John Henry’s dilemma.

John Henry’s dilemma.

Warning: The following is not an attempt at heresy, merely a cautious thought.

With Roy Hodgson seemingly caught between a rock and a hard place, a huge decision rests on the shoulders of chairman John Henry and his cohort Tom Werner.

Roy Hodgson, despite coming here with the best of intentions and a decent if unspectacular record over his many years, has found himself downstream without a paddle.

When NESV took over Liverpool FC, they preached about the long term goal and how they want to do things in the right way. But the amount of pressure that is building on Hodgson, is now building on NESV, and I feel like there’s something not right about that.

I would be disappointed if NESV bowed to the fans wishes so easily, fans are fickle, and one thing a chairman cannot be is fickle.

A well known website recently posted an open letter to Henry with what was effectively an ultimatum; sack Roy Hodgson or lose the respect of the fans. This kind of thing I find out of order, there is no way someone in the position that Henry is in should give credence to ultimatums and blackmail.

Those in charge are clearly astute businessmen, and Liverpool FC, whether we like it or not, is a business. There are countless factors to consider with replacing Hodgson. Things ranging from the new manager, to the pay out, to the effect on the players and to the image the club gives out.

One problem which might occur, is the appointment of someone who may become too powerful. The man who springs to mind is obvious; Kenny Dalglish. The child inside me pines for the return of the king, the atmosphere and energy he would bring back for those initial games would be worth every penny. The concern however, and maybe I’m being a bit too cautious, is what if Kenny doesn’t work out?

Say, for instance, Kenny gets us playing half decent football but by the summer we still languish in 5th or 6th. What contacts does Dalglish have in the modern game? Could he work with Comolli? Will he be able to establish a modern sports science approach which is essential these days? Would the fans be able to see common sense if it wasn’t working out? However, most importantly, if a relationship broke down with the board, the fans would inevitably come down on Kenny’s side. The board must see the potential for trouble here.

We know that Dalglish is a gentleman, he’s proved it time and again, but put your business minds on. Would you hire someone with the potential to have more sway and power than yourself?

I would hope that, if Dalglish does end up with the reigns, that it works out. I would like nothing more than a legend to come back and restore the club, it’s fairy-tale stuff. But maybe, as a Liverpool fan, we’ve been subjected to too many broken promises.

For this reason, I think the the best the board may do with Dalglish, (if Hodgson was to go), would be to give him a contract only to the end of the season. There would have to be some kind of gentlemans agreement that Dalglish would go quietly and by mutual consent.

It seems silly to even be considering this kind of thing now, but I want a long term future, not a short term answer. If Liverpool get beat by Bolton, Hodgson will surely be sacked. But if he stumbles on to the summer, I won’t be too upset.

The ultimatums to the board must stop though, we need a strong board who prove they have faith and an eye for change. Besides Dalglish, there are no managers available at this time of year. God forbid we end up with Allardyce or O’Neill, although O’Neill would no doubt have us a bit more motivated than Mr Roy.

The biggest decision comes in the summer. Regardless of what happens from now til then. We aren’t going to finish 4th, forget about it. We probably won’t finish 4th for a couple of years, but Henry as a tough decision to make in the next couple of days.

It’s a fine line between a weak chairman and one who answers the fans. It was a strong board who stuck by Ferguson in the 80’s despite fan calls for a sacking, we need to be prepared to accept that Dalglish might not get the job, and if he doesn’t, then the summer will be the time for change.

For now, we may have to just grin and bare it. A. A. Milne said it clearly for us all: “The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking.”

Maybe we need the board to do what they alone think is best for the long term, for Liverpool FC in the next 25 years, not the rest of the season.

Rafa's Rejects and the joy of the mute button.

Liverpool are currently in what we’d call a transitional phase, off the field anyway. On the field, we’re what some may call ‘stuck in the mud’.

The recent abject showing against Wolves made two things abundantly clear to me.
Andy Gray and Alan Parry are so unbearably buffoonish that I watched the majority of the game on Sky with the mute button on.
Roy Hodgson does not have the ability to manage Liverpool.
What we have at Liverpool is a swinging axe, and Hodgson’s head is edging nearer and nearer.

Firstly, the failure by Statler and Waldorf in the Sky gantry to call into question even one of their mate Hodgson’s tactical or team choices, and instead to simply act baffled while the crowd chanted for Dalglish was criminal, for so called experts.

When the crowd reacted ironically to Konchesky’s substitution, they failed to grasp two important points, that the Konchesky family has had a bit too much to say in public and that he is probably the worst left back the club have had for decades. Even Andreas Dossena could lash in a good cross (and score some memorable goals).
My only salvation was to reach for the mute button and reject the bile being spouted from the TV.

The loyalty by Sky and the london press in general to their mate manifested itself even more so when Parry felt the need to give his two pence on Rafa Benitez tenure. Mockingly inferring fans must be crazed to have him back, oh what some would give to have the goatee’d maestro at the helm.

The second point, which will no doubt be much discussed, is the ability of the incumbent manager, Roy Hodgson.
To put it bluntly he lacks a few qualities to be a success at the top; the ability to adapt during a game, the ability to motivate world class stars, and the personality to create an atmosphere within the club of superiority.

I have previously defended Roy (mildly), and suggested we may as well give him the season, and I may think differently in the morning, but I can’t bear this suffering much more.
I am unsure about the appointment of Dalglish, would it be silly to suggest if we appoint him, fans will find it too difficult to let go. Especially if he divides opinion with an indifferent tenure, although, I would be curious.
The solutions aren’t obvious, and in my previous posts I’ve highlighted candidates such as Flores, Deschamps and Coyle.

I think blaming Benitez for the mess we’re in now is a classic case of passing the buck. Rafa’s ‘rejects’ aren’t that bad, it’s a team full of internationals and youth promise. All we missed at the end of 2009 was a game controller, someone to move the ball quickly from side to side and show a bit of ingenuity. Aquilani would be the obvious choice, considering he’s already our player, but Roy sees it differently.
The tactics used: Meireles, Kuyt, Gerrard and Lucas in a mish-mash formation behind a lazy Torres and an inexperienced Ngog is just not good enough in the Premiership.
It’s amateurish to send even a seasoned pro out there with seemingly no game plan and just hope your players can do better than the other guys.

Torres looks like he doesn’t want to be there, and I think hooking him off on 60 minutes would’ve sent a clear message to everyone that laziness won’t be tolerated.
Despite the bafflement by Gray and Parry at the boos for Ngog’s substitution, the lad played considerably better than Torres and I think those around Anfield who aren’t acquainted with Hodgson could see that. He showed some good control, movement and touches, without being greedy. It’s a shame it never paid off for him, but when the whole team are dragging their feet, you can’t rely on someone like Ngog to ‘lead by example’, it would be unfair to do so.

While Hodgson might be content to try and spin comments such as claiming various players aren’t his, some players even being Purslow’s (what’s that all about?), he should consider a change.

He’s insisted during his time here that his methods haven’t changed in 30 years and have always stood in good stead, maybe now is the time look in the mirror.
The players don’t look happy, his signings haven’t won over anyone, every time he gives an interview you start to grimace and above all, the football being played is woeful.

