I am very pleased with how this season went frankly. Anything
more and it would have been probably classed more as "freak" or
"lucky" again.
If someone had told me after Houllier had left, that Liverpool
would win the CL in Benitez's first season and the next season be
3rd in the EPL and FA Cup Finalists, I would not have believed
them. In fact if it had happened I would think it was just pure
luck.
But then we have followed Benitez and watched the changes he has
rung in Liverpool.
This is a steady progression in the team's capability and still a
work in progress. Liverpool are going from strength to
strength.
There is a certain variablity to their play these days.
i
Instead of the usual fixed defensive counter attack 4-4-2
formations that Houllier played day in and day out, and made
substitutions that were totally predictable and yet fruitless, the
current Liverpool is VERY different.
Rafa has played a variety of formations this season. 4-4-2, 3-5-2,
4-1-4-1, 4-3-3. He's played them all. He has rotated players as
well. During the beginning of the season this did not work well.
The right side was a big hole in the team. HE plugged it up and the
team improved. In the last few games, he has also rotated players
and yet Liverpool are still on a 10 game winning streak despite
this. What does that say?
Even more impressive is that WITHIN games, the formations can
change. According to how the game progresses. The team is
intelligent, able to read the game and follow Benitez's
instructions from the touchline to adapt. Against Villa they played
4-4-2 when not in possession and switched to 4-3-3 when in
possession. Very interesting.
The team is learning.
Benitez has sorted out Liverpool's defence. Liverpool are rock
solid at the back now. The zonal system has been ingrained. This is
the hallmark of Rafa Benitez's teams. Think of Valencia. And this
is where he can go on to build in the midfield and then the
attack.
I think Rafa has almost got the midfield right. The system is
there. Cisse is actually learning how to play right wing better as
the season has gone on. We can all see that.
The last step now is to sign the right remaining players for the
right midfield and some back up for other positions, and frankly I
think the work is done.
We always talk about 5 year plans for new managers when they first
arrive.
1st year is to get a feel of the team and the EPL and usually you
win nothing and would be happy if you even got into Europe much
less the CL.
2nd year is to buy the new players, sell some of the old and
continue building, hoping that you win a domestic cup and get into
Europe and if possible the CL.
3rd year is to further consolidate the work and aim for the CL and
make the best of the domestic cup competitions.
4th year is to be in the CL and start improving to become EPL title
contenders and CL mainstays. If possible win the EPL.
the 5th year is when you go and try to win everything
So right now we are only at the end of the 2nd season of Rafa
Benitez reign in Liverpool
His record reads:
1st year - CL champions, League cup finalists, 5th in EPL,
re-qualified for CL
2nd year - FA cup finalists (maybe winner?), 3rd in EPL (maybe
2nd?), re-qualified for CL
I think his record speaks volumes.
I do think that he's ahead of schedule. And that's a compliment to
him. However the expectations would also be raised.
I would think next season would have the expectations of the 4th
year in a 5 year plan. The goal would be to win the EPL or be the
closest contenders and be a mainstay in the CL.
I really think the following season in 2007/2008 would be the one
Liverpool would be expected to win the EPL and CL again.
Here's to a bright future!
YNWA!
