Recently by Tommy Smith

MY big wish for Liverpool when the hunt for honours begins next August is simple: Be more positive.

In trying to assess this season for the club, I have come up with as many negatives as positives.

I'm not trying to be churlish. But there is no getting away from the fact that the season was trophy-less, and therefore a big disappointment.

On the one hand, you have Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard; on the other, several players who under-achieved.

THE ownership battle, the need to improve the squad, the importance of a trophy next season - it's going to be a more interesting summer than normal at Anfield.

But, inevitably, the strengthening of the team in a bid to match the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea and mount a serious title challenge will be Rafa Benitez's number one priority.

The gap may have closed a little between the Reds and top spot, compared to other seasons, but the difference once again has been the results against their big rivals.

I went to see the game at Old Trafford and, at best, you could describe Liverpool's performance as "awful". Results must improve next season against United, Chelsea and Arsenal if the long-awaited title challenge is to materialise.

IT'S a clear cut situation for me tonight - Liverpool need to strike quickly and unsettle Chelsea.

There is no doubt the effect an early goal for the Reds will have on tonight's Champions League semi-final second leg.

For most of the night at Anfield you got the impression that the Londoners would have settled for a 1-0 defeat - until they were handed a late gift.

It forces the Reds into an attacking mode tonight - but if they could score twice, and they have the players capable of doing so - then the tie is turned upside down.

That, I hope, will be Rafa Benitez's philosophy.

LIVERPOOL don't have to climb a mountain to succeed in the second leg at Stamford Bridge, but they will need to scale a few more heights than they managed last night.

Yes, it was a sucker punch. Yes, the Reds were unlucky given the good chances they created. But the game did not live up to the passionate, exciting affair we had all anticipated.

The Reds deserved to win but failed to dictate and dominate after going ahead, leaving the door open for an unfortunate late twist of fate.

There was always the danger that Chelsea might score, which is why I thought the second half was so disappointing. I was surprised that with another 45 minutes to add to our lead - and make the Londoners' hopes slim in the return - it just didn't happen.

FOR the sake of Liverpool Football Club the in-fighting that has transformed their off-field problems into a PR disaster has to stop.

The fall-out between the co-owners has hit the club hard, and there has been scant regard for the good name of Liverpool FC in the blur of publicity.

Almost every day there's a new angle to the story - and the club's current plight looks likely to get worse before it gets better.

Tom Hicks, in particular, and George Gillett have not just been washing their dirty linen in public.

They have been dragging it through the streets, too, and others have got involved in what is becoming a free for all.