Commendably written posts without malice in reply. But LFC fans need to put to bed the myth of last season’s “progress” heralding this season’s title. It isn’t and it never was.
Your best chance was last season and Benitez blew it. Gung-ho-ish post-Christmas with nowt else to distract wasn’t a masterstroke by him. It was an obvious last resort.
What happened before is of more interest and displayed all the flaws of a manager who will never win an English top division championship. I’m not just being anti-Liverpool in saying that, I genuinely believe Benitez is not up to the task; and I’ve been saying why for over 2 years.
Lose 2 games from 3 after losing only 2 throughout all of last season isn’t the real issue here, either. It matters, of course it does, but even the dropped points last time against Stoke City et al being rectified this season doesn’t have the relevance LFC supporters like to think it does. If indeed all those dropped points are converted into 3s this season anyway.
What is most telling for me is the fact Liverpool took maximum points from United and Chelsea last season and STILL didn’t win the title. This is highly unlikely to happen again – and I don’t just mean this time around.

I think I can, yes. Over the last 3 seasons Liverpool have come very good after Xmas (often finishing the season as strong if not better than anyone).

Losing twice already doesn’t concern me as much as the fact that we do desperately need another striker (so that Gerrard can go back and play in Alonso’s old position instead of as a supporting forward) and the club don’t seem to have any money this season to buy one.

Anyway, we have a pretty straight forward run of games now right up until Chelsea away so I expect a recovery of results and form leading up to that game.

P.S. Oh and I’ll take a £100 bet with anyone on this board right now who thinks Liverpool will not finish inside the Top 4

You make several valid points and I agree wholeheartedly with your assesment of Rafa Benitez.

Liverpool have now as many games in the opening month as they did in the whole of 2008-09. Fact.

Just look at your bench…and look at Spurs’ bench, if you cannot bear seeing Owen on our bench.

Liverpool’s first team (and squad) is not a strong as last year, which by definition means that unless Aquilani comes in and takes it by storm we may not improve on last season. Accepted.

But to suggest that we will struggle for a top 4 finish is at best wishful thinking on your behalf.

Apart from Alonso (who admittedly will be missed) this is still the team that went through all of last season only losing twice.