8th in the Premier League
FA Cup finalists
Carling Cup winners.
Two cup finals. One cup. 8th in the Premier League. Was the 2011-12 season any good for Liverpool Football Club?
The season begun with optimism; Kenny Dalglish had led Liverpool back to contention towards the end of the 2010-11 season as the team bagged plenty of goals playing some free-flowing football.
Dalglish added to the squad; Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique, Charlie Adam, Craig Bellamy and Doni.
None of the signings were touted as being 'World class'.
Henderson had just led the English U-21 team to a decent showing in the Euros.
Downing had a good season with Villa. He had a few good seasons in the lead up to this season.
Jose Enrique was solid for Newcastle at left back.
Charlie Adam showed tremendous commitment at Blackpool. His passing and set pieces were of the finest quality at the relegated club.
Craig Bellamy was unwanted by Manchester City. Liverpool needed a replacement for David Ngog.
Doni, who had been Roma's number one for a short while, was a decent number two to bring to Anfield.
These guys joined a squad that consisted of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson, Lucas Leiva, Dirk Kuyt, Dan Agger, Martin Skrtel, Andy Carroll and Jose Reina.
Plenty of reason to be optimistic?
Downing can cross for Carroll.
Adam's delivery can be tailor made for Carroll.
Gerrard can deliver for Carroll. Gerrard can strike an understanding with Suarez.
Adam and Gerrard together can be lethal.
Henderson can learn under Gerrard.
Bellamy can combine with Kuyt. Just like the duo did in 2006-07.
And many more if only's were thought of.
August provided plenty of reason to be optimistic.
An opening day draw against Sunderland. A missed penalty by Suarez was forgotten as the man himself gave Liverpool the lead at Anfield. Larsson equalised. Downing almost scored a Messi like goal, but the woodwork denied the English winger. This was just the trailer.
Liverpool then travelled to North London. They beat Arsenal for the first time at the Emirates.
A 3-1 home win against Bolton followed, as Liverpool went top on Saturday night. Goals from Henderson, Skrtel and Adam.
September got Liverpool fans back on the ground.
A 1-0 defeat to Stoke. Henderson missed two one on ones. Carragher committed a 'foul' on Walters. Walters scored the penalty. Stoke won.
A 4-0 defeat to Spurs. Adam was sent off. Skrtel was sent off. Liverpool were absolutely crap.
The Carling Cup campaign begun with a 2-1 win at Brighton. Liverpool then won 2-1 at home to Wolves.
October got things going again.
Big Andy and Suarez scored as Liverpool beat Everton at Goodison. Kuyt missed a penalty. Adam hit the woodwork.
Liverpool then dominated the champions at home, only for Chicharito to grab an equaliser and make it 1-1. In between Suarez and Evra decided to have a verbal battle. The outcome of the battle would be revealed later.
Liverpool then dominated Norwich at home. Norwich somehow managed a draw.
The Carling Cup campaign continued. Suarez showed his magic as his brace got Liverpool a rare away victory at the Britannia.
Liverpool then travelled to Uncle Roy's West Brom. Big Andy and Charlie provided the goals in a 2-0 win. Downing hit the post.
Carried on in November.
A 0-0 draw at home to Swansea wasn't what fans expected. Carroll missed from a few yards out. Suarez hit the woodwork.
Maxi Rodriguez and Glen Johnson then ensured that Torres was forgotten as the team won again at Stamford Bridge.
Buoyed by that win, Liverpool entertained league leaders Manchester City at home. Kompany gave City the lead. Adam's Lampard-like goal then provided the equaliser. Joe Hart was at his best after that, as he denied Carroll and Adam repeatedly.
Liverpool ended November with a 2-0 win again at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup. Chelsea's Carling Cup run ended. Lucas' season ended as he was injured in the game.
The year end?
Spearing saw red as Liverpool went down at Fulham. Henderson and Downing did manage to hit the woodwork here too. Suarez decided to show the finger to some Fulham supporters here.
A 1-0 home win against QPR then followed.
The impressive away record continued as Liverpool scored 2 in the opening 20 minutes at Villa Park. The 2-0 win consisted of Suarez hitting the woodwork.
Wigan followed. Al-Habsi denied Adam from the penalty spot. Liverpool drew 0-0 in a game they dominated.
Blackburn then managed a 1-1 draw at Anfield courtesy an Adam own goal. Maxi saved the blushes with a late equaliser.
Gerrard then returned as Liverpool beat a high-flying Newcastle 3-1 at Anfield.
The year ended with news of Suarez's eight game ban. An added one game ban came because of his actions at Fulham.
January: A sign of things to come?
