Liverpool wins the Worthington Cup End of season summary: It is a befitting end to a troubled season. Liverpool's defeat at Stamford Bridge showed clearly what is wrong with the team crafted by Houllier over the last 5 years. Had the Reds pulled off a win and qualified for the Champions' League, Houllier might have been tempted to maintain the status quo and tinker rather than reform. As it is, the manager can no longer resist changes to the playing staff and, more importantly, the way they play. Part of the problem lies in the failure of some players, especially those bought in the last summer. The Senegalese pair of El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao, who shone in the World Cup and were snatched from France before the event, has largely disappointed. Diouf, the former African Player of the Year, was dismal as a striker and after some encouraging performances has also struggled on the right wing. Diao, who has been played at centre back, right back and midfield, has not commanded a regular place, and is probably as much out of sorts as anyone else as to what kind of player he is supposed to be. Hamann or Gerrard he is not. Some fans see Houllier's refusal to sign Nicolas Anelka as a blunder; indeed, the blunders began when he let Jari Litmanen return to Ajax and continued when he brought in Bruno Cheyrou for the creative side of play. Neither Cheyrou nor Valdimir Smicer have been effective in that department, and Houllier has tried to play Diouf or Emile Heskey, both forwards, to provide service for the strikers. It has not helped when the bedrock of what is essentially a defensive, counter-attacking side has been broken up by injuries. The most significant is that of Stephane Henchoz, and the break up of his partnership with Sami Hyypiä in the center of defence has undermined Liverpool's game. Add to that Dietmar Hamann's loss to injury, and Jerzy Dudek's suspect form, and the Reds have not been able to play the game that they have been effective in in the last 2 seasons. Too often, Liverpool have been caught out defensively as a result and had to find a way back. And for a side suspect in defence and lacking in creative football, a struggle to do so often emerged. We are unlike Arsenal, who shoot off the blocks for early loads, or Manchester United, who press strongly for goals at the ends of games. The better performers this season are Danny Murphy in midfield and Michael Owen, and Milan Baros has showed some promise. But it is clear that Murphy cannot do everything on his own and the strikers have flopped badly on days when they essentially had to play on their own up front. The real problem is tactical rigidity. Houllier has tried to provide some width and creativity but a team that was built to be solid in defence and to play the long ball or through ball for the pace of Owen has generally failed to reinvent the game against sides that defend stoutly against them, whether after taking the lead or at Anfield. The team has had their worst home run in years, a sign of its failure to break down massed defences at home. The only time when the Reds were successful in their customary game was against Manchester United in the Worthington Cup final. Confidence is at a low in the side. The days when Houllier's Liverpool rode the emotional and footballing highs with back-to-the-wall defensive displays against United, Roma, Barcelona are gone. They are replaced by long periods of awkward, wayward football ending in humbling defeats by the great - a 4-0 thrashing by United on Liverpool's next match with their rivals after the Cup final, defeats by Valencia and Glasgow Celtic, and also the meek - by Birmingham City, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United. The two problems are related. Liverpool need the players who are creative by nature, and also players who are versed in the play of the English Premiership. Whether it is wingers we need, Houllier needs to offload those who have not performed or have struggled to adapt to the fast-paced English game. Transfer rumours are already brewing on the acquisition of Michael Finnan (Fulham), Damien Duff (Blackburn), Djibril Cisse (Auxerre), among others. Houllier's challenge is to get the right players, sacrifice some defensive strength for creativity and perhaps width, and weld them into a team that can play right, and win. Here's to hoping for more creative and attractive football next season, but also, more importantly, for that elusive league title. 