Soto being thrown up front as a last gasp attempt with Lucas filling in at centre back? Awful, simply awful, that kind of tactical ‘knowhow’ reminds me of Mourinho turning to Huth to save his blushes every time Rafa had him in checkmate. Embarrassing.
To finish my rant, I can only say that I expect nothing from this season. Possibly a Euro place, but I think the biggest job here is the next managerial appointment.

From what I’ve seen and read, the only ones in support of Hodgson getting more than a year are those in the TV studios, because after all, he’s such a nice guy!

I wouldn’t trust him to spend money in January, so instead of writing a few cheques for players Mr Henry, why not save some money and send Roy his p45.
Here’s hoping.

Liverpool FC: The king and kingmaker.

The january transfer window is fast approaching, and many fans will read a lot into the owners spending.

Will they back Roy? If they do, does that mean we’re in it for the long haul?
The majority of reds are indifferent to Hodgson and his methods. His nice guy attitude in front of the cameras doesn’t sit too comfortably with those of us who want a manager to ruffle some feathers.

The tactics employed, are unflattering to say the least, derisory football and an obsession with rigidity isn’t winning over anybody.
One defense for bad football tends to be ‘well at least it’s effective’. In this case however, it’s both bad and ineffective. Sam Allardyce would be ashamed of us! And that says it all.
I have stated before, that I would give Hodgson the full season, because deep down, I just don’t care how we do this season as long as the future is looking bright.

A scorched Earth approach can bring new shoots to bear, and I think with a new ownership and a new direction, the club needs to outline certain long term fundamentals.
Football isn’t going anywhere, so one revolution after another won’t achieve much, we need a blank slate, and time to evolve.

Whether Hodgson is capable enough to wipe the slate clean and start again is one question, whether he has the ability to develop us into a force that sticks to an entertaining mandate is one I’m almost sure will not happen.

I admit to knowing little about our new Director of Football Strategy, mostly due to me not paying attention to him before he came here.
(If anyone has any relevant information on Damien Comolli, share it!)
It seems that the Frenchman could have some considerable influence at the club, and although I’m not an advocate of suits running things on the pitch, I’m willing to give him time.

As I mentioned before, a long term vision is important, and if he has it, as well as the suspected big influence, he could well be a kingmaker at the club.
If, and I guess if is the buzzword, we were to get a new manager in the summer, I wouldn’t expect a big name.

A few names who I wouldn’t mind being banded about are Flores, Coyle and Deschamps. Coyle may seem a strange shout to some, but I think his ability to over-achieve with a good brand of football and an intelligent, insightful personality mean he is a different type of over-achiever than Roy. We might see a few class goals for the reserves too.

Hodgson’s achievements were through a tough shell and a ‘blue collar mentality’. Coyle on the other hand seems to encourage creativity, although, nobody has a crystal ball and whoever was to come in would have to have the fans onside quickly.

Flores and Deschamps are both in my eyes, similar coaches. They employ a technical approach and both work alongside (or under, if you prefer) football directors. It would not surprise me if the club started to take on a French feel over the next couple of years.

Although, Deschamps has been around the game almost 10 years now, he is still relatively young and has managed to topple Lyon from their perch.

Quique Sanches Flores is a hard one to sell, he’s more personality than coach, although he clearly has ability. His antics against Espanyol two weeks ago were, although in the wrong, good to see. He isn’t afraid to get involved and I think his success in the Europa cup last year with some big name players means he knows how to handle them

Henry and the rest of NESV speak well, and they understand diatribe when they see it. However, people understand that Roy Hodgson isn’t their man and unless success is quick, new owners don’t tend to stick with the in place manager.

It’s gotten to the point now that, when watching Liverpool play, I find myself bored of being frustrated. A deep back-line and no pressure on the opposition in their own half could give me restless nights and calls echoing in my head of ‘attack attack attack’. It’s hard to even be philosophical about it, Roy may be sure in his ability, but not many others are, despite his embarrassing claims of good form. Besides beating Chelsea, Liverpool have done the bare minimum and less, throughout the season.

If we’re to start a fresh, there’s no time like the present. As stated, I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking ‘I wouldn’t mind Roy having the season’, but I think that’s only because deep down, I’m hoping he’s not here come June.

By Chris Severs

More of the same please Roy.

When a man is digging his way through the Earth, then he will eventually fall out the other side.
This is what I told myself after Liverpool’s most recent abhorrent performance. Sure, it’s simplistic, but the meaning is clear.
Liverpool are on a hiding to nothing this season, after last season’s nightmare, everything was up in the air. To my dismay, Rafa went first and not the board.
Despite the potentially good work Chris Purslow did in removing the Americans (eventually), he hired Roy Hodgson.

Now, I like Roy, many people do. He seems like a ‘nice’ guy, which is probably a label he detests, however, his tameness in his methods is justification for the tag.
The Rafa years, aka ‘The Champions League Years’ if you wish, seem like a golden age at the moment. Liverpool may have whimpered on occasion, but I had always thought that when the chips were down, we had teeth.
Now we’re just all gummy and frail, a sad state of affairs.If euthanasia were legal in this country, I’d have taken us to the clinic a long time a go.

The next decision for the board, we all know, will be the managers job. Roy isn’t their guy, in fact, he’s know ones guy except for Purslow’s and Hicks, and what relevance do they have any more?
As ever with Liverpool, it’s all about the next step, and after a fresh start off the pitch, it will inevitably a fresh start on it that’s needed.
NESV appear to be clever people, they want to win the fans over just as much as Roy does. I think now is the time were the fans will have the most influence. The board will be keen to get a thumbs up from the faithful, keen to know that when they start spending more time back in America, that things in ol’ Blighty are going well.
They must know that the fans are not in favour of Hodgson, most people don’t detest him, they just don’t want him.
Sure Roy, go off and do well somewhere else, we really wish you the best, but your time here is ticking.

Chanting Dalglish’s name, may have been disrespectful to Mr. Hodgson, but some would argue that his team were disrespectful to the fans in the game against Stoke.
The players, we know, are mostly quality players. Okay, there’s no Mascherano or Aquilani or Insua, but Hodgson stepped into a team with World Cup winners and Champions League winners and just generally, a team of winners.
The quality is there, but he’s just not inspiring them. The war of words Rafa was so fond of, while ridiculed by some, often stoked the players.
They’d go out on to the pitch determined to shove someones comment back down their throat.
In time more and more people will realise we were punching dramatically above our weight, but I looked forward to the next game.
This season, I feel like I’m going to some unwanted school disco. Oh how awkward and cringe-worthy it inevitably is going to be.
If the league wasn’t so competitive this year, with these kind of performances we’d be cut adrift in the bottom half. Luckily we’re still in touching distance of Europe.

However, this is the point of my babble:
Do we need Europe this year?
In the long run, I’m quite happy to allow Roy to battle on to the end of the season. Because if he does, then we’re bound to finish maybe 8th or 7th again? Then NESV get all summer to make the right choice.
The right manager may already be at a club, I’m looking at you Quique, and be unwilling to move until the summer.
That’s part of the reason why I think NESV are reluctant to say ‘we’ll spend in January’. They want to wait and see. While it pains me to wait and see, I think in the grand scheme of things, sticking with Hodgson will be acceptable, until the end of the season. Let him dig his own way to the bottom of the pit, then just let him fall out the other side.

