Put yourself back around 3 years.
Liverpool had just finished a campaign which saw them come the closest yet to winning the Premier League title. The reds went on a run of 14 games unbeaten but too many draws cost Liverpool the title, losing out to Manchester United. The season of 2008-09 included a double over the league winners and also managed to end Chelsea's 86 game unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool finished 2008 at the top of the league for the first time since 1996 however were unable to hold their position through to the end. Just a few weeks after missing a draw at Arsenal due to a Kidney Stone Operation, Rafa led the infamous attack on Ferguson.
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Fergie had the last laugh after Benitez
failed to win the League. |
After completing a 4-0 win over Madrid, Benitez signed a new contract in March 2009. Once Benitez long term commitment was tied down, high hopes lay ahead for the following season and his final season in charge of the Reds. During the summer prior to the 09-10 season, Xabi Alonso was sold to Real Madrid and was replaced by Alberto Aquilani and Lucas Leiva. Liverpool's worst run in the league for 22 years ended in a 7th place finish, and another year without a trophy after an early Champions League exit. Benitez agreed to leave by 'mutual consent' after a £6 million pay off and later reportedly donated £96,000 to the Hillsbrough Family Support Group.
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| Fans March against owners Hicks and Gillett. |
Despite an offer from club legend King Kenny, Rafa's replacement was the then Fulham boss Roy Hodgson. He failed to bring in 'big names' and instead signed players which included Joe Cole, Jovanovic and the height of all midfield talent, Christian Poulsen. An incredibly disappointing start to the season led to elimination from the League Cup after losing on penalties to League 2 struggle's Northampton Town. His reign worsened when a 2-1 defeat to Blackpool meant Liverpool dropped into the bottom three and forced Hodgson to admit the reds were in a potential relegation battle.
It's fair to say Hodgson's tenure was made more difficult after the ongoing struggle with Cowboy's Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Liverpool FC were in touching distant of Administration when high court judge Mr Justice Floyd ruled in favour of the creditors and allowed FSG to complete the purchase on 15th October 2010.
The poor list of results rolled in for Hodgson and a 3-1 loss at Blackburn sealed his fate as, the original fan favorite to replace Benitez, Kenny Dalglish was brought in to finish the rest of the season.
The form soon changed and an impressive win over united (3-1) led the reds to a 6th place finish. Increasing fan pressure forced Henry into handing Dalglish the job on a long term deal. By the end two finals and a Carling Cup victory weren't enough for Kenny to keep his job and was sacked soon after a final day defeat to Swansea.
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| Rodgers appointed as New LFC boss. |
On Friday it was announced that the new boss would be the Swansea boss, Brendan Rodgers. He holds experience with Top players after management in the Chelsea academy and Reserve team. Rodgers also managed to bring Swansea up from the Championship and secured their place in the 2012-13 Premier League Season. After an assured first interview for LFC and promising mindset, high hopes are in place for the future of LFC, though Rodgers reminded fans to remain realistic with expectations.
For those worried that the new boss is coming from a small club, remember Shankly from Huddersfield and on his last game won 1-0 over the Reds, like Brendan Rodgers did on his last game in charge of Swansea.
