Liverpool winning the Premier League would've been good for the game

Steven Gerrard lifting the Premier League trophy would have been great for the Premier League

Manchester City lifted the Premier League trophy last season but one of our Leeds team firmly believe that Liverpool winning would've been good for the game...

With pre-season managerial upheaval at many of their top-of the table rivals, Liverpool began 2013/14 in a more stable position than the majority of other realistic title hopefuls. Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea had all experienced a change at the top over the summer. 

With only Arsenal being able to boast any consistency in the dugout, this was surely Liverpool's year to make a real push for top spot. 

As expected, Brendan Rodgers' side were able to steal a march on their rivals and, with only three games remaining, they were five points clear at the top of the table with the Premier League title within their grasp. 

Unfortunately for Reds fans, and English football more generally, they were not able to hold that lead and the prospect of a new name appearing on the Premier League trophy now seems further away than ever before. 

Having just seen Liverpool miss out on their first title in 24 years by only two points it may seem odd to write them out of next year's title race so early but last season's circumstances are unlikely ever to repeat themselves again. 

In addition to Liverpool's off-the-field stability they were also able to make consistent on-the-field selections for much of the season. Exiting both the League Cup and FA Cup early, as well as not having to worry about European football, reduced the strain on Rodgers' squad and allowed him the luxury of not having to rotate. It also reduced the club's injury toll. 

Having qualified for next season's Champions League, and with an eye on improved runs in both cup competitions, Liverpool could be forced to play many more games next season, which will sternly test their strength in depth. 

2013/14 also saw a number of Liverpool's first team enjoying magical seasons that they would be extremely hard pressed to repeat. 

Two of their standout performers last year were Luis Suarez, who missed the start of the campaign due to suspension and was desperate to prove a point to the Liverpool fans after hinting at an exit the previous summer, and Steven Gerrard who, at nearly 34, surely cannot be relied upon to continue providing the same level of work-rate, accuracy and consistency for much longer. 

Add to these two Daniel Sturridge, who scored 24 goals in his first full season with the club after previously failing to impress at Manchester City and Chelsea, and Jordan Henderson, who was outstanding in midfield having previously been told by Rodgers that he was not in his plans, and the thought of another Liverpool title challenge in 2014/15 becomes even more implausible. 

To say that it is difficult to see Liverpool winning the league next season is not to say, however, that it wouldn't be fantastic for the English game if they did. 

Throughout 2013/14 the Reds played an outstanding attacking brand of football, scoring 101 goals, the highest number ever scored by a Premier League runner-up, and showing what can be achieved if a club sticks with their manager (even after finishing seventh the season before). 

In World Cup year, the breadth of young, exciting English talent at Anfield was great to see, with Raheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan cementing their places in the first team and Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge enhancing their reputations.

With money and foreign superstars having so much of a part to play in deciding the destiny of silverware in England today, Liverpool's title push was hugely refreshing. 

With a comparatively inexpensive squad littered with English talent, the Reds ensured that Manchester City were made to fight until the end of the season for the title. Whilst a repeat of Liverpool's Premier League challenge may be difficult to envisage next season, it is hard to disagree that an Anfield title win would be a boost for the English game as a whole.