To those who shout for Dalglish, I think appointing the King is dangerous territory. I feel almost foolish whenever I get all excited about the prospect of having him in the dug out, I feel... almost like a Newcastle fan... anyway, the draw backs of having Kenny back.
Say we get him to the end of the season and we finish a respectable 5th, then were do we go? Does he get the job full time? What if it doesn’t work out? Such is our affection for the man that it could be heart breaking to see him sacked the next season. Because, lets be real here, he’s been out of the game for a decade. That’s a huge disadvantage.
There’s more to it than ‘knowing the players’, it’s about your contacts and your philosophies, your training methods and what people you have around you.
After 10 years doing the after dinner circuit and meeting and greeting various suits, it might be too much for him to step back onto the field and make things work.
He’s like a first love that nostalgia helps you to always remember fondly, you want it back but you know deep down that you shouldn’t.

Forget consolidation, Liverpool need to innovate.
We need a manager with an eye to the future, who’s fresh and could offer us 10 years and build a dynasty.
I don’t care if he’s foreign, English, or a dog. If he’s got the skills, the ambition, and the methods, then please let’s snap him up.
If it takes to the summer to get our guy, then so be it. But quick fixes are not what we need now.

Liverpool FC. Into the deep.

After a brief International break in which Liverpool’s players did well (sorry, but not you Pepé) we’re instantly back to the grind of league football. This brings with it the every day stresses and arguments that it always does. Did Hodgson get his tactics right? Why did he play Lucas? Why on Earth did he take Torres off at 70 minutes! All stuff we’ve heard before.

The most depressing thing for me in the past week however, was Hodgson’s admission of the dire straits in the board room. I hate to go down this route once more because everybody’s heard it before in countless blogs, but we were lied too this summer and the evidence of Liverpool’s downscaling is there for all to see.

A stat circulated last week that in the last 3 years Liverpool made a £50m profit from recouped transfers. £110m in players leaving and £60m on new recruits, those numbers should be seen as the chalk on the board, in plain sight.

The financial figures also make it even more miraculous as to how we mounted such a title challenge in the 08/09 season. Unfortunately they bring a stark realism to our finish last year. We are, until further (banking notice) a club in decline.

For the season at least, we have maintained a competitive squad. It seems that a fair bit of begging and false promises were spun to Torres and Gerrard in the summer to ensure they were on board. Would it be morally right to praise the gall of Chris Purslow in convincing the two to stay over the summer? Or was he actually believing what he was spouting to us and them?

The next key date in our controversial recent history will be the refinancing deadline. RBS seem to hold some leverage over the Yanks but who knows what deals are brokered behind closed doors. I would be both foolish and out of my depth to comment on such matters. When it comes to Liverpool FC, the number one gossip club in Britain, conjecture achieves only disappointment.

On the pitch, our squad seems to be reinforced with grit. Poulsen and Meireles, between them would make a decent midfield for any team, but in comparison to the midfield of last years top 4 we may come up slightly lacking. The fact Arsenal held on to Fabregas this year is only of detriment to everyone else in the league.

Joe Cole arrived to much fanfare but his long term productivity to the team is still in doubt. In all his years in the premiership he’s never been considered among the top awards, making Gerrard’s earlier claim of him being favourite for the Player of the Year award seem a little ambitious. Although, I would happily be proved wrong on this case. I just wonder how well Cole will fit with Torres, with all the evidence hinting that Hodgson promised Cole that ‘role in the hole’.

A week away lies Manchester Utd, this will be a true test of Hodgson’s dreadful away record. I hope that Liverpool fans can see that despite the signing of Cole, we’re looking at a team designed and drilled to stop other teams. We were always tough, but if Benitez and Houllier are left and right wing, Hodgson definitely walks the line towards Houllier’s style of play.

Our main weapon in recent times was our possession. Once Xabi left, that began to drop. I don’t believe Mascherano will be missed as much as some may think, his job was a simple one and although he was very good at it, we should be a team that dominates possession rather than having to sit back and break it up.

Ideally I would be curious to see Meireles and Gerrard link up, in the same way Gerrard and Barry played together for England, but I think Roy will be concerned about the midfield being vacated.

So what says you Liverpool fan? What concerns you most about this season? And please don’t tell me Lucas and Ngog. Both have been nothing but committed to Liverpool since they arrived and never hid, for that I commend them in the face of undeserved criticism.

Although we may be a club in decline presently, we must still have no limits to our ambition. A wise man once said “To be pleased with ones limits is a wretched state”, nothing is truer to a Liverpool fans heart.

Adios,

Chris

The Hodgson bubble bursts early, but it could be a good thing.

On Tuesday night I watched on with many others as a poor Liverpool team got brushed aside by a poor Man City team. Of course, levels won’t be at their required rate just yet but what’s certain is Man City will improve with each passing week, where Liverpool go, that’s a question for Roy Hodgson.

Before the match, Andy Gray and Richard Keys did their best Statler and Waldorf impressions by mocking Rafa Benitez before a ball had been kicked. Thinly veiled swipes at his 4-5-1 tactics and marking philosophies were cringeworthy enough. It occurs to me that it didn’t occur to them that should Joe Cole have been fit, Liverpool would’ve lined up 4-5-1. Nevermind the fact that City scored from a corner, and when Andy Gray was asked why man marking went wrong, he simply replied ‘well it happens’. Thanks Andy, your insight was outstanding, shit does indeed happen no matter what marking system you play.

The game itself was no spectacle from a reds point of view and I won’t dwell too long, I don’t want to provoke some unwanted shudders while you read. Hodgson quite simply got his tactics all wrong, his record of 4 away league wins in 2 seasons could be understood with his line up. Starting a crunch game away with 4 strikers on the pitch is only going to lead to trouble.

The prerogative for any team like us is to build on small things. A series of early defeats could be very damaging come the usual winter fixture pile up. While the loss to City was unsurprising for most, enjoyable for some and deflating for the rest, again the most worrying for me was the tactics. Lucas, while a player I like and admire, cannot hold the midfield against Barry, Milner and Toure.

Back in Muppets studio, Gray found the vocabulary to praise Hodgson for his bravery in playing 4-4-2, again reminding us that a manager like Rafa would not have done this. Well, our outnumbered midfield and wingless strikers were food and drink for a combative midfield trio in sky blue. Gerrard played in his ‘best position’ though, which was well worth the defeat.

It seems that a spot of contradiction was being served at Sky Towers, their dynamic duo in the same breath called for Gerrard to play central midfield, while drooling over the fact Gerrard and Torres could potentially be back among the goals together. Hmm, I’m sure when Gerrard and Torres were firing on all cylinders, Stevie wasn’t playing central midfield. Forget that though, this is the wonderful world of media! In HD, Yeah!

The repercussions from this defeat are not that great, in a way, I was relieved we got a reality check early on. The goal posts can be shifted so to speak, and as a club we could do a good job out of the ‘lime light’ of the fight for 1st with the new ‘Big 3’.

With Mascherano proving to be as unprofessional as he is fiery on the pitch, we must concentrate on getting our house in order off the pitch before things improve on it. On this topic, I don’t understand why the player was allowed back to training at all. His behavior has been despicable and if he truly did refuse to play, breaking his contractual obligation in the process, Liverpool should be free to dock him wages for his remaining time at the club.