11 May 2003 Premiership: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Hyypiä Red card: Gerrard Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise (Cheyrou 75), Traore, Diao (Heskey 46), Gerrard, Murphy, Baros, Owen, Diouf (Berger 63). 4 May 2003 Premiership: Liverpool 1 Manchester City 2 Scorer: Baros Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Traore, Hamann (Cheyrou 77), Gerrard, Murphy, Baros, Owen, Diouf (Heskey 77). 26 April 2003 Premiership: West Bromich Abion 0 Liverpool 6 Scorers: Owen x4, Baros x2 Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise (Cheyrou 83), Traore, Hamann, Gerrard, Murphy (Diao 79), Baros, Owen, Diouf (Heskey 69). 21 April 2003 Premiership: Liverpool 2 Charlton Athletic 1 Scorers: Hyypiä, Gerrard Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Traore, Hamann, Gerrard, Murphy (Smicer 73), Heskey (Baros 46), Owen, Diouf (Cheyrou 73). 19 April 2003 Premiership: Everton 1 Liverpool 2 Scorers: Owen, Murphy Team: Dudek, Biscan (Diao 8), Carragher, Riise, Traore, Hamann, Gerrard, Murphy, Heskey, Owen, Baros (Diouf 65). 12 April 2003 Premiership: Liverpool 2 Fulham 0 Scorers: Heskey, Owen Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Traore, Hamann, Gerrard, Smicer (Cheyrou 90), Heskey, Owen, Baros. 5 April 2003 Premiership: Manchester United 4 Liverpool 0 Red card: Hyypiä Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Traore, Murphy (Cheyrou 82), Hamann, Gerrard, Diouf (Smicer 71), Heskey, Baros (Biscan 8). 23 March 2003 Premiership: Liverpool 3 Leeds United 1 Scorers: Owen, Murphy, Gerrard Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Traore, Murphy, Hamann (Diao 79), Gerrard, Diouf, Heskey (Baros 79), Owen. 21 March 2003 UEFA Cup Quarterfinal 2nd leg: Liverpool 0 Glasgow Celtic 2 Celtic win 3-1 on aggregate Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Traore, Murphy, Gerrard, Riise, Hamann, Heskey, Smicer (Baros 56), Owen. 17 March 2003 Premiership: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Liverpool 3 Scorers: Owen, Heskey, Gerrard Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Traore, Murphy, Hamann (Diao 88), Gerrard, Diouf, Heskey, Owen. 14 March 2003 UEFA Cup Quarterfinal 1st leg: Glasgow Celtic 1 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Heskey Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Traore, Murphy, Gerrard, Riise, Hamann, Heskey, Diouf (Biscan 91), Owen. 8 March 2003 Premiership: Liverpool 2 Bolton Wanderers 0 Scorers: Diouf, Owen Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Traore, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard (Diao 72), Smicer (Cheyrou 58), Diouf, Owen. 2 March 2003 Worthington Cup Final: Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0 Scorers: Gerrard, Owen Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Henchoz, Murphy, Gerrard, Riise, Diouf (Biscan 90), Hamann, Heskey (Baros 61, (Smicer 89)), Owen. 28 February 2003 UEFA Cup 4th round 2nd leg: Liverpool 2 Auxerre 0 Liverpool win 3-0 on aggregate Scorers: Owen, Murphy Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Traore (Smicer 46), Henchoz (Biscan 77), Murphy, Gerrard, Riise, Heskey, Diouf (Hamann 63), Owen. 23 February 2003 Premiership: Birmingham City 2 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Owen Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher (Owen 63), Riise, Traore, Murphy, Hamann, Diao, Cheyrou (Mellor 83), Baros, Heskey. 21 February 2003 UEFA Cup 4th round 1st leg: Auxerre 0 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Hyypiä Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Traore, Henchoz (Diao 69), Murphy, Gerrard, Riise, Heskey, Diouf, Owen (Baros 91). 