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Despite being cruelly denied a first title in 24 years when for so long it seemed like the Premier League trophy was destined to be heading for Anfield, last season was still a roaring success for Liverpool.

The Reds’ only requirement was to qualify for the Champions League – which they managed with three games to spare – and while missing out on a majestic return to their perch was a crushing disappointment given how close they had come to being crowned champions, Liverpool could still look forward to a long-awaited return to Europe’s elite club competition after five years in the wilderness.

Of course, Reds fans had every reason to be excited. The club prides itself on its European pedigree, and for the vast majority of supporters, memories of Istanbul – where they won their fifth European title in 2005 – are still joyously fresh.

Since the golden years of the 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool have had an obsession with the competition. The domestic title has proved elusive for nearly a quarter of a century, which means that the definition of success for the Reds is dependent entirely on whether or not they are in Europe.

In the period between 2009 and 2014 – when Liverpool were absent from the Champions League – the club won the League Cup and reached both the FA Cup final and the semi-finals of the Europa League. Not bad for a team which was going through some of its most troubling times, but the fact that the dark cloud engulfing Anfield only really dissipated last season with qualification to the Champions League – which, it must be remembered, came during an ultimately trophyless campaign for the Reds – shows that dreams of Europe on Merseyside still rule.

And yet, much has changed in the Champions League since 2009.

The days when the old Big Four of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal would consistently reach the latter stages of the tournament are over. Since its zenith in the mid-2000s, the Premier League has been in rapid decline as the Spanish La Liga and the German Bundesliga have emerged as the strongest leagues in world football in terms of quality. Chelsea are now the only English team capable of progressing far into the competition, and even then, they are still considered underdogs compared to the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

This sobering reality has hit Liverpool hard this season. Their back-to-back deafeats against Real Madrid in the group stage highlights the contrasting recent fortunes of both clubs.

Just five years ago, a relatively weak Reds side thrashed the Spanish giants 5-0 on aggregate to progess to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. In the present day, Real are the most dominant side on the planet, having won their tenth European title in May, while Liverpool are battling it out with FC Basle and Ludogorets Razgrad to even make it out of the group.

Their difficulties in Europe are also having an adverse effect on their domestic campaign as the Reds have already lost five league games, one fewer than they managed during the whole of last season. This raises a difficult question that many Liverpool fans are likely to have asked themselves already: why even bother with the Champions League?

Many attributed the Reds’ unexpected title charge last year to their lack of European football, which gave Brendan Rodgers’ side more time to rest and prepare for league matches than their rivals competing on the continent. However, now that Liverpool have qualified for Europe, they seem to have no chance of winning neither the Premier League nor the Champions League.

Surely sacrificing one for the sake of having a shot at success in the other makes sense, and given that the Champions League contains a greater amount of superior sides than the Premier League, should the latter not be a priority for the Reds?

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Liverpool may yet qualify from their group and improve on their dismal start to the season, but already it is beginning to look like a case of the grass being greener for the Anfield club. For the executives, board members, chairmen and owners of European football’s top sides, qualification to the financially lucrative Champions League will always remain a top priority. But for the fans who demand actual, tangible, trophy-shaped success above all else, it is hard to see the appeal of the competition if a select number of teams are the only one realistically capable of winning it.

The Reds have a talented, ambitious manager who may one day build a squad which is strong enough to emerge as serious competitors for Europe’s ultimate prize. However, that day is a long way off.

What do you think? Follow me on Twitter @GruffuddOwen

Club record signing Erik Lamela has struggled to live up to the hefty price tag Tottenham shelled out to bring him to London.

In the infamous 2013 summer spending spree, the former Roma winger arrived at White Harte Lane for almost £30m, with Gareth Bale sized boots to fill.

The Argentine international found it very difficult to cope with the hustle and bustle of the Premier League during his maiden season, but some improvement was offered last time out.

While not fully justifying his fee, such an improvement has to lead to excitement emanating out of the North London side. Transfer activity has been limited at the club this summer, but a rejuvenated Lamela is like a new signing. A cliché perhaps, but should he earn his spurs – the top four better look out.

The 23-year old returned to his second season in England a lot tougher. His 2.4 tackles per game easily surpassed the likes of Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend, those who battle him for a first team place on the wings. The flimsy, deer-in-headlights like individual we saw arrive under Andre Villas-Boas is starting to get to grips with the physicality on the Premier League.

