No trophies, but Liverpool have a lot of positive to take from last season

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON

A record-breaking 8-0 win over Besiktas in the Champions League and the dramatic Champions League win over Arsenal are bettered by Liverpool's success against Inter Milan.

On the back of an FA Cup defeat to Barnsley, the runaway Italian leaders were convincingly beaten at Anfield. The eventual Serie A champions had started as clear favourites but every Liverpool player stepped up to the challenge and repeated the winning feat in the second leg.

LOW SPOTS OF SEASON

The semi-final Champions League defeat to Chelsea after Liverpool had dominated the ties. They were holding a comfortable 1-0 lead at Anfield until John Arne Riise's fateful late own goal tipped the advantage back to Chelsea.

Barnsley in the FA Cup was another disappointment. Even allowing for some tinkering with the team, Liverpool should have enough quality in depth to win those kind of games.

PLAYER OF THE SEASON

FERNANDO TORRES - A fabulous first season in the Premier League. So much was expected of the young Spaniard, with the huge price tag hanging over him, but he has not only lived up to his billing but probably surpassed it.

He has all the qualities you would want in a striker - quick, good control, a tremendous shot with both feet and the kind of movement that makes him so difficult to mark.

Not only that but Torres showed he can cope with the physical side of the Premier League.

He scored 24 league goals to beat the record for a foreign player in his debut season previously held by Ruud van Nistlerooy at Manchester United, which is an exceptional return.

The bad news for defenders is that he can only get better.

Torres seemed to bring the best out of Steven Gerrard and their link-up play was highly profitable for Liverpool.

GOAL OF THE SEASON

Steve Gerrard provided an early contender in the very first game of the season when he curled in a late free-kick to beat Aston Villa. He couldn't have placed it any better.

However the goal Fernando Torres scored against Marseille in the Champions League win in France tops it. Torres showed good close control, great dribbling skills into the area and a cool finish. It showed that Liverpool had something special in their ranks.

GAME OF THE SEASON

Liverpool's win over Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League. After Theo Walcott's amazing run had helped Arsenal draw level at 2-2, putting Liverpool out on away goals, the home side showed great attitude and spirit to dramatically turn the tables.

WHAT NEXT?

Looks like there will be a number of departures from Anfield this summer, which makes it all the more important that they get quality players in.

They are still a little short of all-round quality to be able to challenge for the Premier League title.

A stronger support act for Torres up front will help match champions Manchester United, who have three world class strikers in Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. The arrivals need to be in the class of, for example, David Villa at Valencia.

If Jermaine Pennant is one of the departures, then Rafael Benitez will want to add a wide player while another top drawer midfielder, especially if Xabi Alonso is on the move, will also be a must.

Off the field, supporters will be hoping Liverpool can resolve the wrangling that has overshadowed the season.

If Liverpool want to mount a credible title challenge, they need everyone working together and the sooner the owners make decisions over the future of the club and whether they are going to sell up, the better.

The longer the uncertainty drags on, the harder it will be for Benitez to attract the players he wants and that will leave fans fretting over whether the manager will stay himself. Clubs like Barcelona will be keeping a close eye on developments.