8 February 2003 Premiership: Liverpool 1 Middlesbrough 1 Scorer: Riise Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Henchoz, Murphy, Hamann, Smicer (Diao 60), Heskey (Baros 46), Diouf, Owen. 6 February 2003 FA Cup 4th round replay: Liverpool 0 Crystal Palace 2 Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Henchoz, Murphy (Baros 67), Hamann, Cheyrou, Heskey, Diouf, Owen. 2 February 2003 Premiership: West Ham United 0 Liverpool 3 Scorers: Baros, Gerard, Heskey Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Henchoz, Gerrard, Murphy (Hamann 82), Smicer (Cheyrou 73), Heskey, Diouf, Baros (Owen 79). 30 January 2003 Premiership: Liverpool 2 Arsenal 2 Scorers: Riise, Heskey Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Henchoz, Gerrard, Murphy (Diao 80), Cheyrou (Smicer 69), Heskey, Diouf (Baros 82), Owen. 27 January 2003 FA Cup 4th round: Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 0 Team: Kirkland (Dudek 25), Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Traore, Gerrard, Murphy, Cheyrou (Biscan 85), Heskey, Diouf (Diao 91), Owen. 22 January 2003 Worthington Cup semi-final 2nd leg: Liverpool 2 Sheffield United 0 (a.e.t.) Liverpool win 3-2 on aggregate Scorers: Diouf, Owen Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Carragher, Henchoz, Riise, Murphy, Gerrard, Smicer (Cheyrou 96), Heskey, Owen, Diouf. 18 January 2003 Premiership: Southampton 0 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Heskey Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Carragher, Traore, Riise, Henchoz, Gerrard, Murphy, Heskey, Diouf, Owen. 11 January 2003 Premiership: Liverpool 1 Aston Villa 1 Scorer: Owen Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Henchoz, Gerrard, Diao (Cheyrou 73), Murphy, Mellor (Heskey 61), Diouf (Smicer 61), Owen. 9 January 2003 Worthington Cup semi-final 1st leg: Sheffield United 2 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Mellor Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Carragher, Traore, Henchoz, Murphy, Gerrard, Diao, Smicer (Heskey 56), Mellor (Owen 71), Diouf. 5 January 2003 FA Cup 3rd round: Manchester City 0 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Murphy pen Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Carragher, Traore, Henchoz, Murphy, Gerrard, Diao, Smicer (Riise 86), Mellor (Heskey 74), Diouf. 2 January 2003 Premiership: Newcastle United 1 Liverpool 0 Red card: Diao Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Henchoz, Biscan, Gerrard, Diao, Cheyrou (Smicer 59), Baros (Mellor 55), Diouf (Vignal 79). 29 December 2002 Premiership: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Murphy pen Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Carragher, Riise, Henchoz, Murphy, Gerrard, Diao, Cheyrou (Traore 80), Baros (Biscan 86), Owen (Diouf 33). 27 December 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 1 Blackburn Rovers 1 Scorer: Riise Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Carragher, Traore (Diouf 83), Henchoz, Murphy, Gerrard, Smicer (Biscan 65), Riise, Heskey (Baros 59), Owen. 22 December 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 0 Everton 0 Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Carragher, Traore (Heskey 52), Henchoz, Murphy, Gerrard, Diao (Smicer 52), Riise, Baros, Owen. 19 December 2002 Worthington Cup 5th round: Aston Villa 3 Liverpool 4 Scorers: Murphy x2, Gerrard, Baros Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Babbel (Carragher 39), Traore, Diao, Gerrard, Riise, Baros, Owen (Heskey 76). 15 December 2002 Premiership: Sunderland 2 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Baros Team: Kirkland, Carragher, Biscan (Diouf 62), Traore, Henchoz, Murphy, Gerrard, Hamann (Riise 46), Smicer (Diao 72), Baros, Owen. 13 December 2002 UEFA Cup 3rd round 2nd leg: Liverpook 1 Vitesse Arnhem 0 Liverpool win 2-0 on aggregate Scorer: Owen Team: Kirkland, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Traore, Carragher, Murphy, Smicer (Baros 88), Gerrard, Diao (Hamann 68), Owen, Diouf (Riise 78). 