Rafael Benitez Will Bring Good Times To Liverpool - Kenny Dalglish

Manchester United may have levelled Liverpool's record of 18 top-flight titles, but Reds legend Kenny Dalglish believes that the Merseyside men will soon steam ahead against under Rafael Benitez.

Benitez’s troops launched a strong assault on the Red Devils this season, despite coming up short in the end. However, the Scot expects silverware to return to Anfield from next season onwards.

"I hope ‘Rafa’ can build on the good work that he has achieved this season," Dalglish told the Daily Mail.

"We would love to be in Manchester United's position, everybody would, but we have come a lot closer.

"It will give them great belief when they go into next season. There's always expectation, but I believe that this time it'll be justified."

Outlining some of the reasons for optimism, Dalglish said, "Rafa signing his contract, Stevie Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt agreeing to stay, and the Americans [owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] working more closely - all that is brilliant."

"The performances against the other members of the top four have been brilliant. I'm sure there will be players coming in, too, so there is a lot to look forward to."

Sami Hyypia Already Plotting Liverpool Return

Sami Hyypia is set to bid Liverpool an emotional farewell on Sunday but not before letting it be known that it is his dream to return to the club as coach one day.

Last week it was confirmed that the 35-year-old Finnish centre-back had chosen to extend his career at Bayer Leverkusen after over a decade's service for the Reds.

The defender's departure will be unanimously mourned by the red side of Merseyside, but if all goes according to plan it will be an 'until we meet again' rather than a 'farewell'.

"I'd like to come back to Liverpool one day as a coach, and it was great to hear the manager would like me to return," Hyypia said in the Daily Mirror.

"Coaching has always been in my mind, but I have to take my badges first. I haven't done that yet because I want to keep playing, and I thought at this stage it would be a burden.

"But at the end of my playing career I'll look to take the badges and then see. I've so many memories of Liverpool, and really would love to return one day.

"I think it will only be after I've finally left that I'll be able to sit back and realise what we've done in my 10 years. It's hard to take in now. It is nice to be remembered here."

Xabi Alonso Edges Towards Liverpool Exit

Reports suggest that the Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, is set to exit the club this summer as his manager, Rafael Benitez, prepares to shape his transfer campaign around potential funds raised by his compatriot's sale.

Alonso was close to agreeing a deal with Juventus last summer and was also linked with Arsenal as Benitez tried desperately to summon the requisite cash to bring Gareth Barry from Aston Villa to Anfield.

However, both moves faltered and the Spanish midfielder went on to enjoy one of his most productive terms in the red shirt.

It seems now though that Liverpool's summer spending hinges on their ability to raise funds through player sales, and Alonso reportedly tops the list of potential departees again this season.

Benitez has a number of summer transfer targets that cannot be acquired without first selling players. Carlos Tevez of Manchester United, David Silva of Valencia, Portsmouth's Glen Johnson and Villa’s Barry have all been linked with Anfield this season.

Alonso could quickly find himself surplus to requirements and was linked recently with a £23 million move to Real Madrid, who look set to appoint Florentino Perez as president on June 17.

However, Liverpool have issued a statement in the past 24 hours after a rumour emerged that terms on the transfer of Alonso to Madrid had been agreed in principle.

It read, “There has been no contact from anyone and Alonso is not for sale.”

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield this weekend, in what could be Alonso's last appearance for the club.

Rafa Benitez: Liverpool May Break Club Transfer Record This Summer

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has already turned his sights to next season, and how he can improve the squad that ran Manchester United so close in this season's race for the Premier League title, revealing that big money might well be spent in an attempt to overhaul their rivals from the other end of the East Lancs Road.

However, Benitez hinted that, although the Merseysiders would be spending big, they would not be able to match the £30 million spent by United on Dimitar Berbatov, and then, more pointedly, that any mistakes made by the likes of United in the transfer market were offset by their colossal financial muscle - something Liverpool cannot currently match.

"We do not have that sort of money so we have to be cute and clever in the market, then it does not matter if you have money or not. When you have money it is easier because nobody notices your mistakes."

That last line would appear to be a clear dig at Ferguson and United, who have signed their fair share of flops over the years, something that Benitez currently seems at pains to stress, as the propaganda war between him and his opposite number at Old Trafford looks set to rumble on beyond the end of the season.

