Liverpool were uncommitted to winning the season .
Only after the season ended did the full extent of Leeds 's problems become clear ; they had more debt than the rest of the Premier League ( barring Fulham and Chelsea ) combined , and were in imminent danger of bankruptcy. While their runners-up finish the previous year had sparked hopes that Liverpool were finally becoming serious contenders again , and at the start of the season the title seemed to be heading to them after remaining unbeaten in their first 12 games which saw them 7 points ahead at one point , however a dramatic collapse which saw 2 win in 16 games made even a Champions League place out of sight , a revival which saw them win 7 out of 8 games seemed to put them back on track but a last day defeat to Chelsea saw them finish 5th .
2002ï¿½03 FA Premier League