7 December 2002 Premiership: Charlton Athletic 2 Liverpool 0 Team: Kirkland, Carragher, Hyypiä, Traore (Baros 61), Henchoz, Murphy, Gerrard, Hamann, Diouf, Heskey (Riise 36), Owen. 5 December 2002 Worthington Cup 4th round: Liverpool 1 Ipswich 1 Liverpool win 5-4 on penalties Scorer: Diouf pen Team: Dudek, Babbel (Carragher 45), Biscan, Vignal, Xavier, Diao, Gerrard, Smicer (Welsh 83), Riise, Diouf, Mellor (Baros 76). 1 December 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2 Scorer: Hyypiä Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Traore (Riise 78), Babbel, Murphy, Gerrard, Hamann, Smicer (Diouf 70), Baros (Heskey 59), Owen. 29 November 2002 UEFA Cup 3rd round 1st leg: Vitesse Arnhem 0 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Owen Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Traore, Babbel, Murphy, Cheyrou (Smicer 9), Gerrard, Diao, Owen, Baros (Heskey 73). 23 November 2002 Premiership: Fulham 3 Liverpool 2 Scorers: Hamann, Baros Team: Dudek, Carragher, Riise, Hyypiä, Traore, Babbel (Baros 46), Murphy, Diao (Gerrard 46), Hamann, Heskey (Smicer 77), Owen. 17 November 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 0 Sunderland 0 Team: Dudek, Carragher (Riise 67), Hyypiä, Traore, Babbel, Murphy, Diao, Hamann, Smicer (Diouf 67), Heskey, Owen. 13 November 2002 UEFA Champions League: Basle 3 Liverpool 3 Scorers: Murphy, Smicer, Owen Team: Dudek, Carragher (Diouf), Hyypiä, Traore, Murphy, Smicer, Hamann, Riise, Gerrard (Diao 46), Owen, Heskey (Baros). Liverpool go into the UEFA Cup U E F A cC h a m p i o n sK L e a g u e c S t a n d i n g s   P W D L F A GD Pts Posn Leaders Liverpool 6 2 2 2 12 8 +4 8 3rd Valencia (16)       9 November 2002 Premiership: Middlesbrough 1 Liverpool 0 Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Traore, Murphy (Baros 86), Diao, Hamann, Riise, Gerrard (Smicer 68), Heskey, Owen. 7 November 2002 Worthington Cup 3rd round: Liverpool 3 Southampton 1 Scorers: Berger, Diouf, Baros Team: Kirkland, Vignal, Babbel, Biscan, Otsemobor (Traore 70), Gerrard, Cheyrou, Smicer (Diao 76), Berger, Diouf, Baros (Heskey 64). 2 November 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 2 West Ham United 0 Scorer: Owen x2 Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Traore, Murphy, Diao, Hamann, Riise, Smicer (Gerrard 70), Heskey, Owen. 31 October 2002 UEFA Champions League: Liverpool 0 Valencia 1 Team: Dudek, Carragher (Cheyrou 81), Hyypiä, Traore, Murphy (Smicer 60), Diao, Hamann, Riise, Gerrard, Owen, Heskey (Baros 61). 26 October 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1 Scorers: Murphy, Owen (pen) Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Traore, Murphy, Diao, Hamann, Riise, Gerrard (Smicer 68), Diouf (Baros 58), Owen. 23 October 2002 UEFA Champions League: Spartak Moscow 1 Liverpool 3 Scorer: Owen x3 Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Traore, Murphy, Diao, Hamann, Riise, Baros (Diouf 71), Owen, Heskey (Vignal 56 (Biscan 77)). 19 October 2002 Premiership: Leeds United 0 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Diao Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Traore, Murphy, Diao, Hamann, Riise, Cheyrou, Baros (Owen 70), Diouf. 7 October 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0 Scorer: Owen Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Henchoz (Traore 40), Murphy (Diao 75), Hamann, Gerrard, Riise, Cheyrou (Baros 71), Heskey, Owen. 3 October 2002 UEFA Champions League: Liverpool 5 Spartak Moscow 0 Scorers: Heskey x2, Cheyrou, Hyypiä, Diao Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Henchoz (Traore 67), Cheyrou (Diouf 82), Murphy, Gerrard (Diao 76), Riise, Heskey, Hamann, Owen. 28 September 2002 Premiership: Manchester City 0 Liverpool 3 Scorer: Owen x3 Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Traore, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard (Diao 90), Riise, Baros (Diouf 59), Heskey, Owen. 26 September 2002 UEFA Champions League: Liverpool 1 Basle 1 Scorer: Baros Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Cheyrou, Murphy, Gerrard, Riise, Heskey (Diouf 70), Baros, Owen (Berger 79). 