[lfc-news] Mark Lawrenson column - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 17 May 2005
Rafael has gained precious knowledge on his players - but it has come at
a price
By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

ANY season where you reach the Champions League final has to be a great
one, but even without that, I'd still say this has been a good year for
Rafael Benitez and Liverpool.

That goes even with an injury list that seemed to specifically target
his best players and 11 away defeats, and the reason is that the
Spaniard now knows exactly who he can rely on and where he needs to
strengthen.

To put it another way, he's got the supporting acts, but now he needs
the star turns.

Of course, that knowledge has come at a price and over the season we
have seen just where he has had to pay - usually away from Anfield.

However he has shown in the way he sets the team up that he is committed
to playing the 'old' Liverpool way - hunting for the ball in packs by
pressing and pressure with a high tempo.

When Benitez has had his first choice team out it has worked to terrific
effect. However when he has been missing a few players - which has been
two-thirds of the time - he has struggled to replicate it to the same
effect.

He has had a positive impact on several players though, which is always
the sign of a good coach, and he will look to build on that from now on.

With player of the season, there is really only one candidate - Jamie
Carragher. From minute one of Benitez's reign, he has seemed to grow in
stature and ability and finally found his role after years of fitting in
when needed.

I would also make a few honourable mentions. Xabi Alonso has been top
quality whenever he has played, while John Arne Riise has also been back
to his best on the left and Steve Finnan rock solid on the right. After
a shaky first half of the season, Luis Garcia has also come good. I was
wrong about him, and I am delighted he proved me wrong.

Alonso also makes an appearance in my next big thing category, for
players likely to make an impact next season. Of course he has been
brilliant this time, but his injury kept him out for so long. Djibril
Cisse is in the same boat, and Fernando Morientes should also benefit
from a proper pre-season and more time to acclimatise.

For the high point of the season, of course it may be yet to come given
what is happening in just over a week's time.

So far though, I would pick Stevie Gerrard's goal against Olympiakos and
the support against Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League
semi-final. I know a few Chelsea fans and they said they've never been
at a game with an atmosphere like that. It was amazing.

As for the low point, sadly there are quite a few options to choose
from. I would pick the Burnley game in the FA Cup. Benitez's mistakes
have been few, but this match was a whopper.

As for the summer to come, I'd guess that Benitez has two transfer plans
in place, depending on whether a certain midfielder stays or not.
Without getting into that, a few other people will be on their way

Certainly at least one out of Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland will
probably go, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Dietmar Hamann and Igor
Biscan go too, as Benitez looks to raise some funds to bring in the
players he wants.

There is also the great enigma - Harry Kewell.. Will he ever shake off
his injuries long enough to be the player everyone hoped he would be?

If I had to pick one likely arrival, then I think Ruben Baraja would be
the one - a top-class midfielder who would make a difference to any team.

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