Had a patchy start to the season losing to Chelsea at Anfield on the opening day of the season and then two disappointing 0-0 draws against Villa and Spurs.
then was the Everton game, beating them 3-0 and then many thought this may be the where our season kicks off, but sadly it wasn't to be. A win against Blackburn in the next game, but a costly one with Carrager and Baros suffereing severe injuries, meaning they would both be out for several months.
Inconsistent performances followed, not helped with injuries to key players like Baros and Carra as well as Michael Owen.
By Christmas, the title was practically beyond us with losses to Arsenal, Charlton, Portsmoth, Southampton and Man Utd as well as a very disappionting exit to Bolton in the 4th round of the Carling cup leaving us in 5th and only the UEFA cup and FA cup able to be won. Many fans were calling for Houllier to be sacked as fans could see the possibility of Liverpool missing out on the CL again.
A boxing day victory against Bolton started a run of 4 matches unbeaten in the league, calmed down the talks of a crisis at Anfield.
Then incosistency struck again, losing to Spurs at White Hart Lane 2-1 and then a disappointing draw in Wolverhampton, destroying all the hard work done beforehand and Cl qualification was looking less likely.
Confidence was raised with a good win in the 4th round of the Fa cup agianst Newcastle at Anfield. 2 draws followed this (Bolton and Everton) and then a win at Anfield over Man City leaving us in 4th spot.
Then came one of the lowest points of the season, the FA cup 5th round against Pompey. With the tie at Anfield a win was on the cards, but a frustrating 1-1 draw in a match that Liverpool deserved to win, so it was off to Portsmoth for the replay at Fratton Park the following Sunday.
This match had to be on the most disappointing performances of the season losing 1-0 and being dumped out of the FA Cup by lowly Portsmouth, leaving the Reds with the only chance of silverware being the UEFA cup, and Pompey being undefeated against the Reds so far this season
After the Pompey match, calls for the sacking of Houllier were getting stronger and stronger, with most fans calling for his sacking or resignation.
Qualification for the UEFa cup 4th round was sealed gainst Levski Sofia, with a tricky test against Marseille.
A 1-1 draw at Anfield was followed by a loss to the Saints and then fianlly beating Pompey and then beating Woves with a last minute headed goal from Sami Hyppia sending Anfield into ecstasy. Maybe our luck was changing?
5 days after the wolves game, Liverpool travelled to the Soth of France to play the second leg against Marseille. We lost 2-1 and that meant theere would be no silverware coming to Anfield this season, the fans were fed up and Houllier was receiving immense criticism.
A draw away to Leicester nad then a commanding 4-0 demolition of Blackburn took us into th Arseanl game confident of a result. At HT LFC were leading 2-1 thanks to goals from Owen and Hyppia. Arsenal came out in the 2nd half and showed their quality first thru Pires and then a maginificent solo effort By Henry, who would complete his hat-trick 27 mins later rounding out a 4-2 Arsenal victory in a match that promised so much for Liverpool.
A Disappointing loss to Charlton at anfield followed and then a 0-0 draw with Fulham, meant that 4th spot was slipping away.
Then a scrappy win against Man Utd 1-0 thanks to Murphy pen, sparked a revival with wins over Boro and Birmingham following, putting us back into 4th spot.
Newccastle drew with Wolves at St James and went into the Southhampton gmae needing a win to tkae 4th spot to the last day at Anfield. A cracking game resulted in a 3-3 draw and Liverpool had 4th spot.
A 1-1 draw against Newcastle yesterday closed the season out with a fine goal from Mo from a Brillian Stevie G pass.
Positives to come out of the season have to be the from of Stevie G and at least we got into the Cl 9provided we qualify)
Hopefully next season will be a lot better, with new signings I am optimistic that next season will be a good one, lets hope.
