'Pool fail to leave their mark in title race

For the third successive season, since Rafael Benitez took over at Anfield, Liverpool finished the campaign with no extra effort in the championship race as consistency deserted them once more.

True, Liverpool did well in Europe, reaching the Champions League final for the second time in Benitez's short spell, even if they were beaten 2-1 by Milan.

But, the final was another feather in the cap for the Spanish mentor who won two Primera Liga crowns for Valencia, keeping at bay the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

In Spain, Benitez showed that his sides can also thrive in domestic competition.

The Anfield fans are hoping that Liverpool will be serious Premiership contenders next season after the US takeover. It seems, the cash is now available to strengthen the side and to build a new stadium.

However, to gain consistency in the English league, Benitez must stop reshuffling his pack as he did on so many occasions last season.

Main rivals, Manchester United and Chelsea, both relied on the same 15 players in Premiership competition. They let the reserves do the talking in the two domestic contests.

Chelsea lifted both trophies and United reached the FA Cup final thanks to their vast squads.

The points' gap between the top two and third-placed Liverpool left Benitez's side well off their tails in the Premiership race.

Last season, the Reds conceded fewer goals at home than any other team, letting in seven in 19 appearances. Yet, the drop of 14 points from the previous season's total is a setback, when considering that 12 of these were forfeited at Anfield.

On the disciplinary side, Liverpool were the only outfit not to have a player dismissed in the Premiership campaign.

Coleman sacked

Fulham decided to sack manager Chris Coleman, who took over in April 2003, and appointed Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez for the last five games.

Critics stressed that had Coleman stayed, the Cottagers would still have survived as they only won one match from the five with Sanchez on the bench.

The Londoners were lucky that their win came against Liverpool. In the last three games, the Reds fielded under-strength sides to keep their key players away from injuries since they had the Champions League final to look at.

Fulham were miserable away from home, equalling that one win of the previous season on their travels. In 2005-06 they emerged victorious in Newcastle and last season they gained three points from their London derby against West Ham at Upton Park.

In 2006/07 they also leaked the biggest number of goals, 42, on the away front - more than two for each game played. This summer club chairman Mohamed Al Fayed said he would make funds available and give Sanchez the chance to bolster his side.

The business mogul has now been in charge at Fulham for a decade.

Fulham have just announced a four-year kit supply deal with Nike, ending their association with Airness after just one year. They will also have new shirt sponsors as 'Pipex' will make way for 'LG Electronics'.

In the domestic cups, Fulham hit a low ebb when they fell to Wycombe at home in round two of the League Cup. Their run in the FA Cup lasted only one other round as neighbours Spurs hit them for four in front of the Fulham fans.

Liverpool, the FA Cup holders, lost at their first time of asking, going down to Arsenal in round three at Anfield. The Gunners had also halted the Reds' progress in the League Cup with a tennis-score win of 6-3 at Anfield.

In the Champions League it was a different story as Liverpool reached the Athens final, elbowing out holders Barcelona and rivals Chelsea in the process.