Compatriot Maurico Pochettino is widely known to employ an all action, high pressing approach on his sides, and it appears Lamela is beginning to reap the rewards. This tenacity affords him confidence on the ball – even he loses it, he will track back to recover possession.

When the £30m man battles the ball back off his opponents, his surging runs can shift game momentum. Known for his impressive dribbling ability, the counter attack can begin. With a poacher such as Harry Kane leading the line, Tottenham have two hotshots.

The willingness to track back is all very well, and will surely endear him to his manager, but what ‘Spurs fans want is attacking flair. Eight assists and five goals last season is not the form of a club record signing, but a vast improvement on last time out. More importantly still, the quality of his goals were mouth-watering.

A wonder goal against Burnley, cutting inside from the right and unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner, the ball almost seemed to gather flames as it rocketed past a helpless Tom Heaton.

And of course, we all remember THAT goal. A stunning rabona from the edge of the box in a Europa League clash against Asteras Tripolis showcased the player’s penchant for dazzling unpredictability. The true grit he has brought into his game since arriving in England balances nicely against his unquestionable skill with a ball at his feet.

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Should he carry on with this upward trajectory of improvement, Lamela can offer Spurs genuine quality in the final third. Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane have their strengths, and could compliment the raging Argentine nicely.

Where Kane plunders and poaches, Eriksen calculates and creates. The unpredictability and tenacity of a Lamela on song gives the side a varied front line in their quest to reach the Champions League.

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Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey insists the club should allow manager Roy Hodgson to leave for Liverpool if they come calling for his services.

The Merseysiders parted company with Rafael Benitez and the veteran tactician is believed to be interesting the Anfield-based outfit as they seek to fill the vacant managerial hot-seat.

Hodgson helped guide the unfashionable Cottagers to the final of the Europa League last term after seeing off the challenges posed by Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg.

Although they narrowly lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in the showpiece, Hodgson has demonstrated his ability to get the best out of his players and Dempsey feels it would be fair for him to talk to the Reds’ hierarchy if they sought him.

Speaking to reporters, the American international said:“If the coach wants to be there he will be there.

“He has to do the best for him and his family. It is not something I can worry about.

“I am with Fulham for three more years and I will do my best for them until something happens.

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“If he wants to stay, let him stay. If he wants to go, let him go.”

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As Wayne Rooney trudged off the Green Point Stadium field on Friday night, he turned to the camera and eloquently stated, “Nice to see your own fans booing you. If that’s what loyal support is…for f**k’s sake.” With the nation unsurprisingly outraged by Rooney’s assertion, a hastily-assembled apology was swiftly issued by the Football Association on the Manchester United man’s behalf. Although for the sake of my reputation amongst friends and family I chimed in with a vicious condemnation of Mr. Rooney’s character and behaviour, I couldn’t help but agree a little with the comments of England’s number ten. Having stewed a little more upon what he said, I thought to myself, does Wayne Rooney have a point?

Yes, England’s draw against Algeria was an unwanted result. Yes, the performance was turgid and disappointing. However, the failure to break down an Algerian ranked 22 places behind England in FIFA’s world ranking was as much attributable to the North African side’s determination and organisation as it was to England’s shortcomings. But, it seems as though the level of disappointment and anger aimed at the England side is resultant from the nature of England’s support. Let me elucidate.

For better or for worse, the press and fans within this country heap an unbelievable amount of pressure upon the national team prior to and during every major international tournament. I cannot fathom why the fans and media consistently have such expectations; England have won just one major international tournament in history (and that was a 44 years ago), despite the presence of world-class players the side perennially struggle to perform as a team, and there are several other nations in the world with more distinguished international histories and the ability to perform much better than England as a team (in this writer’s opinion Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Holland, Italy and, in spite of their poor showing, France, all fit the bill here).

So before a single ball is even kicked, the 23 men selected to represent the nation are already subject to unfeasibly unrealistic hopes and expectations. Following the announcement of the draw for the World Cup group stages, one popular tabloid newspaper greeted said draw with the headline of ‘E – ngland, A – lgeria, S – lovenia, Y – anks’, simultaneously displaying extreme arrogance and further heaping pressure upon the England side.