The change in manager has proved to us only, thus far, that the more things change the more they stay the same. Let’s hope this ‘secret but not so secret’ bid comes through and we can attain some certainty in our future.

Our fixture list has not been kind, a win against West Brom and then Birmingham is important if we are to have any confidence enough to go to Old Trafford and then potentially on to the rest of the season.

So, the question falls to ‘Mr Roy’. Everybody expects us to take it to the likes of West Brom, especially at Anfield. The match should be a given, but will Hodgson be able to bring the big away results we need to reach the tables summit? I hope so, and I don’t doubt that he will learn fast.

At the City game the away fans were chanting Rafa’s name, I can’t see this as helpful to Hodgson’s cause (although I did raise a smile in acknowledgment), but it does raise the question, are these the same idiots who were calling for his name last year? Who knows, but Hodgson will need our full support from here on in, not to mention a lot of patience.

Liverpool FC - The building blocks that could lead to a title?

With the season bearing down on us like some starved beast ready to gobble up all our attention, it’s worth a moment of calm in your day to stop and consider the journey we have come on in the last few years.

Within a decade, we’ve rode our luck in 5 major cup final triumphs and seen hope and promise fade away into almost regular disappoint in the form of the Premier League. The statisticians will tell you that besides ‘that season’, otherwise known as last season, we’ve made decent progress, which is true.

That decent progress though, has been sabotaged by some other team who have the audacity to jump ahead of us in the queue for the league title. Greedy teams like Man United and Chelsea have decided that since Arsenal’s last triumph in 2004, nobody else can have the title unless you’re prepared to spend massive amounts. Enter Man City, in an almost carbon copy of what Chelsea did 7 years ago, they’re buying all the top available talent from around the world.

From what I can see, they’ve bought pretty well and effectively. They will obviously be the new kids on the block next season and will have to deal with a lot of pressure, which may or may not be to their undoing. Behind City, United and Chelsea though, we have the slow and steady group; Tottenham, Arsenal and of course Liverpool.

We three teams have been able to spend pretty well, but only if we sell 1st, which means while the three respective managers are busy plate-spinning, teams who aren’t selling are winning the league. It doesn’t take a genius to realise that the biggest spenders with the highest wages win the league every year. That philosophy of course doesn’t count for cup competitions because anything can happen, but for a 38 game season, you basically get what you pay for (competent management permitting).

Liverpool have gradually been creeping up on the big guns for years now with all the subtlety of an Elephant. Constantly talked about and hyped about, we’ve failed to deliver what the press say the fans deserve. A league title. Whether or not we ‘deserve’ one or not is for more debate. One thing that is clear though, the expectation will never change.

Through the 90’s til now, Liverpool fans have felt like there’s a party going on on the top floor but we’re not invited, we’ve tried everything but just can’t get in. We went French, we went Spanish, now we’re going English. Of course, nationality doesn’t mean anything as long as you can speak the language, what counts is the gradual evolution of the team into a squad and then into a club.

Houllier’s team was average at best, and with that team we achieved many average things. A penalty shoot out win against Birmingham City, an improbable turn around against Arsenal and a flukey golden goal against Alaves ensured Houllier went away with his head held high. He did leave us a few gems in the form of Sami Hyyppia and Didi Hamman, so give credit where it’s due.

Off the pitch though, Houllier’s legacy was in the academy rejuvenation. Apparently he was shocked at the standard of facilities Liverpool had (which would be later echoed by Rafa Benitez being shocked at the standard of players at said facilities). The work was completed and Liverpool had their brilliant new academy, but we had no-one to put in it. All those bright young English starlets were yet to be picked up and the FA still hadn’t put together a grass-roots plan to right the wrongs.

The answer it seemed came from abroad. Youth players were snapped up with vigour, a whole host of young French players came to fill the academy and reserves but it seems someone was at fault. Our slightly above average team was now unbalanced as it was supported by a below average reserve squad.

As we know now (silly old us) squads and rotation, yes rotation, are vital to any league triumph. Liverpool’s team simply couldn’t sustain a strong title charge so despite a few enjoyable wins over United, we fell away time after time, reaching a peak of 82 points and a second place to United.

With the fans beginning to lose all hope, the board acted, Houllier was sent packing and a new man was brought in. Enter Rafael Benitez.

When Rafa came he was greeted as a conquering hero, he had just broken up the duopoly of Spain with Valencia, twice in three seasons. The spaniard had also replicated Houllier in winning the UEFA Cup. In this guy, we thought we had the answer.

I won’t dwell on it, because we all know what happened, but Liverpool won the Champions League. This diverted our attention away from another terrible season in which we finished below a progressing Everton side. Nobody blamed Rafa of course, because we all knew it was Houllier’s fault. In that season, Rafa had introduced us to a few Spanish players who divided fan opinion, in Alonso and Garcia he had two great buys, but in Josemi and Nunez, he had handed the ammunition to the future firing squad.

Away from 1st team matters Rafa had set a priority in galvanising the youth set up. With the new facilities, Liverpool rearranged their scouting department and scoured the world, instead of Africa and France, for new talent. Millions were spent on youth players to kick start our academy, with which we’re only now beginning to see bear fruit.

On 1st team matters, Rafa encouraged us on the pitch. In 2005/2006 Liverpool were promising, hope it seems, had returned. Despite the press’ love affair with some Portuguese fella in London, they did afford some attention to Liverpool, if only to compare him to the big spending Chelsea. The endless comparisons and Fergie v Wenger v Mourinho v Benitez stats on Sky Sports News were driving some kopites to despair. Why were Liverpool suddenly branded one of the big boys when we had no right to be so?

This labeling proved a heavy burden in seasons to come as the clamour and hunger for domestic bragging rights grew with what appeared to be every passing month. Rafa continually tried to convince us that we were not ready and 2005 was a huge over achievement, but many wouldn’t listen. In what turned out to be a stroke of genius in 2007, Rafa signed a Spaniard by the name of Fernando Torres. For all his playing down of expectations on the club, Rafa couldn’t curb the wave of expectation that came with Torres’ goal exploits.

At the time of his signing, not many were keen on him since Eto’o and Villa were favoured instead (it would take a brave man to admit that now though). His incredible goal ratio set the bar high for us though and with a new cult hero, the fans started to ask the questions once more, where is this damned title?

Back to the reserves, and Rafa had gradually built up a strong team and decent squad. If you want an inkling into the skill of the scouting department, you should have a look at the price difference from the signings Rafa sold to when he bought them. Profit was the name of the game, which encouraged two new owners to splash out on our old club and promise us that our dreams would come true!

I won’t dwell on the two owners because we’ve probably heard enough, this article is about retrospect on the pitch not politics off it. Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes, money!
No thanks to a shameful display of arrogance at the press conference, George Gillett promised us signings, anyone we wanted. Benitez however, was being told a different thing all together in the boardroom.

A tug o’ war was going on in the boardroom and over the last 3 years of Rafa’s reign, the waters were muddied at Anfield. As soon as the media became a weapon in the struggle for both sides, things started to go badly. The fans became polarised as stories came out against Benitez and the board alike. Many didn’t like Rafa, but they hated the board more.