Downing could've started 2012 for Liverpool on a high. He scuffed his one-on-one chance with Joe Hart in the first 10 minutes at 0-0. City went on to win 3-0. Aguero opened the scoring. Reina opened his bloopers account for the season with a howler.
The FA Cup campaign got underway with a 5-1 home win against Oldham. Downing and Carroll got onto the scoresheet.
Steven Gerrard then scored as Liverpool beat City at the Eithad Stadium in the first leg of the Carling Cup.
A 0-0 home draw against Stoke followed.
Bolton then got all three points against Liverpool. The performance was called a disgrace by King Kenny.
Craig Bellamy then returned to haunt City. His equaliser at Anfield meant Liverpool advanced to the Carling Cup final.
Then Liverpool took on United. Dirk Kuyt's late winner ensured Liverpool advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup. With City already eliminated and United taken out, Liverpool sensed a chance here.
The FA Cup win was built on with a 3-0 away victory at Wolves. Big Andy managed one of the three goals.
February: Reason to cheer?
Luis Suarez's ban ended as he came on as a substitute in a 0-0 draw against Spurs. He should've bagged a goal in this game, but he couldn't score with a free header.
Then came the handshake gate. Suarez didn't shake hands with Evra. Suarez did score at Old Trafford. But Rooney scored two. United won 2-1.
Liverpool then scored six past Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round.
The cup drought came to an end as Liverpool beat Cardiff on penalties.
March: The slide starts
Gerrard's injury problems returned as he missed the home tie against Arsenal. Kuyt missed a penalty. Suarez missed plenty of chances. Van Persie scored the two chances he got. Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1.
Sunderland then beat Liverpool 1-0 at home. No beachball was needed here.
Gerrard then returned with a hat-trick as Liverpool beat Everton 3-0.
The FA Cup success continued as Suarez and Downing scored to give Liverpool a 2-1 win to Stoke. Old boy Crouch scored for Stoke in this one.
Sebastian Coates scored Liverpool's goal of the season as Liverpool took a 2-0 lead against Queen Park Rangers. Old boy Cisse then scored as QPR came back to win the game 3-2 in the last 15 minutes.
Wigan then came to Anfield. Wigan then won at Anfield.
April: What's going on?
Carroll decided to dive when it was easier from him to score. Cisse decided to show Carroll what a number 9 does. Reina decided to headbutt Perch. Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-0.
Aston Villa then held Liverpool at home. One of the many games at Anfield this season where Liverpool didn't take the chances they created.
Liverpool then showed some spirit as they went 2-0 up against Blackburn. Doni was then sent off. Jones saved the resulting penalty. Blackburn came back to make it 2-2. Carroll somehow came in to score a winner as a 10-man Liverpool team beat Blackburn.
The FA Cup semi final followed. Suarez and Caroll bagged the goals as Liverpool booked their third visit to Wembley in 2012.
Uncle Roy then got his West Brom team to Anfield. West Brom then took three points off Liverpool as they won 1-0.
Suarez then scored three of his best as Liverpool beat Norwich 3-0 at Carrow Road.
May: The FA Cup?
Fulham came to Anfield. Fulham won at Anfield.
The big FA Cup final. Liverpool didn't turn up for the first 60 minutes. Big Andy came on and scored his goal of the season. He almost scored another. Cech provided a stunning save. Big Andy was denied. Liverpool were denied.
Then came Liverpool's performance of the season; albeit in a game that didn't matter. Suarez 'megged Terry six times. Henderson scored. Agger scored. Shelvey scored. Liverpool won 4-1.
Swansea then ended the season with a 1-0 win.
Verdict: Downing didn't provide an assist or goal in the Premier League. Not good enough.
Henderson was used wide right majorly. He played better when he played in the centre.
Enrique was solid for the first half. Lack of competition for his position, probably meant complacency set in. He had an ordinary second half to the season.
Charlie Adam: Atrocious. Missed penalties. Horrible tackles to concede too many fouls. An own goal too. A season to forget. If Blackpool return to the Premier League, he may just want to head back there.
Craig Bellamy: Signing of the season. Made an impact everytime he came on.
What happens in 2012-13?
Hopefully Carroll doesn't go to Euros. That gives him time to strike an understanding with Suarez.
Henderson gets a year older.
Downing can only get better. (One assist atleast)
If Maxi and Kuyt do leave, we need a winger. Lennon? Turan? Both?
In my opinion this squad is strong enough to get a Champions League berth. Suarez needs to be hitting the back of the net instead of the woodwork. Carroll will get his fair share of goals. Gerrard should probably play a few more games next season. Lucas returns too.
Optimism again in 2012? Indeed!