"If you spend big money on a player and he's not a success, it's worse for us than it is for United. If they make one or two mistakes, because of the difference in money, they can still spend £50 million on other players. The more money you have, the more quality players you can sign," Benitez added, speaking to The Daily Telegraph.

"We've been talking of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for the whole season. We have good players in the squad but the experience of fighting for titles and the quality of players makes a difference. Sometimes that means money, and it is easier if you have it."

With the rumours linking United's Argentine striker Carlos Tevez to Anfield refusing to dissipate, an interesting summer of transfer dealings can perhaps be expected from the two giants, with Manchester City's new spending power tweaking the situation just a little more.

Benitez In £15m Bid To Capture Portsmouth And England Defender

Liverpool have launched a fresh £15million bid to land Portsmouth right back Glen Johnson.

Manager Rafa Benitez identified the England defender as a target this season but did not have anywhere near the budget to land the player.

However, Portsmouth still owe around £7m from the £12m transfer of striker Peter Crouch last summer, and Benitez hopes to use that to good effect in his bargaining for Johnson.

The 24-year-old former Chelsea defender signed an improved four-year contract in January but would jump at the chance of a move to Anfield as Benitez looks to add key signings in preparation for a renewed assault on the Barclays Premier League title.

The Spaniard has been encouraged by his side's progress this season and knows his recruitment this summer is pivotal to Liverpool finally toppling fierce rivals Manchester United.

Pompey's financial problems - with owner Sacha Gaydamak still looking for a buyer - mean they will want to drive the price as high as possible, and Liverpool are wary of being dragged into an auction with other clubs.

Tottenham are known to be interested in Johnson, and there will be other bidders with easier access to funds than Benitez.

Liverpool have earmarked a chunk of their squad as being disposable this summer, and the manager accepts he will have to offload players to fund the signings he wants, which could slow the process.

With Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry and United's Carlos Tevez also on his wish list, Benitez might be forced to prioritise and that could jeopardise the Johnson deal.

One way of raising funds would be to sell Xabi Alonso amid growing interest from Real Madrid. If Benitez decides to sell the Spain midfielder, he would rather do business with Real but he is also weighing up other options.

Allowing Alonso to leave would be unpopular within the Liverpool dressing room and also among fans, who voiced their displeasure over plans to sell him to Juventus last summer to finance a deal for Barry.

They repeatedly chanted for Alonso and against Barry, and both deals subsequently fell through over differences in valuations. But, while Juventus refused to pay £16m after weeks of haggling, Real are unlikely to balk at Liverpool's asking price as they prepare for a new era under president-elect Florentino Perez.

Real are keen to revive their fortunes after trailing Barcelona in La Liga this season and crashing out to Liverpool in the Champions League.

After being heavily criticised by fans for ditching their interest in Alonso and settling instead for the cheaper option of Denmark's Christian Poulsen, Juve could yet re-enter the race and launch a second attempt to sign the 27-year-old.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina last night added more fuel to the controversy over Alonso's possible departure by hailing his form as the main reason for the Merseyside club running United so close in this season's title race.

Reina said: 'Xabi is the player who always seems to have the ball at his feet. He has shown repeatedly that he can pass it five yards or 45, and every time it is just as good, just as accurate.

'This has been his best season so far for Liverpool, and that was the reason why we managed to push United so far in the title race.'

Balague: Silva Is Good But Mata Is Golden

Respected Spanish football correspondent Guillem Balague has backed English clubs in their scouting of Valencia striker Juan Mata.

The 21-year-old has been in sterling form at the Mestalla this season, sealing his reputation with his first international call-up from Vicente del Bosque and eleven goals and thirteen assists in 31 appearances.

With Liverpool on the lookout for someone to partner Fernando Torres, Manchester United keen to replace Carlos Tevez and Chelsea and Arsenal pondering potential replacements for Drogba and Adebayor respectively, Balague has hinted that the 'big four' should keep a close eye on the youngster.

“Mata may not have got much press in England but he has got plenty in Spain. He's been in fantastic form. The good thing about Mata from the club's point of view is that he is one of the lowest earners,” Balague told skysports.com.

“He has been followed by numerous English clubs - I know that for a fact - while Villa has attracted interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

“As for Silva, I've still got high hopes that he will go to Liverpool, but the bottom line is that he will go to the first club that comes in for him with the right amount of money.

