5) Yossi Benayoun
Benni was brilliant in 2009, scoring late winners, important goals, and being a general pain in the ass to the opposition no matter what the occasion. His contribution to the title challenge was perhaps stronger than anyone else’s in the side, and he essentially forced Rafa to choose between him and Riera… which meant Yossi won out towards the last few months. His creativity was pivotal to our success, as were his goals. GREAT season from the Israeli trickster.
Benayoun was a beast this season!
4) Fernando Torres
17 goals in a season blighted by injury is actually quite impressive. There was a feeling that duplicating his amazing first season was going to be difficult, yet Torres managed to play just as well, with a goals-to-game ratio that wasn’t a whole lot lower than his first season. Injuries came at unfortunate times, and for much of the season he was in a state of recovery. That said, he scored goals against Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and dramatic winners and goals over Portsmouth, Sunderland, and Manchester City.
3) Dirk Kuyt
What a difference between seasons. In 2007-2008, Kuyt was that guy who couldn’t get out of the side yet never really did much to earn that spot other than work hard. It was a bit of a mystery why he couldn’t score goals and why he could only net 3 in the Premiership. In 2008-2009, Dirk Kuyt stepped it up a notch. He netted 16 goals, but some of those were unbelievably crucial. Winners over Standard Liege, Manchester City, and Wigan were all within the first few months of the season, and truly set the stage for a season where he would succeed and earn back the love of the supporters he had gained in his first season.
2) Xabi Alonso
Similarly to Dirk Kuyt, but minus the “earning back the fans,” Xabi Alonso rediscovered his best form in 2008-2009. He wasn’t scoring lovely goals in this season, but he seemed to net them when they were needed, including the 1-0 winner over Chelsea, the first in a 3-1 win over Blackburn late on in the match, and also the opener against Hull City when we were looking quite impotent in front of goal. His passing was back to its brilliant best, and whenever we didn’t play it was blaringly obvious because we looked like rubbish in comparison!
1) Steven Gerrard
What can I say about Gerrard that hasn’t already been said? 24 goals, crucial late winners, wonder-strikes, many assists yet again, the captain of a side that is known for its heart, and yes… being the ultimate footballer and earning the PFA Writer’s “Player of the Year.” There has never been a player so influential in all of my time watching the club, and 2008-2009 epitomized his finest traits. He isn’t just a great player, but he is the soul, heart, brain, and muscle of the club. He IS Liverpool, and in 2008-2009, he somehow managed to even step it up a notch. What a fantastic player. He will ALWAYS be my hero in the game. ALWAYS.