FA Cup finalists
Carling Cup winners.
Two cup finals. One cup. 8th in the Premier League. Was the 2011-12 season any good for Liverpool Football Club?
The season begun with optimism; Kenny Dalglish had led Liverpool back to contention towards the end of the 2010-11 season as the team bagged plenty of goals playing some free-flowing football.
Dalglish added to the squad; Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique, Charlie Adam, Craig Bellamy and Doni.
None of the signings were touted as being 'World class'.
Henderson had just led the English U-21 team to a decent showing in the Euros.
Downing had a good season with Villa. He had a few good seasons in the lead up to this season.
Jose Enrique was solid for Newcastle at left back.
Charlie Adam showed tremendous commitment at Blackpool. His passing and set pieces were of the finest quality at the relegated club.
Craig Bellamy was unwanted by Manchester City. Liverpool needed a replacement for David Ngog.
Doni, who had been Roma's number one for a short while, was a decent number two to bring to Anfield.
These guys joined a squad that consisted of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson, Lucas Leiva, Dirk Kuyt, Dan Agger, Martin Skrtel, Andy Carroll and Jose Reina.
Plenty of reason to be optimistic?
Downing can cross for Carroll.
Adam's delivery can be tailor made for Carroll.
Gerrard can deliver for Carroll. Gerrard can strike an understanding with Suarez.
Adam and Gerrard together can be lethal.
Henderson can learn under Gerrard.
Bellamy can combine with Kuyt. Just like the duo did in 2006-07.
And many more if only's were thought of.
August provided plenty of reason to be optimistic.
An opening day draw against Sunderland. A missed penalty by Suarez was forgotten as the man himself gave Liverpool the lead at Anfield. Larsson equalised. Downing almost scored a Messi like goal, but the woodwork denied the English winger. This was just the trailer.
Liverpool then travelled to North London. They beat Arsenal for the first time at the Emirates.
A 3-1 home win against Bolton followed, as Liverpool went top on Saturday night. Goals from Henderson, Skrtel and Adam.
September got Liverpool fans back on the ground.
A 1-0 defeat to Stoke. Henderson missed two one on ones. Carragher committed a 'foul' on Walters. Walters scored the penalty. Stoke won.
A 4-0 defeat to Spurs. Adam was sent off. Skrtel was sent off. Liverpool were absolutely crap.
The Carling Cup campaign begun with a 2-1 win at Brighton. Liverpool then won 2-1 at home to Wolves.
October got things going again.
Big Andy and Suarez scored as Liverpool beat Everton at Goodison. Kuyt missed a penalty. Adam hit the woodwork.
Liverpool then dominated the champions at home, only for Chicharito to grab an equaliser and make it 1-1. In between Suarez and Evra decided to have a verbal battle. The outcome of the battle would be revealed later.
Liverpool then dominated Norwich at home. Norwich somehow managed a draw.
The Carling Cup campaign continued. Suarez showed his magic as his brace got Liverpool a rare away victory at the Britannia.
Liverpool then travelled to Uncle Roy's West Brom. Big Andy and Charlie provided the goals in a 2-0 win. Downing hit the post.
Carried on in November.
A 0-0 draw at home to Swansea wasn't what fans expected. Carroll missed from a few yards out. Suarez hit the woodwork.
Maxi Rodriguez and Glen Johnson then ensured that Torres was forgotten as the team won again at Stamford Bridge.
Buoyed by that win, Liverpool entertained league leaders Manchester City at home. Kompany gave City the lead. Adam's Lampard-like goal then provided the equaliser. Joe Hart was at his best after that, as he denied Carroll and Adam repeatedly.
Liverpool ended November with a 2-0 win again at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup. Chelsea's Carling Cup run ended. Lucas' season ended as he was injured in the game.
The year end?
Spearing saw red as Liverpool went down at Fulham. Henderson and Downing did manage to hit the woodwork here too. Suarez decided to show the finger to some Fulham supporters here.
A 1-0 home win against QPR then followed.
The impressive away record continued as Liverpool scored 2 in the opening 20 minutes at Villa Park. The 2-0 win consisted of Suarez hitting the woodwork.
Wigan followed. Al-Habsi denied Adam from the penalty spot. Liverpool drew 0-0 in a game they dominated.
Blackburn then managed a 1-1 draw at Anfield courtesy an Adam own goal. Maxi saved the blushes with a late equaliser.
Gerrard then returned as Liverpool beat a high-flying Newcastle 3-1 at Anfield.
The year ended with news of Suarez's eight game ban. An added one game ban came because of his actions at Fulham.
January: A sign of things to come?