Tevez Hints At United Stay As Liverpool Offer £50 Million

Carlos Tevez’s future at Manchester United continues to polarise the tabloids, with yesterday’s reports suggesting Liverpool had dwarfed an £18 million Tottenham bid with their own £50 million offer.

While a number of premier league club’s stated their financial claims to the player, the Argentine seemed to backtrack on comments at the weekend that suggested he would certainly leave Old Trafford in the summer.

The former West Ham star said: “Maybe it will be my last game and maybe it won't, I don't know.”

Tevez’s latest claims seem to contradict his comments straight after Manchester United had won the Premier League title following their draw with Arsenal on Saturday.

Tevez spoke with Argentine TV station TYC saying: “I am not going to continue at Manchester United. I feel I have been badly treated.”

“When you don’t agree with the manager in how the club is run its best I leave so as not to clash with Alex Ferguson and the directors.”

Manchester United have made no secret of their desire to keep the diminutive striker, but not at the initial deal put in place two years ago.

Ferguson said: “Carlos has done well for us but the demands originally put to us were unrealistic. We have to be aware of the consequences of the credit crunch.”

“It’s no time to be careless about money. As far as Tevez is concerned, everybody would be best served by the willingness to compromise.”

To further confuse matters, and in light of yesterday’s reports in the Sun that suggested Tottenham had an offer rebuffed after they were told of Liverpool’s bid of £50 million which included agent fees and the player’s wages, Rafa Benitez told the Metro: “We may well break our transfer record, but certainly not Manchester United's.”

“But it does not matter about the prices, it is doing the right thing and finding the right players. The next step is to overcome Manchester United, and that is the hardest. It does all come down to the money they have been able to spend, that is the difference.”

“If we want to reduce this gap we have to be really good in the transfer market”

Rafa Benitez Lauds Departing Liverpool Legend Sami Hyypia

Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia will bid farewell to Anfield when his contract expires in the summer, and will head to the Bundesliga, where he will line up for Bayer Leverkusen. Many on Merseyside will mourn the centre-back's departure including club manager Rafa Benitez.

"Yes, I think Liverpool are losing a legend," the Spaniard told the club's official website.

"For years he has been so good. He has scored important goals and has been very, very good in defence. Clearly we are losing an important player.

"He will get a fantastic reception from the fans. They are amazing and they recognise when someone has been a very good servant to the club.

"He is a fantastic professional and a very good person, and the fans know this.

"It's good as a manager that, when you have a player with his name and experience, he still wants to learn. I have been really pleased working with him."

Hyypia, who has not featured for the Reds' first-team since playing a role in their 4-1 demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford, could well make his farewell appearance at Anfield on Sunday, when Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur in the concluding fixture of the Premier League campaign.

Liverpool FC's Insua Calls For Strong Finish

Emiliano Insua has called on Liverpool to finish the season on a high in order to set themselves up for a renewed assault on the Premier League title in the next campaign.

Though everyone at Anfield remains hugely disappointed at being unable to overhaul Manchester United in the race for the title, Insua insists no-one is feeling sorry for themselves and believes there is a steely resolve to go one better next time around.

The Argentinian left back is now looking to sign off in style with a home win against Tottenham on Sunday in the knowledge that another victory would stretch their unbeaten league run to an 11th game.

“Everybody wants to win the title, but it wasn’t to be for us this year because Man United have won it and this is football,” said Insua.

“This means that we have to look at ways that we can improve and hopefully next season will be even better than this one.

“We cannot be feeling sorry for ourselves because we still have one more game to go and if we win it we will have 86 points, which will be a record for us in the Premier League.

“The fans will also be wanting us to win and we have to try to do that.”

He added: “We have pushed United very hard but in the end it just wasn’t enough.”

Stewart Downing Looks Set Out On Big-Money Move To Liverpool Or Spurs

Devastated Stewart Downing could miss out on his dream £12million switch to Liverpool or Spurs after suffering a broken foot.

The England winger will have an operation on Friday to repair the break, sustained against Aston Villa last Saturday, that will keep him out until August at least and with little time to get fit ahead of a big-money transfer.

But if Downing suffers complications it is feared he will be missing for up to six months, meaning he will have to regain his fitness in the Championship if Boro get relegated.

Boss Gareth Southgate revealed defender David Wheater needs knee surgery and has been pulled out of England Under-21 duty at the European Championship finals in Sweden.

Southgate said: "David will need surgery so he'll miss the U21s championship.

