The Re-Invention of Liverpool Football Club

Liverpool Football Club share a natural affinity with sports stars such as Tim Henman and David Coulthard.

Henman and Coulthard were both capable and talented professionals in their sport. They spent many years among the top 10, and on certain occasions showed that they could outclass every single one of their opponents.

However, both begrudgingly shared one nasty habit.

Both Tim and David could never muster up the consistency and power to edge their way to a grand slam or a driver’s title. They were never the epitome of a finished product.

Henman of course reached various semifinals on court but never a final, and Coulthard finished in the top five of the driver’s title on many occasions, with one runner-up position behind the mighty Michael Schumacher.

Although Liverpool FC are historically England's most successful club, when it comes to the Premier League, this is not the case.

Since the Premier League’s conception, Liverpool have yet to add a single league title to their previous triumphs.

Instead, Manchester United seized the opportunity to successfully play catch up in a combination of title glories, which were occasionally, but briefly, halted by the likes of Blackburn, Chelsea, and Arsenal.

Many regarded Liverpool as title challengers or title favourites, but in recent years the team was tarred with the same brush that tainted both Henman and Coulthard.

Essentially spectators and fans just gave up on glory. The ideal was that they would win titles, but the expected reality was that they would remain as also rans.

Only a miracle seemed the way out.

Therefore so many were surprised and excited at Liverpool’s engaging title prospects for the 2008/09 season.

They controlled match days, gained a valuable collection of points, and strung together an amazing run of form that put them firmly in the driving seat for title glory.

Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal were dumbfounded, and immediately sought to repair the gap that Liverpool had created.

Predictably, Liverpool did suffer a dip in form, and Manchester United  capitalised.  It seemed Manchester United had begun to run away with the title.

But a spectacular couple of weeks for Liverpool, accompanied by two lacklustre Manchester United performances, put the title challenge back on.

United are still, of course, firm favourites. With one game in hand and a one point advantage, it will require a slip up in the remaining few games to halt the red devils from another Premier League title.

Whatever the outcome, this season has successfully renewed the interest and optimism about a future Liverpool title.

Cup wins and Champions League wins will come and go, it is Liverpool’s strong heritage that seems to bind them to these glories, but it’s the title that all fans have their eye on.

It’s a never say never situation for this season; Liverpool still have a strong claim on this years title.

If Torres and Gerrard can sustain an injury free end to the season, this claim will be strengthened.

And next season, Rafa Benitez’s promising new team can attempt to delve even deeper into a title challenge, and confirm themselves as a respected and feared opponent on the pitch.

Being the only team of the "big four" not to win the Premier League has held them back, but an improved follow-up season can see Liverpool reinstate their claim to be the top English team.