Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is confident they will close the gap on Premier League champions Manchester United.
The Spaniard, who finally feels he has the control he needs at the club after signing a new contract in March, believes last season has laid the foundations for a new era at Anfield.
United claimed an 18th top-flight title to draw level with Liverpool, who came closer than they have ever done to ending their 19-year championship drought.
Benitez's side lost just twice and finished with 86 points - which was four behind their arch-rivals and their best Premier League return. The Spaniard, who celebrates five years in charge on Tuesday, finally broke his hoodoo over United with two league victories and senses a change in fortunes.
"If you analyse the number of points you see it's a record for the club in the Premier League," he said. "We are going forward, we are progressing. For the future this is good news and hopefully this is the beginning of something important.
"In terms of the consistency of the team we've been really good. The squad is better, the mentality is very good and the players are competing for their positions."
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Yes utd were the better team..just. But the squad with all their money is why they are top, now they have £100m to spend, so its going to be tough but if torres & gerrard stay fit it can be done. Anyway utd have had 20 years of Liverpool not winning the league, and still utd are not the most successful club, ow my god how superior liverpool have been, also fergie was so adamant he was going to win the european cup against barca ow have it must have felt when they outclassed him to a point of embarrasment. On selling ronaldo fergie said he 'wouldn't sell to that mob' and 'i wouldnt sell them a virus' ow dear what a fool and bull*&%tter he is. No dignity like Paisley had.(3 european cups in 9 years) and no knighthood , just shows what an arse football is today!
ALL THE BEST, LIVERPOOL HOPE YOU WIN THE YAHOO LEAGUE AGAIN,THATS ALL YOU WILL WIN, YOU BUNCH OF RAT MUNCHING,LOSERS
If certain cretins on this site could understand what they have read. They would conclude that Manchester United are the benchmark that liverpool are chasing due to the fact they have won the premiership title for three consecutive seasons. This is not to say other top teams are in the chase. We will all have to wait for what could be one of the most competetive seasons ever in the premiership. Go on Liverpool build on last seasons excellent effort.
I don't understand at all if Rafa thinks the Premier league is a two team competition.
Benitez should be running mad with Man Utd on his lips. I hope Benitez does not forget that during the 19years Arsenal and Chelsea also lifted the Premiership trophy.
What does it mean? If United loses then it's for Liverpool? No, no, no Benitez is running mad. United will not sleep and see their Crown taken and they will have to defend it just like they did in the Premier and Champions League last season. If they fail, then it's normal and does not mean it will automatically be for Liverpool. If I am to bet, after that impressive season where they managed to be second, Liverpool will fight this time to be in number four. Come September and we see.
Analysis. United 90 points. Liverpool 86 points. End of story.
HA HA HA HA LIVERPOOL 6 V 2 MAN UTD HA HA HA HA HA HA
LIVERPOOL ARE THE BEST
NEXT SEASON LIVERPOOL PTS 96 GOALS 85 LIVERPOOL ARE THE BEST YNWA YNWA YNWA YNWA YNWA PS MAN UTD WILL BE NO WHERE HA HA HA
NEXT SEASON LIVERPOOL PTS 96 GOALS 85 LIVERPOOL ARE THE BEST YNWA YNWA YNWA YNWA YNWA PS MAN UTD WILL BE NO WHERE HA HA HA
yes rafa liverpool had their best ever premiership season 86 points is pretty impressive - however it was still 4 points fewer than the winners - which is why liverpool finished second. any analysis must take into account the number of drawn games liverpool were involved in - a statistic which can be traced directly to rafa's instinctively cautious approach. my verdict: liverpool will still be waiting this time next year unless they change the coach.
well obviousley xtorresx is going to take the top scorer in the pl and liverpool are going to the top!!!!
Amazing that so many of the Manure supporters lead such boring lives that they have nothing better to do than come on this thread to spit their venom...... truly sad!
the only reason rafa is still in the job is because they havn't got enough money to sack and get another manager. gerrards on reals hit list and torres is on barca's so 8th spot looms. dreamers
it is time for a new sheriff in the EPL
sir "rednose" fergeson, your time is up !
lord rafa is now in charge...
with a team with the hearts of spartans and knowning
it is time to destoy the red devil and it`s worshippers ...
long live liverpool football team
Man Utd are just sore because they didn't manage to beat Liverpool this season. Next season we won't only beat you in out matches, but we'll beat you on points too.
DREAM ON RAFA,THAT IS ALL YOU WOULD DO --CLOSE BUT YOU WILL NEVER GET THERE.YOU HAV NT GOT THE BRAINS LIKE ARSENE WENGER OR THE SPECIAL ONE(JOSE)YOU CRY THAT U HAV NT BEEN GIVEN ENOUGH TO SPEND BUT WHEN YOU GET THE MONEY YOU MAKE ALL THE BOO BOOS WITH YOUR CRAPPY INVESTING
losers....u lost ronaldo...ur losing tevez....ur even losing ur minds and ferguson the old @#$% will lose his brains as he's goin senile......F*())*&kin losers!!!
WHAT PLANET IS THAT @#$%-HEAD ON...GET A LIFE RAFA...RED DEVILS WILL BE ONCE MORE ON TOP WHERE THEY BELONG.
and u moose will win biggst kkunt of the yr. hands down.
Beneathus by name, beneathus by nature. That's a FACT Rafa! The only thing you'll win is the 2010 Fat Spanish Waiter Of The Year award. I thank you.
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