes and believe the glory days had returned to Anfield.

Then they would look at the League table.

Everton, above us? Semi-Final of the Champions League?

After the cup final in Cardiff, many reds expected the continued assault on 4th place to be a formality, Everton were looking decidedly shaky, but Liverpool's league performance has been stop-start.

Great performances followed by some absolute dirge. Yet in the Champions League Liverpool have made some strong sides look decidely Sunday League. Bayer Leverkusen were definitely no mugs, as the group stages showed, and Juventus are racing away with the Serie A title!

So what has gone wrong? Injuries have certainly played a part, and in my opinion Milan Baros and Steven Gerrard have seriously underperformed at this late stage of the season. As far as I am concerned the pair of them can go at the end of the season. Both of these players, I feel, think they are bigger than the club. The return of Xabi Alonso has shown only too clearly exactly what an excellent signing he was, and next season he will be the centre-piece of a new Liverpool midfield. After 15 years of attempts at recreating the pass and move philosophy, it may well just be here.

Barring what would be an against-the-odds win in the Champions League the reds will not be in the competition next season. A great shame, both financially and in terms of attracting new talent to the club. But it may just be what we need. This club simply cannot afford to lose the number of league games we do, or draw against poor sides.

August
Bolton away

September
Man Utd away

October
Chelsea away

November
Birmingham home
Portsmouth home (Draw)
Middlesbrough away

December
Everton away

January
Manchester United home
Chelsea home
Southampton away

February
Birmingham away

March
Newcastle away
Blackburn home (Draw)

April
Man City away
Tottenham home (Draw)
Crystal Palace away

I have confidence in Rafael Benitez to improve Liverpool tremendously. The resumption of training two weeks earlier indicates the kind of methodology this coach intends to bring to the club.

Next season we all expect a massive improvement - we can only hope that there is enough funding to bring in the players he requires. The sale of Steven Gerrard may be necessary, not only to help fund the new Liverpool but also to re-create the 'team' ethic.

John, The Editor

Players who can go this summer:

Jerzy Dudek - way too inconsistent
Mauricio Pellegrino - short term cover only
Josemi - never looked good enough
Harry Kewell - lazy
Antonio Nunez - not good enough
Vladimi Smicer - too lightweight
Milan Baros - character?

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