Liverpool’s season ended in disappointment with their second straight defeat as they missed out on European football thanks to a Stewart Downing first half strike.
Liverpool’s Premier League campaign reached it’s end against in form Aston Villa, and the team-news landed an immediate surprise with the inclusion of Joe Cole in a rare start for the reds.
The opening exchanges of the game were timid affairs – with the bulk of the excitement in the Liverpool supporters end of the ground – as the fans were joined by Steven Gerrard in the crowd.
The reds were forced in to a 10th minute reshuffle after Jay Spearing took the full force of Nigel Reo-Coker’s studs in to his right foot. The player hobbled off to be replaced by Jonjo Shelvey.
A brief spell of football resumed, with a Raul Meireles corner finding Lucas Leiva who fired goalbound, only to see the ball cleared just in front of the line.
Moments later a Petrov shot was blocked by Jamie Carragher, who then noticed blood pouring from above his eye. He headed off for some stitches as the reds rearranged the defence whilst temporarily down to 10 men.
With Carra back and bandaged up though, the reds almost immediately found themselves behind when Aurelio allowed a cross in for Stewart Downing to put Villa ahead just past the half hour.
Liverpool started the second half a little brighter and the game opened up. Meireles and Suarez both had glorious chances for the reds, but at the other end Darren Bent became more involved in the game.
Despite the more free-flowing nature of the second half there were no further goals in the game, and with Spurs and Birmingham drawing, the reds missed an opportunity to make it to 5th place.
A disappointing season for Liverpool ends with two defeats in the final two games, and the reds end the season on 58 points, five less than last season – albeit finishing a place higher in 6th.
Liverpool’s Premier League campaign is an exact replica of that of 2004/05 in terms of wins, draws and defeats. That season was Rafa’s first although the pain was eased a few weeks later with a European Cup victory in Istanbul.
Liverpool fans must now look ahead to the coming season, and hoping that we achieve much more than a dismal 25 points from our opening 20 matches.
I agree with Rsm that we need more then three players to even compete with the top four. Steve Clarke is so wrong in insisting that our current squad is anywhere near the required level though our style of play under Kenny is much more entertaining.
I expect atleast five top signings and an equal number of departures if not more heading for the exit. We need to sign quality not quantity as we have enough squad players.
I reckon it was in our best interest not to qualify for europe
From the way the match pan out, we need more than 3 new players to do well next season. The good thing is we are not in Europa.
I think Shelvey will not cut it in the pass and move game. He like to hoof the ball up field. He need to change the way he pass the ball.
That’s a bit unfair to point to this match as a reference point to where we are… we were missing half of our starting squad. Did you see our bench? It was slim pickings to say the least. I think 3 players of TOTAL QUALITY would be just about right. A right winger, a left winger and a left back. If we could get world class (or at least elite Premiership class) players in those positions, we’ll be looking good. Without Gerrard, Carroll, Johnson, Maxi (believe it or not!) and Agger, we were lacking quality and options on the pitch. Raul Meireles was also playing at MAYBE 75% percent fitness, as well. That’s the fault of injuries, not where our squad is REALLY at.