Liverpool FC 2011 Review : The Highs, Lows and What to Expect in 2012

2011 has definitely been a year to remember for Liverpool Football Club. The Reds have been on a roller coaster ride throughout the calendar year.

The year started with Roy Hodgson surviving on borrowed time under the new ownership of John W. Henry, under the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) banner.

Hodgson dug his own grave, as he was sacked after the Reds suffered an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers. That was the last straw for Henry, and club legend Kenny Dalglish was immediately appointed to take over coaching responsibilities until the end of the season.

The 2010/11 season closed its curtains with Liverpool finishing in sixth place and missing out on a European spot for the first time since 1999.

Preseason proved to be an important period in the Reds' quest to end their five year wait for silverware, as Dalglish went on a spending spree recruiting seven new players aimed at bringing success to the club in the future.

It has been a relatively hot and cold season so far for Liverpool, as they have failed to get positive results on a consistent basis. They currently sit in sixth place in the league.

Let us look back on the Reds' memorable year.

The Highlights

Return of The King: Anfield was simply buzzing when John W. Henry appointed club legend Dalglish to take the Anfield hot seat until the end of the 2010/11 season. After King Kenny proved his pedigree at the highest level, he was rewarded with a new three-year contract.

Shrewd Business: The £50 million sale of Fernando Torres was one helluva business, considering the Spaniard signed for the Blues on the back of a poor World Cup, and a poor year in general (he is still poor).

Luis Suarez: Everything about the Uruguayan has energized Anfield. The sale of Fernando Torres was quickly forgotten, and much of this comes down to what El Pistolero has contributed to the club since he signed in January.

As it stands now, he has scored five goals and assisted in three in 17 appearances so far in the campaign, with more surely to come in the future.

Beating Manchester United: What else can make the fans more happy than to beat the club they have grown to despise? Liverpool turned on a dazzling performance to leave archrivals Manchester United toothless.

Suarez put up a Man of the Match performance assisting hat trick hero Dirk Kuyt in every goal in the match, which ended in a 3-1 scoreline.

Transfer Dealings: Kenny Dalglish knew that the squad needed strengthening after the end of last season. He went on to sign the likes of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique to add steel and depth to an already decent squad.

Dalglish's moves have certainly paid dividends. Injuries and suspensions to key players have not been a serious issue for the Reds as there is ample cover in the squad.

On The Brink of Silverware: Liverpool are now in the semifinals of the Carling Cup, with a clash versus Manchester City looming next month. The whole squad will know that this is the best opportunity yet for them to win a trophy since thier FA Cup victory in 2006.

The Lowlights

Andy Carroll: When the big Englishman was signed in January, much was expected from him. But one year has quickly passed and Carroll has failed to live up to fans' expectations. His partnership with Luis Suarez never materialised and he has so far just been a bit-part player for the Reds.

Now, with Suarez likely to face an eight-match ban for alleged racism towards Patrice Evra, it is time the £35 million man shows why he was such a feared striker in his time at Newcastle.

Europe absence: For a club of Liverpool's stature, missing out on a European competition seems like an embarrassment, especially when you note that the Reds have won the European Cup and UEFA Cup a combined eight times, the most for any club in England.

Spurs humiliation: The September league fixture between Liverpool and Tottenham ended in tears for many Liverpool fans.

A defeat is hard enough to take, but to lose by a 4-0 scoreline really is humiliating to say the least. The timing could not have been worse for Liverpool when Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel were sent off.

Woodwork: If there ever was a game called Hit The Woodwork, Liverpool would be runaway leaders. As it stands now, the woodwork has been struck 17 times by the Reds.

Conclusion : What Can Reds Fans Expect in 2012

The Boxing Day result against bottom-side Blackburn Rovers was a hard one to swallow. However, plenty of positives can be taken from that match. 

Among them was the return of Captain Fantastic, Steven Gerrard, to action after having missed the last 10 games in all competitions through injury. His return could not be more timely, as the Reds have Lucas Leiva out injured for the rest of the season and top scorer Suarez likely to be charged with an eight-match ban.

After having only played in patches this year, Gerrard will look to stay fresh throughout 2012 to boost Liverpool's chances of finishing in the Champions League places.

As for the January transfer window, I see Dalglish signing an attacking player and possibly a defensive midfielder.

The first month of the year will also see Liverpool facing off against Manchester City in the last four of the Carling Cup. They will take this tie seriously as they look to end a barren five year spell without silverware.

Liverpool will have a relatively easy task against Oldham Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup early next month, and will look to go as far as possible in the tournament they have won seven times in their illustrious history.

The League, of course, would be of utmost importance to Kenny Dalglish, as he will look to avoid a third year without Champions League football for the Reds. With no European football this season as a distraction, a Top 4 finish is a must and I believe they will achieve it.

The ideal ending to the season for most Liverpool fans would be to see Liverpool finish in the top four and win the Carling Cup. I am predicting that the scenario mentioned will happen. 

Happy New Year, everyone!