Despite common belief, I find it unfathomable to believe that not a single one of the players selected to face USA and Algeria did not give 100%. Whilst credit must be given to the USA and Algeria, the sub-standard nature of individual players’ performances can be linked to the fear borne of such high expectations.

Thanks to the work of an aforementioned tabloid newspaper and a collective relative lack of knowledge of international football, fans expected England to ‘batter’ or ‘thrash’ the ‘vastly inferior’ USA and Algeria. As such, many of England’s players, for fear of national vilification, were unable to play with the freedom with which they do for their respective club sides. Whilst many England fans are quick to build up their players and their side, they are just as willing to knock them down and crucify them for their perceived failures.

The booing which followed the final whistle on Friday evening was indicative of this fan culture. Whilst I empathise with the fans who spent thousands of pounds in order to travel to South Africa, I cannot help but feel that the main purpose of said trip was not for personal enjoyment or entertainment, but to support their team, and to show their support through thick and thin. After the draw against Algeria, it is unlikely that fans would have harboured a level of disappointment even remotely comparable to the level within the squad itself. With the side already under pressure, I cannot help but feel that booing may have exacerbated the weight of expectation upon the already beleaguered players.

Despite the abject nature of England’s first two displays, the side remain in a good position to finish top of their group, and unlike the likes of Spain and France, do not have to rely upon other results going their way.

Unfortunately, due to my dearth of knowledge regarding fan support in other countries I cannot compare England with other nations across the world. Whilst I do understand the need of fans to express their displeasure at England’s below-par displays, I cannot help but feel the manner of support may be to the detriment of the team.

Come on England!

Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul

Click image below to see a gallery of the Italian babes at the World Cup:

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Newcastle United have emerged as the favourites to sign Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley after Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that the England Under-21 international will be allowed to leave Old Trafford on a season-long loan deal.

Magpies boss Chris Hughton made enquiries about Cleverley last season when the 20-year-old was on loan at Watford.

Hughton said recently: "We are looking at the loan market and, if someone becomes available who will add to our squad, of course we would be interested. We have made our enquiries and we're hopeful of bringing some in."

Meanwhile, Ferguson has said:"Tom is a very talented boy. He is going to be a very good footballer. We are also considering putting him on loan to a premier division team.

"He improved tremendously in his spell at Watford last year. He got an unfortunate injury towards the end of last season and was out for a long time. He has just come back and can play anywhere in midfield, which is always an advantage."

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Cleverley has failed to make a first-team appearance for United but did feature in 35 games for Watford last season, scoring 11 times, and played ten games for Leicester City during a temporary spell at the Walkers Stadium in the second half of the 2008-09 campaign.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Since FootballFanCast reported on the breaking news last week that West Ham co-owner David Sullivan had unilaterally blocked Tottenham Hotspurs’ reported approach for Scott Parker, the story has continued unabated. Rumours and press reports have duly circulated, suggesting that Liverpool may now be interested, that the player wishes to hear Spurs’ offer and that the Lilywhites may have received some form of encouragement from West Ham prior to their bid. David Sullivan’s fervent remarks were widely welcomed by Hammers fans but is there any substance to these reports? Is the colourful co-owner reassessing his stance or is media speculation simply rearing its head over Upton Park?

The new Irons boss Avram Grant has echoed the comments of David Sullivan in the past week regarding the sought after midfielder. “We want to plan to improve for the next few seasons and Scott Parker is a big part of this process.” For West Ham fans the hope was such comments would put this unwanted story to bed. The club’s evident displeasure at Spurs’ bid for Parker was counteracted by Harry Redknapp’s criticism of Sullivan’s decision to make the bid public. “I’m sure the chairman got some form of encouragement or he wouldn’t have made the offer.” In scenes reminiscent of a school slanging match, Grant hit back claiming that there was no truth in this suggestion. It is worth recalling that relations between the two London clubs have not been amicable in the recent past. West Ham’s former chief executive Scott Duxbury stated that under his watch the club would not do any transfer business with Spurs and the new owners remain bitter at their rivals’ late and successful attempt to sign Eidur Gudjohnson earlier this year. However, do Redknapp’s comments allude to a conscious decision by West Ham to unsettle Parker and increase his price tag?

