Opportunity Knocks for Liverpool FC, will Hicks and Gillett open the door?

Just missing out in the Champions League against Chelsea and consequently missing out on a possible two-leg semi-final against Barcelona that I'd have backed us to win.

A good season yes, but it was so close to being so much better.

Although they were beaten, United have set the standard in the Premiership over the last few seasons but we certainly have serious cause to be confident going forward.

If you look at the league tables over the last three seasons where United have finished as Champions there are a few interesting "facts" as Rafa might say.

United's defence has been consistent, goals conceded virtually the same in each season, yet their goals scored has dropped each year. Are their performance levels dropping or are the other teams getting stronger?

Likewise Chelsea, their performances in terms of goals scored, conceded and points earned is virtually the same in each of the three seasons. Remarkable consistency but these are the statistics of a team not improving - in spite of a succession of managers.

Arsenal show a similar pattern, better points total in season 07/08 but they dropped back again this season.

The only team showing consistent improvement year on year is Liverpool. Defence has remained strong with an average of just over 26 league goals conceded in each of the three seasons. Goals scored however, has gone up in each season. Points earned have also gone up season on season.

That is why this summer is so vital for us. Rafa needs to find the players to maintain this season on season improvement, if he does find them then the momentum is with Liverpool.

United will be smarting from their Champions League final defeat and will look to improve, as will Chelsea and Arsenal and all of their pockets are likely to be deeper than Rafa's.

It's also clear that the Premiership top four will continue to have a big say in the Champions League. It's the financial holy grail for football clubs as we know and recent reports suggest that the commercial and broadcast revenues available there are likely to increase again over the next few years.

Looking back at the Champions League finalists since our last win in 2005, each season there has been at least one of the Premiership's top four in the final. Last season both finalists were English and we were seconds away from that happening again this time. Only six clubs have been represented in the last five finals, all of the Premiership's top four plus Barcelona and AC Milan.

This is turning the Champions League final into something of a closed shop between England, Italy and Spain, with the Premiership providing most of the finalists but not most of the winners. That should please Platini.

We'd all bet right now that, depending on the draw, the Premiership's top four will once again provide the lion's share of Champions League semi-finalists next season. With AC Milan rebuilding at present maybe only current European Champions Barcelona will again provide the challenge? Jose Mourinho has already stated his current club and Italian champions Inter Milan, are not strong enough yet to win the Champions League.

With the ability to make the signings he wants in the transfer market this summer, Rafa Benitez may be able to position us to make a serious challenge in both the Premier League and the Champions League next season.

Hicks and Gillett are businessmen, they like statistics to back up their decisions.

Liverpool's on-field progression is clear and demonstrable. Invest again this summer and they may reap the benefits, both on and off the field, this time next year.

Be too cautious and an opportunity is lost. Who knows, they may be telling prospective buyers about the clubs' progression even now?

Opportunity is knocking for Liverpool. Will Rafa have the resources and the backing to open the door?