Is The Season Over For Liverpool After Defeat at Fulham?

No, the season is not over for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez. But the Reds definitely do like having pressure on themselves.

When Liverpool beat Man Und, they excelled and were magnificent. But then two defeats against Arsenal (in the Carling Cup) and Fulham (the more important one) made the United victory very hollow.

As soon as Rafa eased the pressure on himself and his team, he put it back on again. Although the Reds were unlucky in some respects as they had Steven Gerrard, Alberto Aquilani, Albert Riera, Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly, Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger all out injured. They didn't even travel, and Torres, who played and scored, was still not 100% fit.

But Liverpool just had no fight at Craven Cottage. Torres' goal was brilliant, world class again, but they cannot just ask him for everything. Liverpool made few chances and had 72% possession in the first half. The two sending offs were a little harsh, especially Degen's, but Liverpool can have few complaints overall, because they created little, gave up and were generally abysmal, far from the team that beat Man Und and the team that were fabulous in the last three months of last season.

The match midweek against Lyon is a must win match because if the Reds lose, they are not going to qualify for the last 16 and that would be catashrophic.

If they can win this game against Lyon away, then beat Birmingham and Man City at home in the league, then the season is okay again. Most of the injured players will have returned, and Liverpool will have a strong first 11 again.

But there are a few ifs in there. If they lose or draw any of these next few pivotal games, then the season could well be as good as over (except if Chelsea lose the plot, which is highly unlikely).

So if Liverpool can change the script, and put themselves back on the map again, then they are back on track and most of the pressure will have gone. But if they change the script for the worse, then Liverpool and Rafa will be in serious trouble. 

But Liverpool love this kind of backs against the wall, last stand thing. If any team can get out of this mess and get there season back again, it's them.