Statistically speaking...

Last updated : 19 January 2004 By Gary Purvis
Since 2000 Liverpool have got stronger during the second half of the season.

Last season, Gerard Houllier's men won seven of their last 10 Premiership games, while a year earlier they collected 37 points in the first half of the season but 43 in the second. Unfortunately, Arsenal's 51 from their second 19 games pipped them to the title.

During the treble season of 2000/01, the Reds won 33 points in the first 19 games, and 36 in the second - one more than Arsenal and one less than Manchester United. But don't forget we played a maximum number of games in total that season and won three cups.

"We've finished strongly every season," said Gerard Houllier. "I think first and foremost this is because of the fitness of the team.

"Sometimes it takes a while for everything to gel together. The longer a season goes the better the tactical setup starts working."