The way the season has panned out for Liverpool has not been as planned. What did the pundits predict?
Mark Bright is the unfortunate man whose credibility has been shot to pieces by Liverpool’s dismal league form, predicting they would go on to win it this season.
Others were more cautious, but most Liverpool fans even would have rightly believed the club could claim a top four place, making this season even more frustrating.
It certainly makes interesting reading to look back and remember the optimism, compared to the malaise which has seen the club drop to eighth place, behind Everton. Here’s what was said…
Mark Bright: “Liverpool finished 22 points behind United last season but only Sir Alex Ferguson amassed more points than Kenny Dalglish since the ‘king’ took over from Roy Hodgson.
“Why will they win it? The Reds have four players who could grace any team in the Premier League: Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, then add to the mix promising youngsters like John Flanagan, new faces like Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing plus team spirit, desire and 21 years of hurt.”
Liverpool Daily Post: “Having seen their team largely neglect the domestic knockout competitions in recent years, supporters will demand a lengthy run in either the FA or League Cup, and hope of a return to Wembley for the first time in, remarkably, more than 15 years. After months and years of uncertainty, the smiles are back on faces at Anfield.”
Phil McNulty, BBC: “I expect Liverpool to seriously threaten Arsenal and Spurs for fourth place – and well worth a few pounds of anyone’s money to win a cup without the added fixture congestion of the Europa League. – Prediction: 4th”
The Guardian: “Shoulders shrugged when Downing signed yet Liverpool have required a consistent, natural wide player for several years. Along with Adam, he ensures there can be few excuses for Carroll not developing into the centre-forward Dalglish believes he can be – Prediction: 4th.”
Robbie Savage: “The Kenny Dalglish factor at Anfield will push Liverpool into the top four because, unlike Arsenal, they are a club players want to join not leave.”
So, we all get it wrong from time to time. Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish will hope to prove next season’s doubters wrong by bouncing back better than ever.
What did you predict for 2011/12?
image: © helly – b
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