Xabi Alonso has that Liverpool's dreams of landing the Premier League title were dashed on home soil.
The Reds' 19-year wait for a top-flight crown is set to drag on for at least another season after they fell narrowly short in their efforts to wrestle the trophy away from Manchester United this term.
Rafa Benitez's men can look towards seven draws at Anfield as a major factor behind their failure to take top spot, with Spanish midfielder Alonso of the opinion that those points surrendered in front of their own supporters could have made all the difference.
"We have drawn too many games at home. Considering the record we have had away from home, we have probably dropped too many points at Anfield and because of that they (United) are ahead of us," he told skysports.com.
"In the first half of the season we drew a few games that we probably shouldn't have and those games, if you want to win the league, you can't afford to draw them.
"Because of that we are now in this position. It could have been better but all teams can say 'If only we had done this different'."
Alonso admits it is imperative Liverpool now land some silverware next term, having gone three years without lifting a major honour, but believes they will learn from the tests they have faced this season.
"Even being close to the title, to not win anything with Liverpool, it is disappointing.
"We have to be critical of ourselves, knowing we have done some things right but we have also done some things wrong.
"It is very difficult nowadays to win trophies, but with the team we have got we should be challenging."
Liverpool's pursuit of honours next season could be contested by a number of emerging sides, with the likes of Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City all expected to be stronger in 2009/10.
Alonso remains unfazed, though, and believes greater competition will only serve to make English football all the more entertaining.
"They are closing the gap, and I think that is very good for the league to have more options and to not always have the same teams challenging for the top four," the 27-year-old said on the Reds' rivals.
"Maybe in the future there will be more options and that will be good for the league and for the fans overall. It will make things more exciting and that can only be positive."
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