Downing could've started 2012 for Liverpool on a high. He scuffed his one-on-one chance with Joe Hart in the first 10 minutes at 0-0. City went on to win 3-0. Aguero opened the scoring. Reina opened his bloopers account for the season with a howler.
The FA Cup campaign got underway with a 5-1 home win against Oldham. Downing and Carroll got onto the scoresheet.
Steven Gerrard then scored as Liverpool beat City at the Eithad Stadium in the first leg of the Carling Cup.
A 0-0 home draw against Stoke followed.
Bolton then got all three points against Liverpool. The performance was called a disgrace by King Kenny.
Craig Bellamy then returned to haunt City. His equaliser at Anfield meant Liverpool advanced to the Carling Cup final.
Then Liverpool took on United. Dirk Kuyt's late winner ensured Liverpool advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup. With City already eliminated and United taken out, Liverpool sensed a chance here.
The FA Cup win was built on with a 3-0 away victory at Wolves. Big Andy managed one of the three goals.
February: Reason to cheer?
Luis Suarez's ban ended as he came on as a substitute in a 0-0 draw against Spurs. He should've bagged a goal in this game, but he couldn't score with a free header.
Then came the handshake gate. Suarez didn't shake hands with Evra. Suarez did score at Old Trafford. But Rooney scored two. United won 2-1.
Liverpool then scored six past Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round.
The cup drought came to an end as Liverpool beat Cardiff on penalties.
March: The slide starts
Gerrard's injury problems returned as he missed the home tie against Arsenal. Kuyt missed a penalty. Suarez missed plenty of chances. Van Persie scored the two chances he got. Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1.
Sunderland then beat Liverpool 1-0 at home. No beachball was needed here.
Gerrard then returned with a hat-trick as Liverpool beat Everton 3-0.
The FA Cup success continued as Suarez and Downing scored to give Liverpool a 2-1 win to Stoke. Old boy Crouch scored for Stoke in this one.
Sebastian Coates scored Liverpool's goal of the season as Liverpool took a 2-0 lead against Queen Park Rangers. Old boy Cisse then scored as QPR came back to win the game 3-2 in the last 15 minutes.
Wigan then came to Anfield. Wigan then won at Anfield.
April: What's going on?
Carroll decided to dive when it was easier from him to score. Cisse decided to show Carroll what a number 9 does. Reina decided to headbutt Perch. Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-0.
Aston Villa then held Liverpool at home. One of the many games at Anfield this season where Liverpool didn't take the chances they created.
Liverpool then showed some spirit as they went 2-0 up against Blackburn. Doni was then sent off. Jones saved the resulting penalty. Blackburn came back to make it 2-2. Carroll somehow came in to score a winner as a 10-man Liverpool team beat Blackburn.
The FA Cup semi final followed. Suarez and Caroll bagged the goals as Liverpool booked their third visit to Wembley in 2012.
Uncle Roy then got his West Brom team to Anfield. West Brom then took three points off Liverpool as they won 1-0.
Suarez then scored three of his best as Liverpool beat Norwich 3-0 at Carrow Road.
May: The FA Cup?
Fulham came to Anfield. Fulham won at Anfield.
The big FA Cup final. Liverpool didn't turn up for the first 60 minutes. Big Andy came on and scored his goal of the season. He almost scored another. Cech provided a stunning save. Big Andy was denied. Liverpool were denied.
Then came Liverpool's performance of the season; albeit in a game that didn't matter. Suarez 'megged Terry six times. Henderson scored. Agger scored. Shelvey scored. Liverpool won 4-1.
Swansea then ended the season with a 1-0 win.
Verdict: Downing didn't provide an assist or goal in the Premier League. Not good enough.
Henderson was used wide right majorly. He played better when he played in the centre.
Enrique was solid for the first half. Lack of competition for his position, probably meant complacency set in. He had an ordinary second half to the season.
Charlie Adam: Atrocious. Missed penalties. Horrible tackles to concede too many fouls. An own goal too. A season to forget. If Blackpool return to the Premier League, he may just want to head back there.
Craig Bellamy: Signing of the season. Made an impact everytime he came on.
What happens in 2012-13?
Hopefully Carroll doesn't go to Euros. That gives him time to strike an understanding with Suarez.
Henderson gets a year older.
Downing can only get better. (One assist atleast)
If Maxi and Kuyt do leave, we need a winger. Lennon? Turan? Both?
In my opinion this squad is strong enough to get a Champions League berth. Suarez needs to be hitting the back of the net instead of the woodwork. Carroll will get his fair share of goals. Gerrard should probably play a few more games next season. Lucas returns too.
Optimism again in 2012? Indeed!
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