The 2008–09 season is the 117th season in Liverpool F.C.'s existence, and is their 46th consecutive year in the top-flight, and covers the period from 2008-07-01 to 2009-06-30. Having finished 4th the previous season, Liverpool had qualified for the UEFA Champions League final qualifying stage.
Pre-season
Liverpool signed Philipp Degen from Borussia Dortmund on a Bosman and also Andrea Dossena from Udinese for £7m. Harry Kewell did not have his contract renewed and joined Galatasaray, a move which angered Leeds fans[1]. John Arne Riise was sold to AS Roma for a fee of £4 million which could rise depending on appearances and success. Peter Crouch left for Portsmouth for a fee of £11 million and goalkeeper Scott Carson was sold to West Bromwich Albion for an initial £3.75 million, which could rise substantially depending on his success. Carson was replaced by Brazilian Diego Cavalieri who joined from Palmeiras for a fee of £3.5 million. Danny Guthrie joined Newcastle United for £2.25 million. They also brought in young French striker David N'Gog from PSG for a reported £1.5 million fee, on the same day Spanish teenager Emmanuel Mendy arrived on a free from Murcia Deportivo. The club made their biggest summer coup with the signing of Irish striker Robbie Keane, for an initial £19m with add-ons. He arrived from Tottenham Hotspur and became Liverpool's second most expensive signing after Fernando Torres. Several young players have gone out on loan: Hobbs, Antwi, Roque, Hammill, Anderson and Threlfall. Le Tallec left for Le Mans and Idrizaj left for free. This means Rafael Benitez has spent a total reported to be around £32m, though he has received £22m in return from sales. As for backroom staff, Sammy Lee returns to the club after managing Bolton Wanderers for the first part of last season after Sam Allardyce joined Newcastle United.Former First team coach Alex Miller has left to manage in Japan.
Liverpool started their quest for the Champions League in a qualifier against Belgian champions, Standard Liege on August 13th. Liverpool were held to a goalless draw in Belgium with Jose Reina saving a penalty in the first half. The second leg was played at Anfield on August 27th, and the match looked to be heading into penalties with the score still locked at 0-0 in extra time. But Dirk Kuyt scored from a Ryan Babel cross in the 118th minute to put Liverpool through to the group stage of the Champions League
Liverpool got off to a winning start in the league opener at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland on August 16th, Fernando Torres scoring an 83rd minute goal in a 1-0 victory.
A week later Middlesbrough F.C. came to Anfield for the first home league match of the season. Middlesbrough scored first in the 70th minute. Liverpool equalised with a Middlesbrough own goal from a Carragher deflected shot on the 86th minute, and a 95th minute strike by Gerrard to make it 2-1.
After an international break, Liverpool returned to action by facing Premier League champions Manchester United at Anfield, with Liverpool coming from behind to win 2-1, Rafa Benitez's first ever league win against United.
On 27th September, Liverpool beat Everton FC 2-0 at Goodison Park in the first Merseyside derby of the season. Two goals from Torres in the 2nd half sealing the win against their neighbours.
On 1st October, Liverpool beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1 at Anfield, with Robbie Keane scoring his first goal for Liverpool and Steven Gerrard scoring his 100th goal in all competitions for Liverpool with a free kick.
On 5th October, Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-2 at the City of Manchester Stadium. After conceding two goals in the first half, Liverpool fought back to make it 2-2 thanks to a brace from Torres, his second in two successive league games. Dirk Kuyt then scored the winner in stoppage time.
After an international break, Liverpool returned to Premier League action against Wigan Athletic at Anfield on Saturday 18th October. After being 2-1 down at half-time Liverpool fought back to win 3-2, with Albert Riera scoring his first goal.
On 26th October, Liverpool defeated Chelsea F.C. at Stamford Bridge 1-0, ending Chelsea's 4 year, 86 game unbeaten league run at home. The goal was scored in the 10th minute by Xabi Alonso with a deflection off Jose Bosingwa.
On the 1st November, Liverpool suffered their first loss of the season losing to Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 away from home.
Robbie Keane scored his first league goals for the club during a game against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on November 8th. He also scored his first double for the team in the same game.
On 12 November, Liverpool were knocked out of the Carling Cup at round 4 by Tottenham Hotspur, losing 4-2 at White Hart Lane.
In December Liverpool secured qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Marseille at Anfield with Steven Gerrard scoring the only goal.
Team kit
The team kit for the 2008–09 season was produced by adidas and the shirt sponsor is Carlsberg. New red home kit debuted in the final home game of the 07-08 season. The new away kit is silver & grey checks and has red stripes, the third kit is turquoise.
Last updated: 18 December Source: Match reports in Match Results Only competitive matches = Number of bookings; = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card; = Number of sending offs by a direct red card.
Tom Hicks & George Gillett
Rafael Benítez
Steven Gerrard (8)
Philipp Degen
Borussia Dortmund
Andrea Dossena
Diego Cavalieri
David N'Gog
Robbie Keane
Péter Gulácsi
John Arne Riise
Harry Kewell
Galatasaray
Nikolay Mihaylov
FC Twente
Sebastián Leto
Olympiacos
Andriy Voronin
Wisła Kraków
Rangers
Standard Liège
Konrad Plautz
Claus Bo Larsen
Martin Hansson
Olegário Benquerença
Nikolai Golubev
FIN
EIR
ISR
MAR
SVK
Kashiwa Reysol
Tigres