Sullivan is not averse to saying one thing when meaning another. Shortly after his takeover of the east London club with partner David Gold, he made a series of comments about Gianfranco Zola’s affability and the need for players to take a sizeable pay cut before a home clash against Birmingham. When West Ham came through that contest Karen Brady portrayed Sullivan as a ‘smart old bird’ as he had purportedly united the dressing room and took the pressure off the players. It was a tactic he had employed before but had it gone the other way it would have been less of the wily old fox and more of the old man in the fanciful claret smoking jacket.

Does this raise the prospect of Sullivan attempting to be double-handed by unsettling Parker whilst securing the best possible price for him? West Ham fans would not welcome such a strategy but there are a few reasons why media outlets, including talkSPORT are intimating a potential U-turn. The co-owners were not reticent to outline the size of the club’s debts following their takeover which they estimated at over £100 million. Player sales are the most efficient way of raising revenue and despite saying the best players would not be sold, the top performers at a club will attract the most attention. The Hammers have signed four players this summer but the only players who have left have done so on free transfers. With twelve senior midfielders on their books this is the area where player sales are most likely. Following the signing of Thomas Hitzlsperger and the improvement of academy graduate Mark Noble, are the club hierarchy reviewing the stance adopted last week?

The West Ham faithful will hope not and the duration of this story will depend on Parker who has given no concrete indication that he is seeking a move away from the Boleyn Ground. His commitment and passion on the pitch have made him a revered figure at West Ham. The fans may just be starting to realise, however, that Sullivan’s comments should always be taken with a pinch of salt.

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CSKA Moscow's Serbia international winger Milos Krasic is moving closer to joining Juventus, having definitely decided against trying his luck in England with Manchester City.

The 25-year-old has made it known that Juve is his preferred destination, even though a deal is taking some time to be agreed.

Krasic's agent, Dejan Joksimovic, told Tuttosport:"There hasn't been direct contact in the last week, but the situation is now favourable.

"Milos can't wait to be able to sign his contract with Juventus. He has been waiting for this moment all summer.

"He refused Manchester City's offer and he expressly told the CSKA directors that if they were to let him go to Juventus, he would be happy.

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"Juventus only have to resolve some questions linked to the sale of one or two players. They won't be able to proceed with Milos' signing until these have been resolved."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Soon after he had signed for Aston Villa Stephen Ireland launched a barrage of abuse at Manchester City after one of the most acrimonious transfers of the summer involving James Milner. Ireland did not pull any punches and his assessment of his former club was scathing, The Guardian quotes the midfielder as stating,

“I don’t think loyalty is much in anyone’s mind at Manchester City. I felt like I would be next (to leave). A lot of players felt like that as well.”

His words are in stark contrast to those of Craig Bellamy, who perhaps surprisingly was respectful and did not have a bad word to say about Manchester City, it is true that he is still a City player of course but it would not have been a shock had Bellamy torn into those at Eastlands. More often than not the best way to respond to a perceived injustice is to do it on the pitch rather than sounding off about the situation in the media. Stephen Ireland obviously takes an alternate view however in his acerbic criticism of the club.

The Guardian also quotes Ireland as stating “I’ve really landed on my feet here (Villa). I think it’s a family club and one that will get the best out of me…Even the young lads are so polite. I’m actually quite shocked with that. At City they’re not like that. They’re coming in with £10,000 watches on their wrists and walking around as if they have played 200 Premier League games.”

This might be a valid critique, but coming from Stephen Ireland it reeks of hypocrisy. The Irishman is certainly no miser and ostentatious displays of his great wealth are not rare events, this is the man after all who said he wanted a shark tank installed under his kitchen. Ireland is one of the most ‘blinged’ up players in the Premiership so for him to moan about others doing the same is somewhat ridiculous.

Stephen Ireland has never had any problems with self-esteem, and in The Guardian he is quoted as saying “I can easily say I’ve got, if not more ability, as much ability as any player they have signed this year”.

Given the standard of players that City have signed this year, this is no mean feat but surely if he had such skills he would have been a regular last season. Ireland will point to the manager in this regard, whom he also slams for having no relationship with the players. As well as claiming Milner is in for an unpleasant shock when his Man City career gets underway, Stephen Ireland also publically stated that Shay Given should leave the club, on Tribal Football the Irishman is quoted,

“I would like to see Shay go. He needs to be playing every week.”

