With the end of Liverpool’s competitive season now over and just two meaningless matches left in the Premier League, critics and supporters have concluded that manager Rafael Benitez and his team have let the season slip away with nothing to show.

In terms of trophies this may be true but for Liverpool fans all over the world, much can be taken out of the season just passed.

'As long as Benitez is retained the season may go down as one of the most important in the club's magnificent history'


After three-and-a-half seasons of failed rotation, a 1-0 FA Cup loss to Championship side Barnsley in February proved to be the final straw for the tactic and a new policy and formation were developed, to results the supporters wished to see from the opening day at Aston Villa.

The new formation adopted was a 4-2-3-1 with captain Steven Gerrard playing behind Fernando Torres. Finally, it seems, Benitez has found a steady position for his inspirational leader that, although minimising his time on the ball, has proven to be much more efficient.

The purchase of Torres has enabled the manager to allow Gerrard to play in a position he enjoys with the man they call El Nino a shining light up front this season with over 30 goals - 22 in the league.

Together they have produced over 50 percent of the Reds’ goals in the Premier League and have an understanding that usually takes years to develop. Torres’ stellar season leading the attack is the brightest spot in Liverpool’s season.

It is expected that strikers, especially from Spain, take a while to acclimatise to the conditions of English football. Some never do. Just look at the first Fernando to grace Anfield Road, Senor Morientes. After a season and a half of failure following his arrival, he was shipped back home, and is once again producing performances that seemed to warrant his initial purchase.

Liverpool’s strike force has been the scene of much culling under the Benitez reign and this looks set to continue. Andriy Voronin is tipped to leave after arriving on a Bosman last summer, joining the likes of Morientes, Djibril Cisse, Craig Bellamy and Anthony Le Tallec. Voronin has played well at times, especially in the opening weeks, but although injured for a large portion of the season, he has proven that he isn’t up to the consistent standard of a top-four club in England, Spain or Italy and will surely be transferred from the club.

Speculation about the future of England international Peter Crouch has also been rife since the acquisition of Torres and it is expected that he will decide to leave for a club where he will star rather than play the role of spectator to a magician. However, Benitez is not too keen on letting his giant leave and has already offered Crouch a contract extension, pledging his desire to keep him at Melwood and has left the door open for a dream partnership with Torres, selecting him in the crucial Champions League quarter-final clash against Arsenal.

Following the Barnsley match, Dirk Kuyt has rejuvenated himself as a right-winger and his work rate has become an integral component in Benitez’s preferred starting line-up, keeping out the impressive Jermaine Pennant, who after a long injury lay off has started to recapture the form of early season when he was pushing for England selection.

Ryan Babel has produced moments of brilliance, his barnstorming, match-winning run against Arsenal and yesterday’s cracker from midfield, in particular, but has admitted that he is still acclimatising to the intense physicality of the English game. Ultimately, the next Thierry Henry will become an integral part of Liverpool’s starting XI. However, dependant on Crouch’s future, Babel could be thrust into the role of assistant to Torres, playing up front with the Spaniard, where he will likely end up in years to come.

Javier Mascherano has stepped up a level this season, with his loan move from West Ham finally made permanent in early February. His despicable behaviour against Manchester United aside, he has become arguably the best holding midfielder in the world. The new formation has left him having less to do, with Xabi Alonso covering one half of the pitch for him, and two have struck up a combination as good as any in Europe. Lucas Leiva has been excellent back-up with his performances against Newcastle and Inter Milan showing that he has the class to step up and challenge for a spot.

Yossi Benayoun is another magnificent acquisition in the transfer market and was instrumental in Liverpool’s Champion’s League success. The Torres goal last night was a result of his pure brilliance and strength to stay upright when many lesser players would have gone down. He will be in the mind of Benitez at every team selection for years to come. Harry Kewell on the other hand seems to be the forgotten man of Anfield. With his contract expiring at seasons end, it is more than likely that Reds fans have seen the end of Kewell’s injury-ruined spell on the Merseyside.

In defence, full-back, Alvaro Arbeloa has proven why he was a magnificent purchase on the right, his form being rewarded with a Spanish call up from Luis Aragones. Fabio Aurelio has also made left back his own, keeping John Arne Riise out of team when fit. Riise is another who fans may see the last of this season, with his contract up next year, Benitez looks set to catch in on a man who has served the club well in his time. Steve Finnan’s career must surely be drawing to a close now, barely playing in 2008 with centre-back Jamie Carragher being employed there at times instead.

Carragher has enjoyed another fine year at the back, although he has had too many partners for Benitez to be satisfied. With Daniel Agger out injured since September, Sami Hyypia stepped in for the majority of matches in 2007 with distinction and typical Hyypia flair. But the ageing body of the Finn could not play every match and Arbeloa and youngster Jack Hobbs stepping in sporadically to ease the load. Hobbs played well and will return after a loan spell with a bright future ahead. Martin Skrtel was acquired in January from Zenit St Petersburg and has lived up to the expectations of the club’s most expensive defender. He has adjusted well to English life but will have strong competition next season to keep his position from the returning Agger.

Pepe Reina will be the best goalkeeper in England for the third season in a row – as long as he has been playing – but Benitez will be pushing for sterner competition from the returning Scott Carson and Charles Itandje.

Looking back in five years, it is extremely possible that fans will say that 2007-8 was the season the club had to experience. Fears of becoming static in the league have been abolished and after pending possible transfers, especially on the left, Benitez has finally found the right squad and starting line up to be genuine contenders instead of massive flops.

As long as he is retained the season may go down as one of the most important in the club's magnificent history.