"The last time we qualified for the Champions League was just prior to our last game, but we were sweating on it for much of the season," said Liverpool's Chief Executive.
"It was more comfortable in 2002, but in 2001 we also had to wait for the last game.
"Clearly there's been a huge improvement on last year in achieving qualification so early, but also more importantly by narrowing the gap to Chelsea.
"We've been 30 points adrift for the last two seasons, and although there are still three games to play, it's clear for everyone we're a lot closer now. Although third is secure, we've not finished going for second yet.
"It should also be noted how finishing in the top three has been far more significant this season due to Arsenal's run in the Champions League.
"It would have been the ultimate irony if we'd finished fourth, but Arsenal came fifth and won the Champions League and took our place, given what happened last season.
"Our league performance has been a mark of real progress. We will only be happy when we start winning league titles, and there is still some way to go. But when we appointed Rafa we knew it would take time.
"This has been a year of solid progresss and it's been very gratifying for all of us. However, we won't be sitting back. We're all working as hard as possible to make it even better.
"We always felt this season would be better, and now the target is to improve even more. Rafa learned a lot from his first season in England, and that was shown in the players we brought in. There have been been two tremendous league runs, and if anything the second has been most impressive.
"We suffered a demoralising week when we lost away to Arsenal and in the Champions League against Benfica, but the response since then has been tremendous.
"The players deserve a lot of credit because this has been a particularly punishing schedule.
"I'm sure we will improve again next season. We have shown we are capable of putting together consistent league runs and our defensive performances have been outstanding, so there's every reason to believe we're going to get even better.
"Players such as Momo Sissoko and Pepe Reina have settled immediately, when often it can take a year to get used to English football. We also have high hopes for Daniel Agger, Gabriel Paletta and Mark Gonzalez."