Yes, we’re back to ‘ifs’. And Pretty big ‘ifs’ at that. I accept that the fact that they have not played together as much as everyone would like has been a factor in Liverpool not winning as many games as they should but would the equivalent problem be so damaging at Old Trafford?

It doesn’t always have to be Rooney and Ronaldo playing together, they have four genuine match-winning attackers to choose from, plus the likes of Giggs, Scholes and Nani to throw on.

Even Kiko Macheda came on to win them two games in the run-in. It’s strength in depth Liverpool just can’t live with and until they do I fear the wait may go on.

For me, it highlights the need to strengthen more than ever and the failure to secure some more quality back-up to the two main talismen in the summer could lead to more frustration for the fans as they look to end their agonising wait.

But at the start of the season most of them wanted to be involved in a title race up to the finish, to make progress in their attempts to close the gap on the top side in the country.

That has been achieved. And for that reason alone, there should be no regrets.

Mark Lawrenson was talking to NICK SMITH