On the pitch, Liverpool managed to take the premiership by surprise in 2008/2009. Favourites for the league at one point and racking up some famous wins against Madrid and Man United all seemed to be going well. At this point though the wheels were turning and rumours of Rafa leaving started to appear more and more. Despite finishing the season extremely strongly, it wasn’t enough to overhaul United and we spent another summer picking up the pieces.

One piece never got picked up though, and that was Xabi Alonso. His exit caused a right stir and many fans accused Benitez of wasting talent despite the move being instigated by Alonso (although the damage was done the previous year, which was the year Alonso didn’t play so well). Anyway, the following season proved to be a disaster, the great team/decent squad thing was pushed too far by injuries and Liverpool never got any kind of rhythm going. A 7th place and UEFA cup semi-final was a bit too ‘2003’ for most people and so off went Rafa to Milan.

Now, present day and if you haven’t noticed a few similarities in the last 2 regimes, you should start to see them now. Blind optimism gradually eradicates caution when a new manager strolls in. An easy win and decent performance from Joe Cole later and we’re talking ourselves up again. I fear, history may repeat itself.

The only difference I can see now, is that, as one of those ‘slowly but surely’ teams we’ve actually created a very strong foundation to build upon. The last 2 managers have certainly played their part. Houllier laid the foundation and Benitez built the house, all Roy needs to do is decorate the thing and off we go! Right?

Well, one obstacle to our slow yet steady progress would’ve been the American duo at the top. As luck would have it, Liverpool ‘need’ to be taken over, and are just about ready to be so. This, coinciding with a new manager allows a unique opportunity to re-evaluate our position. Whereas once I would’ve preached about caution, it’s now difficult to do that without knowing the intentions of any new owner clearly. I doubt that any takeover can influence transfers in this window, so ignoring the off-field events I will try to focus on the football as it stands.

Liverpool have found themselves at a cross roads it seems. In Roy Hodgson they have someone who can make the fans happy, but who’s record at the very top is sketchy at best. However, with such a strong team and burgeoning youth set up, great strides forward are now possible.

While many of us still nurse the wounds of last season, it is worth bearing in mind that this is still the basic set up that scored 86 points 2 years ago and set the league alight with goals. Chelsea and Man United have chosen to stick with their hand this summer, meaning Liverpool have a chance to make that 5 place gap shrink to none.

In a way, riding behind the pressure of new boys City could help us sneak our way back into contention and dare we dream it, is a title on the horizon? Although, I’m sure I’ve heard all this talk before... ah yes, every season in the last 10 years!

This is why, in finishing on a positive, I think it’s good to remind ourselves of the ups and downs we’ve faced in the last decade and how often things seem to repeat themselves. We need to break out of our mould, this is clear, but we must also remember our history lest we are doomed to repeat it.

By Chris Severs

Liverpool FC get ready to administer preparation H.

A new wave of optimism is sweeping the streets of Liverpool, Nando is staying, and Kenny Huang looks like a spot on fella! Hooray! From what I can tell though, everybody has a sense of reservation about the whole thing. As usual with Liverpool FC, it’s impossible to anticipate what kind of mood you’ll be in by the next week, reds fans, welcome to the world of bipolar.

While some fans have been foaming at the mouth at the thought of Cole becoming the player he always should’ve been and Roy Hodgson playing the way ‘we should be playing’, the majority of fans are treating this whole revolution like someone who’s been burned on one too many 1st dates. A mistrust’y mist hangs around Anfield at the moment and I for one don’t blame anyone for it.

‘The gruesome past’ has been confined to history, despite it being only 3 years ago, and it’s hard to avert your eyes from the bright light from the East which promises so much! The over-riding feeling is one of an anxious wait. We were swept up in the glee of the dollar in 2007 as those brave new custodians swaggered and boasted in front of the camera.

Now, we’re battered, bruised, divided but not quite conquered. Somehow the fans kept their heads (mostly) and we can look to the future. Martin Broughton seems to have delivered on his promise, although I still recall DIC being hours away from a takeover and look how that left us. I’m going to declare myself ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the whole thing, but I’m already thinking of football matters.

If this nice Chinaman swoops in with a week or so to go before the transfer window shuts, should we expect a transfer flurry? I’m not so sure. We have to remember that although Mr Huang won Philanthropist of the Year in 2009, he’s a businessman, not an oil rich Sheik. His main aim, and which I fully understand, will be securing the stadium construction. A new stadium would be key to any potential deal because that is the revenue maker. The lure of sponsorships and corporate boxes is very tempting to a man of astute business intelligence.

As a businessman, I think we’d be in good hands off the pitch. As a footballer, I think there will be no squad overhaul so it isn’t worth fantasizing about. If it wasn’t for that devilish nemesis of ours, ‘the injury’, we’d have a fantastic 1st team, this is still the core of the squad that finished 2nd two years ago, if not with added flair. If Hodgson gets them playing well together, which would require great man-management (which he seems to have in abundance) then we could have an exciting season.

From what I hear, Maynor Figueroa is the next signing, and that would be a decent appointment indeed. Surely all we need is an experienced back-up for Torres, but they’re few and far between, maybe Mr Kuyt can stake a claim?

I have no doubt that we can dispatch any team at Anfield, but when it comes to playing away from home, I hope Roy can give a better showing for Liverpool than he did for Fulham. They had a shameful away record under his tenure, but that all seems to have been forgotten! Who cares anyway?

The season is only around the corner and I can’t wait to see regular football again, it’s not as though I’m ‘expecting’ anything, not a lot of Scousers are, but I’ve missed all the talking points. We may have to have our hard hat on though because there’ll be an even bigger focus on Liverpool over the next month than we’re used to, and that means regular bombardments of horrendous punditry.

Liverpool have been the club on everyones lips for ages, whether as victims of mockery, jealousy or adoration. The slanted London media love to stick the boot in whenever possible, but with their number 1 target Rafa leaving, and the darling Roy in, it will be interesting to see how we’re portrayed. The potential of a new ‘accepted’ owner will of course quieten things down and I also wonder what the future holds for those relying on protests for publicity.

Will the protest groups and SOS retreat to their corners? I hope so. I also hope Chris Purslow will stay out of the limelight. He’s been far too prominent in the last year or so and I don’t like to think of myself as too old-school but when it comes to football, the only thing that should be in the press is the football itself. No comments from some board member, no tip offs, inside scoops, no ex-players spewing bile to gutter-press papers. Just pure and simple football, the way the great man wanted it.

Two weeks to go then and all to play for, on and off the pitch. I expect, should Huang take over, a barrage of information about the guy that will simultaneously worry and relieve, accompanied by a bucket-load of Liverpool-Chinese puns in which I invite comments below to pre-empt the headlines.

It’s no understatement to say the current ownership has been the equivalent of severe hemorrhoids on the backside of the club, so bring out Kenny Huang to take the pain away. Once they leave us (for good), it will be a welcome relief to be able to sit in peace and watch football the way it was intended to be watched; in an over-priced, uncomfortable seat, in the rain, listening to morons all around shouting rubbish at both teams...

Ahh, the beautiful game!

By Chris Severs

Liverpool FC and the trouble with the kids today.

There has always been a clamour for young talent in football. Even when it isn’t there, and over the last 6 years I’ve seen no greater demand for it than at Liverpool.

