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UsR EXTR3ME · 23-06-2009, 10:27 PM

The pursuit continues: 2008/9 Premier League review

Steven Gerrard came closer to lifting the Premier League title than ever before.

Liverpool came closer than ever to snatching their first Premier League title in a highly dramatic 2008/9 season after finishing second, just two points behind eventual winners Chelsea.

The traditionally-considered optimism surrounding the commencing of the new campaign – and in particular Liverpool’s renewed title challenge – prior to the Reds’ opening day encounter with West Brom at Anfield was as hyped up as ever, but Rafael Benitez’s side opened their season with a confident 3-0 victory.

The hype soon turned into waves of anxiety as Newcastle charged to a 2-0 victory at St. James’ Park, and Man Utd were Liverpool’s next victors at Anfield with a 2-1 win – Wayne Rooney netted a penalty with as little as two minutes remaining to seal a deserved win, albeit in cruel fashion.

The media turned their attention to Benitez’s future as Liverpool manager after a 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the start of September, but the Spaniard responded with a comment about the “needless media attention”, when they should have been “focusing on the pitch”. The team as a whole then took action with a 2-0 home win over Blackburn, and wins over Chelsea and Fulham took them to the Premier League summit at the end of a hugely successful month that saw Benitez crowned Manager of the Month.

Top spot was held for no longer than two weeks however, as Chelsea upped their game in October to overturn the Reds’ dominance. Confidence earned from a tricky 1-0 away win over Arsenal was wasted after Hull visited Anfield and came away with a 3-2 victory.

By November, it was difficult to remember the strong form Liverpool had earlier in the campaign. Defeats against Aston Villa, Man City and Wigan rounded off a miserable month, and the Christmas period was marred by a desperate run of three further defeats against Middlesbrough, Bolton and Everton that left the Reds in a lowly fourth, and with Rafael Benitez’s job once more hanging in the balance.

The turn of the year was a chance to start over, and 2009 did indeed produce confident displays and positive results that hauled Liverpool up to second – a position that would be maintained throughout the rest of the season’s entirety.

This new wave of flair and flamboyance within Liverpool’s play was brought about by a 6-0 thumping of West Brom, who by now were floating in the relegation zone. From thereon, the Reds stormed to wins over Fulham, Portsmouth and Newcastle in a January that saw no transfer market activity from Benitez – widely criticised for his lack of buying whilst in need of players.

Despite another defeat to league holders Man Utd, Liverpool maintained their second place position through frequent confident wins – including a stunning comeback against a dreadfully unlucky Stoke side that started the second half 2-0 up, but went home 3-2 losers. Hull, Aston Villa, Wigan and Tottenham were also beaten by Benitez’s men during March and April. Arsenal snatched a draw with a final-minute Cesc Fabregas goal in early May.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side performed lackluster during many occasions of the season – only performing to their full potential and ability against the top sides - hindering their chances of an automatic Champions League qualifying spot.

A 4-2 win over Sunderland for the Reds meant the final-day fixture at Stamford Bridge between top-dogs Chelsea and Liverpool was vital to the destination of the title. Benitez seemed likely to guide his team to their first Premier League championship in 19 years as they pressed early on, but a Frank Lampard double sealed the Blues’ first title since the days of Jose Mourinho, and Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first in his debut year.

Liverpool’s quest for domestic dominance persists. Chelsea were just too good this time.

23-06-2009, 10:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
UsR EXTR3ME Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Winchester, UK Age: 16 Gender: Male Posts: 4,051 Blog Entries: 5	The pursuit continues: 2008/9 Premier League review Steven Gerrard came closer to lifting the Premier League title than ever before. Liverpool came closer than ever to snatching their first Premier League title in a highly dramatic 2008/9 season after finishing second, just two points behind eventual winners Chelsea. The traditionally-considered optimism surrounding the commencing of the new campaign – and in particular Liverpool’s renewed title challenge – prior to the Reds’ opening day encounter with West Brom at Anfield was as hyped up as ever, but Rafael Benitez’s side opened their season with a confident 3-0 victory. The hype soon turned into waves of anxiety as Newcastle charged to a 2-0 victory at St. James’ Park, and Man Utd were Liverpool’s next victors at Anfield with a 2-1 win – Wayne Rooney netted a penalty with as little as two minutes remaining to seal a deserved win, albeit in cruel fashion. The media turned their attention to Benitez’s future as Liverpool manager after a 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the start of September, but the Spaniard responded with a comment about the “needless media attention”, when they should have been “focusing on the pitch”. The team as a whole then took action with a 2-0 home win over Blackburn, and wins over Chelsea and Fulham took them to the Premier League summit at the end of a hugely successful month that saw Benitez crowned Manager of the Month. Top spot was held for no longer than two weeks however, as Chelsea upped their game in October to overturn the Reds’ dominance. Confidence earned from a tricky 1-0 away win over Arsenal was wasted after Hull visited Anfield and came away with a 3-2 victory. By November, it was difficult to remember the strong form Liverpool had earlier in the campaign. Defeats against Aston Villa, Man City and Wigan rounded off a miserable month, and the Christmas period was marred by a desperate run of three further defeats against Middlesbrough, Bolton and Everton that left the Reds in a lowly fourth, and with Rafael Benitez’s job once more hanging in the balance. The turn of the year was a chance to start over, and 2009 did indeed produce confident displays and positive results that hauled Liverpool up to second – a position that would be maintained throughout the rest of the season’s entirety. This new wave of flair and flamboyance within Liverpool’s play was brought about by a 6-0 thumping of West Brom, who by now were floating in the relegation zone. From thereon, the Reds stormed to wins over Fulham, Portsmouth and Newcastle in a January that saw no transfer market activity from Benitez – widely criticised for his lack of buying whilst in need of players. Despite another defeat to league holders Man Utd, Liverpool maintained their second place position through frequent confident wins – including a stunning comeback against a dreadfully unlucky Stoke side that started the second half 2-0 up, but went home 3-2 losers. Hull, Aston Villa, Wigan and Tottenham were also beaten by Benitez’s men during March and April. Arsenal snatched a draw with a final-minute Cesc Fabregas goal in early May. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side performed lackluster during many occasions of the season – only performing to their full potential and ability against the top sides - hindering their chances of an automatic Champions League qualifying spot. A 4-2 win over Sunderland for the Reds meant the final-day fixture at Stamford Bridge between top-dogs Chelsea and Liverpool was vital to the destination of the title. Benitez seemed likely to guide his team to their first Premier League championship in 19 years as they pressed early on, but a Frank Lampard double sealed the Blues’ first title since the days of Jose Mourinho, and Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first in his debut year. Liverpool’s quest for domestic dominance persists. Chelsea were just too good this time. Last edited by UsR EXTR3ME; 07-07-2009 at 11:17 PM..