What are the consequences of the 2007 CL final loss for LFC?

It is not necessary to gloss over the 2005 final again. Suffice to mention that the 2007 Final was completely dominated by Liverpool, but a very unlucky deflection from a free kick in the dying seconds of the first half meant that Liverpool lost control and had to chase the game from then on.

Liverpool did have two very good opportunities to score; once in the first half when the tireless Pennant saw his save miraculously saved by Dida, and the second when Gerrard saw his saved in very similar conditions. Had Gerrard scored, the game would have been totally different at 1-1.

My guess is that had Liverpool gone on to lift the trophy (at the same time crowning Benitez as the uncontested master tactician in Europe), this would have only papered the cracks which the LFC faithfuls have noticed by watching the team week-in week-out.

Liverpool have suffered because of the absence of a goal poacher in its ranks since the departure of Owen. While many will argue that the typical Benitez team does not feature a 'fox in a box' striker, I would retort that the typical Benitez team relies on the contribution of its midfield on goals scored. This sadly has not happened for Liverpool this year.

So the defeat last Wednesday clearly sends the message home (and Senor Benitez has not been quiet about it). Liverpool need someone, if not a few of its midfielders, to finish. We need a quality finisher - someone who knows how to bulge the onion bag, someone who is at the right place at the right time. With that one elusive finisher who will shoulder some of the responsibilities that are weighing down Kuyt, Gerrard and Crouch, I think the glory days could well be back.