Since Fergie landed the title with his ‘kids’ back in the 90’s, everybody wants a bit of that action. Liverpool haven’t produced a ‘star’ player since Gerrard 10 years ago, and that’s been a thorn in the side of many a fan.

The battle lines were drawn whenever it was deemed unacceptable to pick Johnny Foreigner over ‘one of our boys’. An example last season was Lucas Leiva being picked ahead of Jay Spearing. I don’t claim to be an expert, I simply observe, but from what I observed last season, Jay Spearing isn’t in the same class as Lucas, as hard as that is for some people to get into their skulls.

The demand for young English talent comes from... well, I don’t know where it comes from but it’s everywhere and it’s relentless. The solution has yet to be found, over the last 10 years various clubs have produced batches of promising starlets. Crystal Palace, Man City and Everton have all contributed to the next helping of hype. Remember all the fuss over Micah Richards? What about Walcott? Don’t forget Michael Johnson either! I wonder whether Jack Rodwell will fall into their category. Even as a Liverpool fan, it is interesting to be able to see a young players career develop.

In Houllier’s era, Liverpool imported a lot of French youngsters, Florent Sinama Pongolle being the greatest success. Besides him, none of them impressed despite the promise. Then came Rafa, and using Houllier’s rejuvenated facilities, he began to overhaul the youth system which ruffled a few feathers. Major ins and outs were afoot and some well known names were disgarded.

Since the Spanish inquisition started 6 years ago, Liverpool signed player after player as they scoured the Earth looking for talent. Some young players were deemed good enough to get a tasted of Premiership football; Lucas, Ngog and Insua were the notable ones. Despite their youth and promise, many felt aggrieved that the English lads were not getting a chance. Spearing, Guthrie and Hobbs were often talking points.

Out of the three above examples, only Spearing remains, and in my opinion, I wouldn’t be sad if he was moved on. This isn’t a grudge against Spearing, I genuinely hope he has a long career at a high level. For me, however, he just hasn’t got it, and sadly this is a theme running through a lot of our English young talent, and foreign too for that matter.

Pub talk is usually a source of amusement to me but over the last season I noticed a lot of it was criticism of Rafa’s reluctance to play the young English boys, and especially so when young imports have been selected ahead of the English. Following Rafa’s dismissal, I heard a lot of chatter about the future, naturally, but a lot of it was how Roy Hodgson would play the Brits. Personally, I think this type of philosophy is outdated in todays game and I’m not sure if it would pay dividends in the Premiership.

Barcelona are the only team I think who have had regular success with true homegrown talent, but they should rightly be seen as unique. It may just be me, and i hope it’s not, but football is an international game and therefore I favour Liverpool and it’s academy thinking internationally. England is a small pool to pick from and it’s league is the most demanding in the world, the sums just don’t add up.

I suspect that Roy Hodgson will give all the young players a chance, and everyone will have a clean slate. Giving Lucas the captains armband in pre-season was a brave decision following the 3 years of criticism directed at him. I will be very interested to see how many young players the manager chooses to play, especially in the Carling Cup (or whatever it may be called this season) where he has history of playing ‘weakened’ sides.

On a side note, it is a shame really, that the only player we have at the u19 Championships happening at the moment is Pacheco. Despite his promising performances, our Academy should have more representatives there.

My point, should I waver from it in my rambling, is the expectancy and misguided philosophy that British is best. British hasn’t been best since 1966 and I don’t think that’s going to change soon. The English are still teaching the kids to play with passion and fight, whereas the rest of the leading nations are teaching their kids to play with technique and guile. The revamp can’t start at Liverpool, it needs to start earlier than that.

The kids we have at the moment are all very promising, but the likelihood is 95% of them won’t have the honour of playing 1st class football at Anfield. Of that 5%, the amount Brits that will get the chance is very low indeed. I just hope that should Hodgson be reluctant to throw Spearing, Kelly or Darby in the mix, then he shouldn’t be judged on that fact.

If two experienced and dedicated managers follow similar patterns with our youth, will the calls for one type of youth player (British) stop? Or will we continue to complain that they aren’t given a chance?

The very argument that players are being denied the chance to play due to a managers stubbornness is generally idiotic and ignorant. Do we really think that a player who shines in training regularly wouldn’t be used in this cut-throat game? The value and demand of such players would almost force the manager to showcase such talents, whether it be for a financial reward or footballing reward. I think it’s simply a touch of anxiety from fans who want to see the new Gerrard or the new Fowler. The game moves fast though, and even since Gerrard came onto the scene as a raw holding midfielder, everything has changed.

Change is hard to take for the traditionalists, especially those who recall the all-conquering British teams of the 70’s and 80’s. Things aren’t like they used to be though, any issues Liverpool have with new talent won’t be solved by simply throwing British players into the mix.

Just a thought...

Chris Severs

The Liverpool fans are starving? Then let them eat cake.

So Liverpool have signed Joe Cole eh? Great signing it seems, good work Roy Hodgson and what a shrewd piece of business by Mr Purslow... Actually, all sarcasm dropped, it’s refreshing to see Liverpool act swiftly in a transfer deal for once; Cole and Jovanovic on a free transfer isn’t bad business for the middle of July.

As usual though, you won’t be surprised to hear I have a concern. By winning the race to sign Cole, we will no doubt see his face and shirt everywhere. The press have been calling it a ‘Marquee’ signing, but I just hope that it’s not a distraction. The distraction being the real issue of squad depth.

Everybody agreed only a week ago that our squad was lacking. After the sales of Insua and Benayoun, not to mention Aurelio leaving too, our squad is still lacking. Now, I’m not complaining, because it’s still early days and I expect a bit more business. It does frustrate me however, that already some fans have started fantasizing about a dream-team frontline firing us to glory. The chances of that happening, remain low.

Cole is an incredibly gifted player, this much is true, but he’s not the messiah (nor is he a very silly boy), he is merely a cog in the machine. To win the league, every cog needs to turn like the others, and so Cole will need time as anyone would, to bed in and find his true role in the team.

Those expecting party tricks are sure to be delighted, but I expect results. I will admit that I’ve never been an avid follower of Cole, Match of the Day and televised games are my only real reference points, but it would be interesting to hear from some knowledgeable Chelsea fans how much they think they’ll miss him. After-all, he couldn’t get a game in their Championship winning team, which prompted his move.

I will of course give Cole my full backing, as will every Red fan, but at the moment, I still see this deal with some suspicion. I still want (but do not expect) significant investment this summer. I will feel underwhelmed if another £15 million is not spent on strengthening the squad. Danny Wilson, at £5m looks to be a risky piece of business, but if Rafa and Roy both saw fit to acquire him then I will go a long with that.

At the start of the summer most people expected about £15 million (net) to be spent, but with Insua and ‘Benanoon’ (with a nod to David Pleat) leaving to the tune of £10m, would I be wrong in assuming that would more than cover Cole’s signing on fee and the bulk of any future wage? The question should now be asked, now what? We find ourselves a senior player down (3 out 2 in), and the rest of the summer to right it. We need two proven left backs, as well as decent cover at right back.

I’m not trying to play Football Manager here, but I would expect the majority of our net transfer outlay to be put into the fullback areas. One high profile left back is essential, if Liverpool FC cannot fill this position adequately this summer I won’t be the only one asking questions of the board.

