The season of 2007/08 came to a close with the regular teams inhabiting the upper echelon of the league. However these microcosmic finishing positions were not predictable and fluctuated vastly throughout the competition. The 'Big Four' is now an established phrase which is used for observation, praise or resentment. Nevertheless this is the reality of football in this Premier League era and is now the bare minimum for the privileged few. This raises the current perennial issue for Liverpool FC fans of winning the league title, which has not been achieved since 1989/90, and therefore the need for upward movement from #4 to #1.Last season saw the Gunners dominate the table for months, leading the way and setting the standard. The team was performing excellently on the pitch with new signings dovetailing comfortably and the young players coming to the forefront of the squad and impressing the nation. They employed an attractive style as always, but had the proficient finishing capabilities of Adebayor and high quality appearances from captain-in-the-making Cesc Fabregas. They had a massive points lead and looked favourites to march on and claim the prize.
But multiple circumstances contributed to their form wobbling, involving injuries (eg. Eduardo, Rosicky), petulant and uncharacteristic behaviour from players and general physical burn out as Arsenal maintained a small squad. Their confidence plummeted and naturally their league position was adversely affected with irreparable consequences. The chasing duo were able to capitalise and exploit this weakness, cruising above and beyond them, and participating in a winner-takes-all contest on the last match day. The fact remains that many in the media and on the street assumed Arsenal could not relinquish such a powerful lead at such a pivotable time in the season, and seemed imperious to exterior pressure. They seemed to pull together as a community of young professionals enjoying their football and pleasing the fans in the plush 60,000 seater Emirates Stadium during the season. But this camaraderie soon evaporated coming into the latter of the New Year, revealing a lack of depth or experienced leadership, rendering the overall unit frail and vulnerable.
Now forecast this situation 7 months into the future with Liverpool FC reigning supreme. The fans would be boasting weekly about the prowess and brilliance of our mighty club. Benitez and the players would be lauded throughout the city and national press, with the team surviving the gruelling month of January and shattering previous records and preconceptions. Notions that the wait is over and "the one the fans want" will be resting in the Anfield trophy cabinet by May would be rife, and the image of Gerrard raising the cup aloft would be anticipated with insuppressible glee.
Except from such a high vantage point, the drop can be as painful and disastrous as the rise was joyful and euphoric. Liverpool FC take a turn for the worst, and the table position tumbles downwards, with our rivals, who were waiting patiently in the wings, strike and take the lead. This would be heart breaking and the fans would be distraught, with the press inevitably publishing recent LFC-centric adages of failure and underachievement. However the anti-Benitez brigade, who thus far would have been silent and passive, will come out of the woodwork and pile on the blame. They would indulge in recruiting discontent supporters to boost their numbers and creating a snowball effect inflating their influence with fickle floating/swing 'voters' (who if not agitated would reflect, conciliate and reaffirm allegiance to the manager a few weeks later). Fan morale would be at an all time low and the Spaniard would be desperate for aid, which has previously been forthcoming, with banners and active parades being formed in the streets.
It is currently prevalent that there are divides among fans over the managerial occupancy of our club and such a projected event would be indicative of the owners (whom ever they be) to act swiftly and be reactive to vociferous fan lobbying. I would denounce such a hasty and emotional procedure which would not warrant the dedication and hard work done by Rafa for 5 years concerning the club structure as a whole. Such an occurence would have serious basis and fault must be attributed to many concerned. Benitez should not be immune to criticism or adversary, however simultaneous not condemned unjustly and made a scapegoat by people joining the latest bandwagon, which we are all prone to do.
To conclude, I am simply pontificating on a realistic issue that may arise and simulating what I think would result in such an event, as occurred last season, but with less extreme ramifications. I hope such a performance in the league campaign would be seen as a significant improvement and signal progress towards gaining the elusive top honours, and not be vilified and used as a weapon to radically oust Benitez from the club. Maintaining top spot for a prolonged time should be rewarded and encouraged and hopefully the title is brought back to L3 as soon as possible.
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