"If you're going away with the full international team it's a fantastic honour but I'm not convinced on levels below the full team it's as worthwhile.

"You look at someone like Agbonlahor who's had a season that's gone from Villa's European campaign in August and he's being asked to play until the end of June."

Juventus Ponder Fresh Bid For Liverpool Ace Xabi Alonso

Juventus appear set to make a move for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso once again this summer.

The Old Lady seemed on the verge of signing the midfielder last summer but the move eventually collapsed and the Bianconeri plumped for Danish international Christian Poulsen amid widespread protests from fans.

But the Corriere dello Sport claims the Corso Galileo Ferraris powers that be are again flirting with the idea of luring the Spanish international away from Anfield, even though the 27-year-old has stated his desire to stay on Merseyside.

However, Spanish giants Real Madrid are also believed to be interested in the player, who was valued by the Reds at around €20 million last summer.

Should Juve fail to land Alonso, the Turin club might turn to Gaetano D’Agostino, who has impressed at Udinese in a playmaker role over the past two seasons.

The 26-year-old Italian international, who is considered the heir to Andrea Pirlo in Italy, would be available for €12m-13m and, unlike Liverpool, Udinese would accept players in part-exchange deals.

D’Agostino has also given a great contribution in front of goal this term, netting ten in 34 league appearances for the Zebrette.

£50m Tevez Bid Stuns Tottenham

Tottenham were reeling last night after being told Liverpool are willing to shell out £50million for Carlos Tevez.

The Spurs board sanctioned an £18m move for the Argentina striker, whose loan at Manchester United ends this summer.

But they were blown away when the Tevez camp revealed Liverpool are ready to offer the £26m asking fee and a staggering £160,000-a-week three-year deal — worth £8.3m-a-year.

United insist they still want to cut a deal with Tevez, who is loaned to them by his owner Kia Joorabchian.

Although they are refusing to pay Joorabchian’s current asking price, United would be sickened if he switched to bitter rivals Liverpool — a move which would also infuriate Old Trafford fans.

But unsettled striker Tevez, 25, revealed in SunSport last week that he would join Liverpool if they made a bid.

A source close to the deal told SunSport: “It seems amazing that Liverpool have the money to do this when you consider their owners are looking for funds.

“But Spurs were told that Liverpool were going to get the deal done and that Tevez was very happy about it.”

Tevez’s Argentine pal Javier Mascherano moved to Liverpool after a Joorabchian deal.

Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard Makes Lucas Leiva Plea

Rafa Benitez is reportedly planning an overhaul during the summer months, and with Lucas Leiva amongst the candidates set for the axe, Steven Gerrard has stepped forward to give the young Brazilian his dues.

Despite some negative criticism from Reds fans after a few suspect performances throughout the season, Gerrard believes that, if given the proper chance, Lucas will become an Anfield great.

"Lucas has had criticism and for me it's been unfair," said Gerrard, according to Sport.co.uk.

"He's a young lad learning his trade and he's certainly got a bright future.

"He does a lot of work that goes unnoticed in this team. He's come into some big games when the manager has said 'sink or swim'.

"He swam, very well, and he's done really well for us."

Rafa Wary Of Transfer Mistakes

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has admitted he needs to be 'almost perfect' with his recruitment this summer.

The Reds have narrowly missed out on top spot this season after pushing Manchester United in the Premier League title race.

Benitez hopes his men can finish above the Red Devils next term but accepts that he will have to bolster his squad during the transfer window.

The Spaniard also believes that he does not have as much money at his disposal as Sir Alex Ferguson and must therefore make sure he does not make any mistakes.

"If we spend big money on one player and he's not successful for us, it's worse for us that it is for United," Benitez said.

"If they make one or two mistakes, because of the difference in money between us, they can spend £40-50million on players.

"We know that we have to be almost perfect in everything we do."

Benitez believes the key to United's success has been their strength in depth but he is looking to redress the balance ahead of the 2009/10 campaign.

He said: "If you have more money you can sign players with more quality, like United have. It doesn't matter if they play Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez or Ronaldo.

"They can play with two and rest two but keep the same level, while we have been talking of what it would have been like if we'd had Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for the whole season.

"We have good players in the squad but the experience of fighting for titles and the quality of players makes a difference.

"Some times that means money, and it is easier if you have it."

Stadium Delays Alarm Benitez

Liverpool face the prospect of missing out on tens of millions of pounds in revenue, vital to their pursuit of Manchester United, by missing two vital deadlines for the construction of their new stadium, which is the cornerstone of the club's growth.