Whether it would be silly to think or not, I would assume the board are not foolish enough to think they can distract the fans with a shiny new centrepiece in Cole while the walls around it rot. I won’t speculate on what left backs we should get, I will leave that to you dear reader, because I only write this article as a reminder of the real health problems at Liverpool.

Getting back to the playing staff, I would desperately love some real experience to be brought in as cover or 1st choice. However, I know, as with all summers, Liverpool get linked with everyone and anyone so it’s impossible to see through the fog of rumour to what’s really going on.

I read yesterday that Alex Ferguson thinks his team don’t need strengthening, I disagree, but I think that the option to splash the cash may no longer be his. Chelsea don’t seem to be rejuvenating their aging squad and Arsenal may have to contend without Fabregas, or at the least with a sulking Spaniard. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, I presume the title will be fought out between Chelsea and Man City, but if both teams were to go through a sluggish patch throughout the season, Liverpool (dare I say it) could pounce.

Any title challenge will require a bit of piece from the media, with Roy on board hopefully they won’t be as vicious and rabid as they were with Rafa. I don’t wish to put words in the mouth of the press, but i worry that there may be some on Fleet Street who feel aggrieved two of London’s finest, in the entertainer Cole and the gentleman Hodgson, have upped sticks and gone to LIverpool. With that in mind, I expect some vitriolic swipes at the men in Red this season.

This is all conjecture of course, and the chances of guessing anything right in football require the help of an octopus who put every single pundit in his place at the World Cup. It just goes to show how simple the game is, and how complicated it has become because of the idiots.

So while we all grab our surf boards and try and ride this wave of positivity as long as we can, the real issues bubble just under the surface. The takeover, the future, and the strength of the squad are all major areas of concern. While the Cole transfer is a shining light, as fans let us be careful not to get caught in the glare of it and let the board put their feet up thinking a day eating cake is worth more than a week eating bread.

By Chris Severs

My Long Hard Fight With Terminal Football

My Long Hard Fight With Terminal Football.

After another round of heartbreak, deflation and frustration for Liverpool fans, I’m once again pondering the imponderable and trying so hard to foresee the future that I’m getting a headache.

What was a bright first half against a lively Atletico Madrid slowly became a painful death by the end of 120 minutes. Despite Liverpool looking competitive and Aquilani instigating some nice 1-touch passing, the Atletico keeper never had much to do.

On the subject of Aquilani, he seemed to have a nickname amongst some of my red neighbours; Yourshit Wasteoftwentymillion I think they were calling him. A game of football quickly descended into swearball as fans abandoned brain cells to shout aimless swear words at the big green pitch in front of them. One loving father, who had brought his young son to the game, seemed to be suffering from a terrible case of Tourrette’s.

If someone covered my eyes and I listened to the fans to try and decipher what was going on i think the first goal would’ve sounded something like this: Fuckoffyou played it out right to Fuckingrunwithit who knocked it on to Masch who swept the ball into the box before Yourshit Wasteoftwentymillion guided the ball home. It was hard for me not to bask in Aquilani’s glory while staring at his ignoramus detractors.

Throughout the whole second half, anxiety crept in while Gerrard and Lucas never seemed to make it to the second half for one reason or another, leaving Liverpool to play on with 9 men. Once extra time rolled around only Atletico seemed up for it, low and behold, up popped Fuckingrunwithit who drilled a ball past the keeper leaving Anfield with hope of glory... and then...

Nope. Just no. Don’t even think about having a good season. It was never going to happen. Two ex Premiership rivals in Reyes and Forlan combined to ultimately send Atletico through and put Liverpool back in their place, leaving us to end the game with a whimper and not a decent shot on target.

After the game, my initial reaction was one of deflation, but by the time I’d made it to the car I’d calmed down and realised that change is in the air at Liverpool and this season is just what we needed. What’s happened this season is too many players have sulked, too many players have been injured and our squad depth has been exposed. After a stuttering start, I feel as though the bigger characters in the dressing room have failed to shake off any lingering doubts and as a result have failed to lift the dressing room.

It almost feels as though Liverpool were diagnosed with a terminal disease early in the season, since then we’ve gradually got weaker, lost belief and in an unfortunate set of circumstance, become bitter and twisted knowing our luck is out.

We’ve been looking for a cure though, the Maxi drug seemed to help a little, but all it’s done is subdue the pain, the despairing feeling remains, looming over us as though there’s nothing left for us to achieve.

By October we’d written our will and wished everyone the best, a Europa League cup chance gave us false hope of recovery, but we were shot down just when we thought we just might...

I’m sick of it though, sick of being sick and watching a sick team play sick football. I think it’s contagious, it happens on the pitch and it spreads like Swine Flu into the stands. I don’t wanna die Football-God, please! Just let me live through this season and I’ll repent.

With the Yanks finally out (or so we hope), I see light on the horizon, maybe we’re over the worst of it, maybe Dr Benitez has found a cure and he’s just waiting for the summer to administer the treatment. I see Rafa as unspectacular, but steady, methodical and astute, for this I put my faith in him to turn it around. Just one last season, one last hoorah for Rafa to show us what he can really do, that’s what I want.

With a bit of luck, and a spit shine here and there, this season could be a wake-up call and players who maybe thought they’d made it, should take a long hard look at themselves. What has been a problem this season has been the clubs reputation in the media, players like Babel, Riera and Carragher have not helped things this season. Regardless of their intentions, speaking to the press in any way can only lead to bad things, I wouldn’t throw those dogs a bone never mind a nice juice quote to manipulate.

I think Rafa, if he stays, has a big job at hand to pull the dressing room in order, it feels as though cliques may have formed and with Gerrard and Carragher allegedly losing faith in Benitez, I can only hope that they grow up and sort out it out. If it is true of course, allegedly.

It should be remembered that we still have one of the best defences in the league this season, and Reina is once again on course for a Golden Gloves award. The loss of experienced pro’s like Hyyppia, Alonso and Arbeloa has affected team moral, but we’re a team of grown men and the show must go on.

At the moment, even though our season is in tatters, we are not far away from cracking it, it’s fine tuning that’s missing and creative experience. I’m positive that next year Maxi and Aquilani will play a big role in our title push. Players with game intelligence will become ever more important to us because I feel as though too many of our players literally haven’t got a clue. Kuyt, Babel and Carragher, for all their effort, potential and commitment are so hopeless with the ball at their feet I almost blush with embarrassment, as though I’m watching a match just hoping I was the only person in the world who saw it.

If we get a decent amount of money to spend this summer, I hope that Rafa will distribute it wisely on 2 or 3 players at most. We aren’t in need of sweeping changes, just sweeping the dust off our footballing brains under that big red rug. It’s time now to take our medicine, accept that our fate isn’t in our hands (which it hasn’t been for decades) and hope we’re back to full health and rid of this terrible affliction by August!

By Chris Severs

I'll tell you what!

I’ll tell you what!

Bemused, perplexed, confused and flabbergasted. That’s pretty much the state of mind I’m in for the majority of my football related viewing. I spend most of my time trying to find reason in football related matters, which is of course, redundant.

I don’t know why I watch football, all it does is throw problems at me, and it seems to do that to everyone. The ‘Oxbridge’ boat race is on as I type this, and although pointless on the outside, it’s simplicity has a beauty to it that football doesn’t. It’s just a bunch of testosterone fueled toffs pulling on sticks for 15 minutes as hard as they can, simple, no?

