Liverpool FC: Is Winning a Cup Double Good Enough?

It’s the question that Liverpool’s owners have most likely been stalling upon since February. If Liverpool beat Chelsea in tomorrow’s FA Cup final, would that constitute a successful season?

With the Carling Cup already in their trophy cabinet, a domestic double would be Liverpool’s best return since 2001—but it seems that Reds fans and the media alike are not convinced that last season’s signings are proving themselves to be a justifiably expensive investment.

Liverpool is a club built upon a rich history of success. Despite having their league tally eclipsed by Manchester United last season, they remain the most coveted club in English football. Teams of such high repute belong in the Champions League, yet the Anfield outlet find themselves struggling to cling onto an eighth-place finish in Kenny Dalglish’s first full season in charge.

An eighth-place finish will be Liverpool’s worst league finish since they were promoted in 1962.

Such statistics put into reality how woeful Liverpool’s league form has been this season. Their defeat to Fulham on Tuesday encapsulated all that has been bad about Liverpool’s campaign. The club have won only five home games out of eighteen, a stark contrast to the 2008-09 season in which they went unbeaten at home, winning twelve and drawing seven.

But is it fair to judge the season on league form alone?

Technically, Liverpool have been more successful in one season than Arsenal have been in their past seven. Football is all about winning competitions and a cup double would make Liverpool the most successful team in English football this season. In terms of honours won, they will have had more success than whoever comes second, third or fourth in the Premier League. But is winning a cup double good enough?

A league campaign exposes strengths and weaknesses that may go by untested in a cup campaign. Yes, Liverpool may be winning trophies, but their weaknesses are there for all to see.

The club has been particularly poor in front of goal, a notion proved by the fact they have scored only 43 goals this season, a tally that is outgunned by Steve Kean’s struggling Blackburn side.

Perhaps such poor form in front of goal can be explained by the nine-game suspension handed to Luis Suarez following the race row with Patrice Evra, but, no sympathy can be afforded to the Reds on this department because such a suspension was entirely self-inflicted.

Further to this, surely a £35 million striker would be able to deputise in Suarez’s absence?

The absence of Steven Gerrard and Lucas for much of the season has also had a bearing on Liverpool’s season. The club’s midfield has continually been outgunned this season, but the return of their club captain has handed the Reds some positive results.

If a team was to go such an extended period of form without their star player, they too would suffer the same misfortune Liverpool has endured this season. Imagine Arsenal without Van Persie, Manchester United without Wayne Rooney or Manchester City without Sergio Aguero. Liverpool has undergone large chunks of the season without Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.

With this in mind, fans must remember that it is easy to make excuses. At the end of the day Liverpool’s summer signings have not been good enough, and with the prices paid, much more should be expected of them.

If Liverpool does win at Wembley on Saturday, this season must go down as a success for the club, but progress needs to be made over the transfer window and through next season. A team of Liverpool’s stature should be challenging for a slot in the top four and not the Europa League.