By Ollie Irish
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Liverpool were supposed to contend for the Premier League and Champions League titles this season. In the end they didn’t get close to either. Why? For all Rafa’s tactical intelligence, he has left himself with a decent first XI (when everyone is fit) but a very weak squad. Degen, El Zhar, Krygiakos? These are not top-class players, in anyone’s book. El Zhar wouldn’t look out of place in the Championship.
For what it’s worth I thought they were rather unlucky last night. Replace a thoroughbred (Torres) with a workhorse (Kuyt) and the result is obvious – you struggle to convert any chances you create. On the plus side for Liverpool, Alberto Aquilaini looks to be finding his feet and scored a tidy goal, whilst Lucas was superb in the Makelele role. Even Ryan Babel looked like he cared, and about forking time too. Steven Gerrard looks in good nick as well, although like his team-mates, he seemed to run out of gas after about 70 minutes.
You knew it would be Reyes or Forlan, a couple of Prem failures (in the blinkered eyes of most British pundits), who punished Liverpool, and they teamed up for Atletico’s crucial away goal. Side note: Bloody hell, Forlan is RIPPED. Not much fat on him. But I guess when you look like an animated witch, you’re gonna work on your abs.
Oh, and if Chelsea pay any more than £20m for Aguero, they’ve been robbed.