Club sources have confirmed that they are interested in discussing with Carlsberg the idea of naming rights for the new Stanley Park stadium which, as The Independent revealed last week, the Danish brewer wants to pursue when its sponsorship deal comes up for detailed discussion in July. But there is frustration in some quarters at Anfield that financial uncertainty over the proposed stadium, which Hicks and Gillett promised to build when they bought Liverpool in February 2007, will mean the club missing out on the estimated £10m such a deal could bring.

Two days after manager Rafael Benitez publicly warned Hicks and Gillett that they will struggle to compete for the Premier League title until the new stadium is built, it has emerged that they have six months to get financing for the stadium in place if they wish it to be submitted as a prospective 2018 World Cup venue. The FA will only consider new stadiums for which detailed financial plans and construction proposals are in place by November. Credibility is everything for the FA, ahead of the Fifa inspection visit which will take place in October 2010 and the prospect of "too many artists impressions", as one FA source put it yesterday, is seen as a factor which could fatally undermine England's bid.

Liverpool's council leader Warren Bradley, whose organisation will decide which stadiums to put forward as part of Liverpool's host city bid, yesterday warned Liverpool they have until December to resolve their stadium issues or risk missing out on hosting the World Cup. Though Anfield could be put forward, Everton could conceivably be awarded 2018 status at Liverpool's expense if their proposed new 55,000-seat stadium in Kirkby gets the go-ahead. A planning inspector is currently considering the outcome of a public inquiry into Everton's plans and communities secretary Hazel Blears is expected to rule by the autumn on whether that stadium will get the go-ahead.

Despite the new-found displays of harmony between Hicks and Gillett, neither individual has the money to kick-start plans for Anfield's 60,000-seat replacement, which were put on hold when the credit crunch bit.

"On an economic level we cannot fight with the other big teams, at least for now, in particular because of the stadium," Benitez said. "Old Trafford has 76,000 seats, Emirates has 60,000, Chelsea can count on Abramovich. Until we have a new stadium, we will not be able to compete economically. In the meantime we'll have to do things very well to be competitive." Hicks and Gillett say financing the project had been made more difficult due to the global financial crisis. Liverpool's owners must also refinance a bank loan of around £350m by July.

Bradley wants to see Liverpool and Everton ground-sharing, an idea which sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe is also believed to support.

Dalglish Praises Liverpool Season

Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes the Reds have closed the gap on champions Manchester United and can go one better next season.

Liverpool are set to finish runners-up to United this season.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "They've pushed them a lot harder than they have in the previous three or four years.

"They can certainly be proud of their efforts this season. This year there has been a lot of optimism and we can look forward to next year."

Dalglish added: "It would have been very positive to win the Premier League but I think there's a lot of stability at the football club now. Maybe that wasn't here in October and November.

"Rafa [Benitez, manager] has signed a new contract and have Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger and a lot of the younger players.

"I'm sure they'll be some people coming in and some going out. But the stronger [players] we get the better chance we will have."

Dalglish could have a role to play in the future success of the club as Benitez would like him involved in some way in the Liverpool set-up.

He said: "We'll just have to wait and see. If I can be of any help to this football club then I will be.

"If it's more helpful for me to be a supporter then fine. It's no problem, I don't have any grievances with anyone."

We Have The Spirit To Catch Manchester United Next Year, Says Liverpool Goalkeeper Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina believes that Liverpool's onfield bust-up was merely an example of the spirit that will be required to overhaul Manchester United.

The Anfield keeper watched in horror as team-mates Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa almost came to blows after a heated exchange during the win at West Brom.

The pair have been criticised for the very public show of disharmony in the Reds camp but the Spaniard insisted they were just showing the passion needed to challenge at the top of the table.

"It showed our mentality and our motivation to win the game and not to concede a goal," said Reina.

"It is normal and it can happen on the pitch so let's forget it. We are trying our hardest to catch Manchester United and it just showed the mentality we have in trying to be the best."

Liverpool are desperately frustrated they failed to catch United despite a club record haul of points.

If they win their last match, they will finish on 86 - their biggest total ever, and will also become the only side to lose just two matches and not win the league.

Carragher's show of spirit threatened to spill over when he raged at Arbeloa for failing to get back to cover the right back position.

