Much was expected of Kenny Dalglish and his men this season. The club hierarchy and the Kop faithful would have expected the side to book one of the Champions League spots while hoping for a title challenge after spending big and early in last summer’s transfer window. Strong runs in the domestic cups would also have been high on the agenda, especially considering the fact that they had no European commitments of any sort.

Looking back, as the season edges towards a thrilling finale, it’s difficult to judge just how successful or disappointing this year has been for Liverpool FC. Their runs in the domestic cups have been spectacular, with the Carling Cup ending a six-year trophy drought and the possibility of adding the FA Cup to that still very much open as the club prepares for the final. Their league form however, has been amazingly poor. At the time of writing, Dalglish’s side are languishing in 8th place, with 46 points. They’re a whopping 37 points behind league leaders Manchester United, and an incredible 16 away from Newcastle in fourth.

While there is ceaseless, and perhaps perennially inconclusive,  debate among rival fans over the importance of winning trophies vis-a-vis securing a Champions League spot, looking at Liverpool’s league performances in greater detail raises a few searching questions that the Reds will have to answer in the coming months.

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Written by Abhisar Gupta

Abhisar Gupta is a freelance football writer and blogger madly in love with the beautiful game. Having done an MBA from IIM-Lucknow, Abhisar is currently working in the States. He follows European, and especially English, football very closely, and will bring you the best of it through his column in 90 Minutes.