This entry is about football.

The English Premier League kick-started last Saturday and over the weekend, all the "Big Four" gained 3 points except the Red Devils. This season is going to be exciting because most of the teams have strengthened their squad and difference between teams has been narrowed.

I have been a Liverpool for more than 10 years, and it's well known among my friends. During this long period of time, I can't said that I am very satisfied with the team performance because for almost 2 decades, the team haven't lifted the most important trophy - the league title. They have won everything except this one.

It was the "dark age" of Liverpool under the final years of Houiller but the "new" manager is giving hope to the fans. He lifted the Champion League in his first year, FA Cup in the second and it was very close to lift the Champion League again in the third. Yet, it was still far away from the trophy most wanted by the fans. However, I believe the club is in the right hand heading to the right direction.

To Criticise is easy, the following is some of the criticism to Liverpool, or more appropriately, Rafa Benitez:

1. After 3 years leading the team, he should have lost his job without a league title: I think the board of directors are very happy with the progress that the team has made. Yes, the team still fails to become a successful title contender in the league but the unexpected trophy of the Champion League and also the FA Cup in the second year should keep his job for a few years at least. If 3 years without the league title means losing the job then Sir Alex should have lost his job as he only won one League Cup and one FA Cup between 03/04 and 05/06 seasons. Arsene Wenger should have lost his job as his last league title was 3 years ago, he even finished below Liverpool in the league for the last 2 seasons! Some critics said that when Benitez took up the position, the team wasn't that bad. But to me, even the team is already very good, if it's not your choice of players, then you will need to have more time to rebuild. Oh yes, the team wasn't that bad, it was the European champion. In fact, Jose Mourinho is with the support of billions of euros, Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex have been building their teams for more than a decade; it is just unfair to compare Rafa Benitez with them on the same footing.

2. Rafa Benitez has been changing his attacking options too often: there is no doubt about it but some critics think that he blamed his strikers for his inability of attack is totally nonsense. Yes, he released Owen and Heskey in his first year, Baros and Morientes the next and finally Cisse, Fowler and Bellamy in the last. However, among these players, only Morientes, Fowler and Bellamy were his acquisitions. Owen wanted to leave even before Rafa's arrival. Heskey wasn't a terrific player at all (can be seen from his career progress since his departure). Baros wasn't fit to Rafa's tactics. Fowler, once an idol of the team, was understood to be transitional since his arrival. Bellamy was quite ok on the pitch but it's the off-pitch problem that forced him out, it was also understood that it was a gamble at the beginning. After all, the only one that people can criticize seriously on is the purchase of Morientes. Well, this is only one mistake in the transfer market and this attracts that amount of criticism. How about the like of Jeffers of Arsene Wenger? "Crouch may soon leave too!" some may say, but he is still in the team and how can he be put into the argument? In fact, there have been changes in all positions in the team, not only the striking force and it's absolutely normal.

3. Liverpool striking force has been weak because of this changing formation and his tactics: this about the style of playing and team management. Rafa Benitez won the league title with Valencia without any big name strikers. That means it is not a must to have someone netting 20 something to win the title. He demands more contribution from the midfield and I think it is fair, every team has different style of playing. Again, this weak striking force has been used as the supportive reason for the aforementioned criticisms. However, with only limited resourse available, Benitez has been doing a fairly good job to build the team as a whole.

I think the coming season should be the first season to justify Benitez's ability in winning the league, as he finally has his big name signings that he wanted. But I think it's still reasonable to finish the table second or third placed if the difference between the top is not that significant. After all, all other teams have been spending much and you will need a bit of luck to win the title. Yes, for Man United and Chelsea, they are still tipped as the favourites, so it's not a disaster for Liverpool not winning it this season, and of course, shouldn't cost Rafa the job if the team doesn't finish too badly below the top.

You can always point your finger to others if they don't meet the expectation you set for them.