Liverpool finished the 2008/09 campaign four points behind champions Manchester United in the final standings but, at least, had the consolation of recording an improvement on their past seasons in the Premier League.
The seven draws they had at Anfield is what probably let them down in their attempt to grab the championship crown from the hands of United.
But it is no use contemplating on ifs and buts, Liverpool must be prepared for 2009-2010 to produced a stronger challenge.
Last season, they did the double on United and Chelsea but no team can lose precious points at home to lowly sides and aspire to win the league.
In addition to attaining their best tally ever of 86 points, on the last day of the season Liverpool beat Tottenham 3-1 to extend their unbeaten home run in the league to 30 matches − the best sequence in 28 years. The 43 points away from home is the best in the club's history for a season. They also finished with the best goal difference, the side that scored most and conceded the fewest defeats.
The 4-1 victory at Old Trafford was Liverpool's best over their rivals since 1932. But Alex Ferguson's know-how in tight situations could never be matched by Rafael Benitez in the end.
With all the money he had at his disposal, Manchester City manager Mark Hughes saw his team finish in a modest mid-table position.
The challenge Hughes faced once the Dubai owners took over was different to what he had expected after replacing Sven-Goran Eriksson. Still, the flood of money the manager got could not buy him a magic wand.
The critics, sometimes, expected much more from Hughes but he got on with his job even if in the end the side fell short of a top six finish.
City's biggest asset, Robinho, blew hot and cold and he appeared like a spoilt child on occasions. City's player of the year was Stephen Ireland.
The team's away record was appalling to say the least with only two wins to show. They conceded 32 goals on their travels. Hughes's buy of the season came when he captured goalkeeper Shay Given in the January transfer window.
Double over Real
After finishing their Champions League group matches undefeated, Liverpool had to face Chelsea again in the quarter-finals and lost 4-6 on aggregate.
In the previous round, Liverpool had trounced Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield after they won the first leg at the Bernabeau 1-0.
The Citizens progressed from a tough group in the UEFA Cup but went down to Hamburg 3-4 over two legs in the quarter-finals.
In the FA Cup, Liverpool lost to bitter rivals Everton in round four in a replay. In this same round, the Reds met their League Cup waterloo at Tottenham 2-4.
In the League Cup, Manchester City lost at lowly Brighton at the first time of asking, 3-5 in a penalty shoot-out. In the FA Cup third round, City were beaten 3-0 by N. Forest at Eastlands.