But Reina believes that Liverpool must continue to show that sort of desire if they are to take the final step and actually get past United and win the Premier League.

"We have already beaten the club record in terms of points but it wasn't enough," he said.

"United didn't slip at any time so we have to congratulate them and keep pushing for the next few years.

"We are really proud to be closer but we will be even prouder to win it. That's the next step.

"We are becoming a stronger team because when I first joined Liverpool we were something like 30 points behind them and now it is only three or four points."

Many people were surprised with the strength of feeling shown by the two Liverpool defenders in a game that didn't mean as much once United secured their third Premier League triumph in a row on the Saturday.

But Reina explained: "Knowing that Man United had become champions on Saturday meant that we had to give everything to try and finish second and also to be as professional as we can."

Olsson Plays Down Gerrard Spat

West Brom defender Jonas Olsson has played down his on-field spat with Steven Gerrard in Liverpool's 2-0 win at The Hawthorns.

Olsson hit out at the England international in first-half stoppage-time on Sunday as he thought the Reds' maestro had dived under a challenge in search of a penalty.

The 26-year-old Swedish stopper says the incident has not diminished his respect for the Liverpool playmaker, saying he still regards him as one of the world's best.

Olsson has conceded his display at the back end of the game was not quite up to scratch, although he feels defenders are always going to come off second best against the likes of Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt.

"I screamed at him, 'You're too good to dive like that'," Olsson told Aftonbladet. "He said that he didn't dive and that it was a penalty.

"There is always banter going on during the game, especially in the heat of the moment. But I have the utmost respect for Gerrard. He is one of the best players in the world.

"It is one-on-one at the end. During the last half hour, I faced Gerrard, Torres and Kuyt, that means there will be chances. When Kuyt made it 2-0 I wasn't perfect, but it is a tough situation."

We Will Aim For More Than 86 Points Next Season - Liverpool Midfielder Lucas Leiva

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has revealed that planning has already begun on Merseyside for next season, and has promised that the Reds will come back after the summer a much better and stronger outfit.

"We have showed that we have the quality to fight for the title and we will desperate to go one better and win it next season," he told the club's official website.

"We have 83 points and if we could finish the season with 86 points that would be a record for the club. Next season our challenge is to get more than 86 points and try to win the title."

Manchester United's title celebrations were obviously viewed somewhat enviously at Anfield as well, with Lucas going on to reveal that he had to switch the television off when the trophy was presented to the Red Devils.

"I watched the game but when they were about to receive the trophy I switched off my TV," he added.

"Manchester United deserve the title because they have been consistent but we know we can do it next season. Last year in January 2008 we were out of the fight for the race for the title but this year we were right up there challenging, so that shows we are a good team.

"We have to believe in ourselves next season and we have the quality to win the title."

Liverpool's downfall this season has not been their away performances but rather their displays at Anfield which have often lacked the discipline and vibrancy shown away from the Shankley Gates.

"Our away form has been really good," Lucas added.

"We have scored a lot of goals and won a lot of games, but the main disappointment for us this year was drawing too many games at home.

"We knew that drawing those games could be the key and cost us at the end of the season and unfortunately we were right. We dropped too many points against teams who came to Anfield playing really narrow and deep."

Sloppy Anfield Form Cost Us Title Challenge, Admits Dirk Kuyt

Dirk Kuyt has admitted Liverpool's home form undermined their title challenge even before they defeated Manchester United in March and that Rafael Benítez's team "were not quite good enough" to stop their fierce rivals drawing level on 18 league championships this season.

Liverpool have dropped only two points from a possible 30 since losing to Middlesbrough in February to deliver their strongest title challenge of the Premier League era and elevate expectations for next season. Their one slip in that sequence was the 4-4 draw with Arsenal at Anfield, but Kuyt believes the six stalemates at home before then – against the likes of Stoke City, Hull City and Manchester City – had left Benítez's men with an insurmountable task ahead of their 4-1 victory at Old Trafford on 14 March.

"It's a shame that the season is ending now," said the Dutch international, whose goal at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday ensured his highest return – 15 – as a Liverpool player. "The performances we have shown in the last couple of months have been very good. If the season had gone on for another month then maybe we could have been even closer to United. The problem was when we went into the game against United the gap was basically 10 points [seven points plus a game in hand]. We beat them and pushed them really, really hard but that was a very big gap for us to try and make up. If the gap had been closer then, the run-in might have been even more interesting but United won all their games anyway."