Dominic Matteo knows as well as anyone that much can change in a year where football is concerned.
In his case, a mere 12 months proved the difference between lining up as a regular in Liverpool's back four and running out for Leeds United against Valencia in the 2001 Champions League semi-finals.
Fast-forward a decade, and Liverpool are undergoing big changes of their own.
Only a year ago Matteo's former employers were struggling in the basement of the Premier League, having taken just six points from their opening seven games under Roy Hodgson.
Now the Reds are enjoying a welcome revival - and Matteo feels one person in particular deserves a large chunk of the credit.
There is no denying that Kenny Dalglish, in his second spell at the helm on Merseyside and this time handily backed by the cash of new owners Fenway Sports Group, has been key in turning things around.
Since returning to the club where he spent the majority of his playing days in January, Dalglish has splashed out more than £100million on his red revolution, keeping faith in British talent with acquisitions such as Charlie Adam, Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing.
Matteo could be biased - after all it was Dalglish who was in charge on Merseyside when the ex-defender was first scouted and planted in Liverpool's School of Excellence in his youth.
But the 37-year-old feels his fellow Scot is making all the right moves at Anfield, especially where the purchasing of British players is concerned.
"Kenny Dalglish is a massive factor for people going there," Matteo told skysports.com.
"One thing Kenny brings to people is a smile. He makes sure the dressing room is a happy dressing room.
"He's brought some British lads in. I know he had to pay a lot of money, because that's what you have to do for British players now, but he's brought them in."
Matteo feels Dalglish's success so far also comes down to his willingness to take advantage of the youth and reserve players at his disposal instead of looking for a quick fix from abroad.
The manager has wasted no time in blooding up-and-coming youngsters such as Martin Kelly and Danny Wilson, as well as handing a debut to promising teenage right-back John Flanagan last season.
After coming through the youth ranks at Liverpool brushing shoulders with the likes of Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard, Matteo is well aware that a superstar can be uncovered without looking further than your own doorstep.
"One thing Kenny does do is he gives young lads a chance," he added. "It's great to see in the league. It's good to see young lads coming through the ranks and breaking into teams.
"Football moved away from that for a bit. People were being bought from places in Europe when the kids in the reserves were good enough to step forward."
While completely behind Dalglish's philosophy of bringing in homegrown players, Matteo has been impressed with the manager's occasional forays into the foreign market.
The Scot highlighted in particular the signing of Uruguay hitman Luis Suarez, who he feels is beginning to develop what promises to be a formidable partnership with strike partner Carroll.
"Suarez brings a touch of class," he said. "Andy Carroll is a big handful. I think he'll improve as a player.
"I think that is one thing that will definitely get better. I think they'll be a good partnership, but it will take time."
The Suarez/Carroll partnership is not the only aspect of the team that remains in development, with the club still settling following a whirlwind few months of managerial change, new owners and an influx of transfers.
While Matteo appreciates the Reds are still a side in transition, he sees no reason why Dalglish cannot lead them back to club football's highest stage this season.
"Liverpool have got a lot of good players at the club. I'd like to think they'll finish in the top four," he said.
"They've got a good chance. But it's very competitive, there are a lot of good teams in the Premier League, and to get into the top four is an achievement in itself.
"It's like winning something really because Champions League football is where everyone wants to play."
