Season Review 2008/2009 – Strikers (Part 2)
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- Posted by pst at 8:43 PM IST
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- Tagged with Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard
I’ve saved the best till last – Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
Fernando Torres started the season on a massive high having won the European Championship with Spain, scoring the winning goal in the final. There was talk of whether Torres would be anywhere near as good this season – the famed second season syndrome. Having scored 17 goals from 38 appearances (including his 50th for Liverpool last week against Spurs) it’s fair to say that he really hasn’t suffered from the Premierships defender increased awareness of his threat.
Injuries have kept him from getting into a regular stride but he still continues to terrify defences whenever he plays – he’s also answered the accusations of being a ‘flat-track bully’, i.e. only scoring against the small sides. This year in the Prem he’s scored against United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton – hardly smaller sides.
The club announced this week that he has signed a contract extension – as one of our two most valuable players, it’s great news for Liverpool and the fans (he also got married in secret, big week!). Given that’s he still only 25 and is arguably the best striker in the world now, when he hits his prime he’s going to be awesome.
The Football Writers Association Player Of The Year is the only silverware that Steven Gerrard picked up this year – beaten to the PFA award due to a ridiculously sentimental mass vote for Ryan Giggs (I appreciate what he’s done in the game but Player of the Year? Please.) Gerrard has already come out in the press and stated his desire to push the club forward and win the Premier League title next season – this contrasts massively with his position in previous pre-seasons, where he has expressed unhappiness at the clubs perceived lack of ambition.
Along with Torres, Kuyt and Agger Stevie has signed a new contract this season and seems to be relishing the forward position that Benitez has used in him this season. Injuries to both himself and Torres have limited their appearances together but when they have played they look like an electric partnership which is on it’s way to looking like an almost telepathic understanding of each others game.
21 goals in total, 100 goals for Liverpool, 100 European appearances for the club – this season has been an immense season for Gerrard and it seems a terrible shame that there is no reward bar Champions League qualification at the end of it. We Liverpool fans are often mocked for the proclaiment that “This year is our year!” but if Rafa lets us keep playing as we did for the last third of this season, and Torres and Gerrard build on their already successful partnership, then title no. 19 is very firmly on next years agenda.
Next up – the players we’ve been linked with signing this summer…
Related posts:
- Season Review 2008/2009 – Strikers (Part 1)
- Season Review 2008/2009 – Defence
- Season Review 2008/2009 – Midfield (Part 1)
- Season Review 2008/2009 – Midfield (Part 2)
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