Stephen Ireland then, is definitely not short of a word or two on the subject of his former club. But whilst he claims he is delighted to be at Aston Villa, his words have a whiff of bitterness about them and one gets the impression that Ireland is very disappointed to have left Manchester City. Ireland has made these comments now, and they cannot be taken back, they may not have been totally advisable but he is an outspoken character. In the future though, perhaps he should be a little more reticent on the subject, and let his football do the talking. This by far the best way to show Manchester City what they are missing this season.

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Manager Carlo Ancelotti will be in the Chelsea dugout for Sunday's Premier League showdown with Arsenal despite the death of his father.

Ancelotti's father, Giuseppe, passed away in Italy on Wednesday night following a lengthy illness.

"Carlo Ancelotti's father Giuseppe passed away in Italy last night aged 87 with his son at his side," read a club statement.

"Everyone at Chelsea Football Club sends our deepest condolences to Carlo and his family. They are all in our thoughts at this time.

"The funeral will take place in Italy on Saturday. Carlo will return to London for Sunday's match versus Arsenal."

Speaking recently, Ancelotti had admitted the difficultly he faced in balancing his personal and professional life at such a difficult time.

"My father is not well. He is an old man. He has a lot of problems. When possible I fly back to Italy to see him and he has good support from my sister," he explained.

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"He has a lot of problems and it's tough emotionally when it's your father.

"But this is life and I have to do my best to stay close to him. Everyone at the club knows my situation and they have all given me good support."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

One of the more prominent players in European football who could be available for free next summer is Philippe Mexes, the AS Roma centre-back is in the last year of his contract and a new one is not signed, there will be a host of clubs interested in talking to the Frenchman. It has been widely reported that one of these interested parties is Chelsea, with the Daily Mail saying that Carlo Ancelotti is monitoring the defenders contract talks. The question that needs to be asked then, do Chelsea need Philippe Mexes?

Mexes has been a stalwart for Roma since signing for the club from Auxerre in 2004, forming a strong central pairing with Brazilian centre-back Juan in recent seasons. The arrival of Nicolas Burdisso on loan from Inter last season though saw Mexes drop down the pecking order, and he started only 17 games. Burdisso was signed permanently in the summer so Mexes must have some concerns over how much game time he is going to get this term, and with a new manager in the form of Laurent Blanc at the helm of the France national team, Mexes will want to play in order to cement his place in the international set-up.

Despite being an almost ever present for Roma, Mexes has thus far experienced a frustrating international career, so does this say something about his quality? Since 2002 Mexes has only picked up 14 caps, a very disappointing return for a player who is regarded by many as a very good centre-back. What needs to be taken into account of course is the fact that Raymond Domenech was in charge for six years, and he is a manager not exactly known for making sound, rational decisions. Maybe Domenech did not like Aries, because why Mexes was hardly ever selected is a mystery to most. Under Laurent Blanc, Mexes has played in the first three games, and will be looking to become a regular under the new boss.

Philippe Mexes is now 28 and so as a centre-back he should be in the prime of his career. Mexes is a tall, strong and determined defender who gives his sides real steel in the backline and is hard to beat aerially. He can be a rash player however, and can give away poor free-kicks or penalties and is not averse to ill-discipline.

In my opinion, both John Terry and Alex are better players than Mexes and Branislav Ivanovic is a more than capable deputy for either one of them. If one of these three were to pick up a serious injury however, you would worry about a lack of cover in central defence, and Mexes would therefore be a welcome addition to the squad if not necessarily an automatic first choice. If he could be brought in on a free transfer that would make the deal even sweeter, and if this became an option for Ancelotti, I certainly wouldn’t advise him against a move.

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Competition for Philippe Mexes will be hot if his contract talks do not amount to a new deal, and Chelsea would certainly be an attractive club for him to join. I would not be convinced about Mexes if Ancelotti was planning on making him a first choice player, but Chelsea do lack a bit of depth in central defence and if he was added as a squad player I think Mexes would be a fine acquisition. If Dutch duo Patrick van Aanholt and Jeffrey Bruma can show some worth this season though, Ancelotti may want to concentrate on giving youth a chance rather than signing another experienced centre-back.

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