21 September 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 2 West Bromich Albion 0 Scorers: Baros, Riise Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Cheyrou (Diao 88), Riise, Baros (Heskey 75), Owen. 18 September 2002 UEFA Champions League: Valencia 2 Liverpool 0 Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Diao (Cheyrou 46), Traore, Murphy (Baros 76), Hamann (sent off 77), Gerrard, Riise, Heskey, Diouf (Owen 46). 15 September 2002 Premiership: Bolton Wanderers 2 Liverpool 3 Scorers: Baros x2, Heskey Team: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypiä, Diao, Traore, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Cheyrou (Riise 85), Heskey, Baros. 12 September 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 2 Birmingham City 2 Scorers: Murphy, Gerrard Team: Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz (Heskey 46), Hyypiä, Traore, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Riise (Diao 72), Owen, Diouf (Berger 79). 3 September 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 2 Newcastle United 2 Scorers: Hamann, Owen (pen) Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Traore, Xavier, Hamann, Murphy, Gerrard (Cheyrou 83), Smicer (Diouf 67), Owen, Heskey. 29 August 2002 Premiership: Blackburn Rovers 2 Liverpool 2 Scorers: Murphy, Riise Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Traore, Xavier, Hamann, Murphy, Gerrard, Diouf (Smicer 64), Owen (Heskey 64), Riise (Diao 87). 24 August 2002 Premiership: Liverpool 3 Southampton 0 Scorers: Diouf x2, Murphy (pen) Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Traore, Xavier, Hamann, Murphy, Gerrard (Cheyrou 84), Diouf (Smicer 81), Owen (Riise 72), Heskey. 18 August 2002 Premiership: Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Riise Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Traore, Riise, Xavier, Hamann, Murphy, Gerrard, Diouf (Carragher 90), Owen (Heskey 81). 13 August 2002 Friendly: Chester 1 Liverpool 0 Team: Kirkland, Carragher, Vignal, Warnock, Biscan, Babbel, Smicer, Diao, Baros, Berger, Cheyrou. Subs: Arphexad, Diomede, Welsh, Partridge, Mellor, Sjolund, Ostemobor. 11 August 2002 FA Community Shield: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 0 Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Traore (Cheyrou 88), Riise, Xavier (Babbel 78), Hamann (Murphy 67), Gerrard, Heskey (Baros 74), Diouf, Owen (Smicer 86). 4 August 2002 Real Madrid Centenary Matches: Liverpool 2 AC Milan 1 Liverpool finish third Scorers: Simic o.g., Baros. Team: Kirkland, Babbel, Henchoz, Hyypiä, Traore, Barmby, Gerrard, Biscan, Smicer, Heskey, Baros. Subs: Carragher, Hamann, Murphy, Diouf, Riise. 2 August 2002 Real Madrid Centenary Matches: Real Madrid 2 Liverpool 0 Team: Dudek, Hyypiä, Henchoz, Riise, Vignal, Xavier, Hamann, Murphy, Smicer, Heskey, Diouf. Subs: Berger, Cheyrou, Baros, Carragher, Biscan. 30 July 2002 Friendly: Liverpool 0 Lazio 1 Team: Dudek, Babbel, Hyypiä, Traore, Riise, Diomede, Cheyrou, Hamann, Smicer, Owen, Diouf. Subs: Henchoz, Murphy, Barmby, Vignal, Xavier, Baros, Berger, Mellor, Wright. 27 July 2002 Friendly: Wolfsburg 1 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Diouf Team: Dudek, Babbel, Henchoz, Traore, Riise, Barmby, Biscan, Berger, Diomede, Diouf, Owen. Subs: Kirkland, Vignal, Traore, Xavier, Heggem, Murphy, Hamann, Cheyrou, Diomede, Baros, Heskey, Mellor, Partridge, Wright. 19 July 2002 Friendly: Le Havre 0 Liverpool 1 Scorer: Baros Team: Dudek, Wright, Babbel, Traore, Vignal, Barmby, Diara, Gerrard, Diomede, Litmanen, Baros. Subs: Arphexad, Heggem, Henchoz, Riise, Murphy, Biscan, Cheyrou, Smicer, Xavier, Heskey, Diouf, Kirkland.

Goalscorers         Michael Owen 28   Emile Heskey 9   El-Hadji Diouf 6   Milan Baros 12   Neil Mellor 1   Steven Gerrard 7   Danny Murphy 12   John Arne Riise 6   Vladimir Smicer 1   Patrik Berger 1   Dietmar Hamann 2   Bruno Cheyrou 1   Salif Diao 2   Igor Biscan 0   Sami Hyypiä 5   Stephane Henchoz 0   Jamie Carragher 0   Abel Xavier 0   Gregory Vignal 0   Djimi Traore 0   Markus Babbel 0