When I compare this to football, to all the controversy, the cheating, the vulgarity of riches and the desolation of broken institutions, I have to wonder why I follow such an embarrassing calamity of a business. Like a cheap old whore coming out of retirement, football has threw on it’s lipstick, squeezed into it’s old heels, stuck some extensions in, splattered a bucket of foundation on it’s face and tried to pass itself off as a business. A recent report from Sid Lowe about the Spanish game is relevant to football in all of the major leagues (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/mar/28/barcelona-real-madrid-spain).

I used to be of the impression that once the whistle starts a game to when the whistle blows for full time then nothing else matters. This season however has highlighted that the blatant incompetence, hypocrisy and cheating is as abundant on the pitch as it is off the pitch. Watching Fernando Torres getting cynically kicked all over the park against Benfica on Thursday night was like watching a puppy sat outside in the rain looking back in at your warm toasty haven; completely disappointing, sad and overwhelmingly deflating.

I can’t put my finger on what the problem is, and I worry that if my finger ever came into contact with the problem then it would be quickly bitten off by whatever foul beast is responsible. If I was speculating (which I obviously am) then the root cause is likely to be money. It makes people greedy and at it certainly affects peoples judgments.

I’m starting to think there’s a simplicity in supporting a team that’s not in the media spotlight week in week out. Part of the infuriation that plagues most football fans is ‘expert’ opinion. Now I’m not going to get dragged down into a rant (again) on punditry but if I could leave a ticking suitcase anywhere in the world then watch out Sky Studios!

Back to football, I was very impressed with the hostile atmosphere created by the Benfica fans during our game, it’s a passion that is generally missing in England. I know Rafa came out and talked about our fans being the 12th man but lets be honest, we’re only up for a game a couple of times a year. For the rest of the games the stands are full of slack-jawed louts who don’t know their arses from their elbows and the only thing they’re experts on is the price of a pint. That isn’t exclusive to Liverpool of course, all around England the passionate fan is being replaced by the angry fan. There’s a subtle difference and too many people are blatantly missing the point.

Everybody’s an expert and especially with hindsight it’s easy to preach to others about ‘what you would have done’ but the fact is, nobody cares, because they’re too wrapped up in what they believe themselves. In a way that’s what makes the game so popular, the fact that everyone can have an opinion. What drags it down is the way those opinions escalate into widely held beliefs (fueled by anger) and then, heaven forbid, end up oozing out of Jamie Redknapps mouth.

Right now I’m watching Man City run riot at Turf Moore and although it’s apparent that Burnley are hurtling towards the comforting bosom of Championship Football.
It’s reassuring to see that the majority of Burnley fans are sticking by their team after conceding 4 goals in 20 minutes. I admire that in a strange sort of way, although admiring the brave is very similar to admiring the stupid.

With a touch of foresight, I’d like to remind those expecting some sort of ‘Kop roar’ against Benfica to not get your hopes up, I think you should find a CD of the Kop’s best chants and just throw that on. I fully expect (if Liverpool aren’t winning after 30 minutes) for a chorus of moans, groans and stale old shouts at the same old players so watch out Lucas and Mr Kuyt!

From now to the end of the season I’m going to try and grow a cocoon of ignorance were I’ll try my best to avoid all lager infused opinion and steer clear of any expert punditry. Bring on Eurosport and it’s excellent Eurogoals show! No opinion, just goals. Yes please.

Musings from Anfield Asylum

Anfield Asylum

Warning: What you read in this article may shock and appall you, not because of it’s content, more it’s context. I know not what I should write about, just that I should write.

So as I lie here on my bed, watching yet another captivating episode of Rome, my thoughts turn to Liverpool. What has become of this once great club? What does that sentence even mean? I feel like there is a harrowing sense of arrogance around Anfield, that is slowly being emancipated. Not by choice on our part, but the hand that guides the club drives a steady wedge between us and the institution that is Liverpool FC.

I’ve been thinking though, how bad is it? How bad can it get? What’s happening now is unfortunate, the club has obviously been put into the wrong hands, and lets face it, it has been in the wrong hands for the last 20 years.

One thing that I have learned in my time following the game is that nothing happens quickly in football, except a few sparse Eastern miracles. Liverpool have been on a descending curve for two decades, I fear that under Rafa we are merely in our last death throws.

In the death throws of a dying animal, it can appear vicious and full of fight. I feel that at Liverpool, this wave of expectation and hope that has engulfed the club in the last 5 years is merely a mirage to the depressing fact that lurks behind; we are a dying animal, and the misplaced optimism that surrounds us is our final lunges at victory.

Of course, I hope I am wrong, I am only venting my fears in the form of hammered keys on a laptop, there is no practical solution to the problem that I can offer, you see! There is a big summer coming up, with investment looming on the horizon. There are too many unknowns however, it is impossible to forecast what may happen.

I don’t know whether I’ve just reached terminal optimism and I’m somehow seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but I’m seeing this current era at Liverpool as somewhat of a purging of all that is wrong. It is widely accepted that what is off the field cannot get any worse, something has to give and it’s ready to give soon by all accounts.

Once Hicks & Gillett relinquish control, we can only hope that the new ‘benefactors’ (which would be a more appropriate name) are determined not to operate under the threat of a financial guillotine, but to move freely in a debt free enterprise.

I have practically written this season off, 4th place I hope for but a Europa League triumph would be only a bonus. The real match will be in the boardroom, and my anxiety regarding the outcome helps me understand what kind of anxiety Barrack Obama was feeling on his inauguration. Oh well, viva la revolution!

This summer, if rumours are to be believed, could be the biggest in the clubs history. I’ve heard many exaggerations about big summers regarding on the field issues, but these problems are much bigger than ‘who should play right wing’. Everytime I hear a tedious debate about a Rafa team selection I feel like I’m lowering myself away from the real issues and into a schoolyard scrap.

It is unfortunate that the game that stirs so many souls has turned into a ruthless business, but that is the nature of the beast and we must learn to accept it’s temperament. We of course have the power to influence things, but the sad reality is that we cannot organise ourselves in such a way to affect the destiny of the club at the moment. Maybe one day in the future we could unite into a Liverpool Republic FC, were a senate decides everything and all men are equal; That worked out okay for the Romans... right?

ON THE DEFENSIVE

On the defensive.

Balance is an important word in the footballing world and depending on what side of the scales you’re on, the other side can look pretty good from a sunken position. At Liverpool, the weight of expectation and pressure can sink the balance of a team to all new lows.

This season, Liverpool have been in the proverbial gutters. From day one things haven’t gone to plan, a slumping defeat to Tottenham was an anti-climax to a summer of ego-building and shoulder patting. The country expected, the city expected and the team expected. Expectation can be a heavy burden and on shoulders that were broad yet fragile, it all came tumbling down on that first defeat.

From that moment, we have been searching for answers. Too many questions have been posed and not enough solutions gained. While any positives have been attributed to the players, especially Messrs Gerrard and Torres, all the negativity has landed at Rafael Benitez’ door.

In times of adversity, great leaders must step forward and be counted. This is where Rafa may have issues. His lack of animation and perceived passion some may say is a reason for the drab and lackluster displays. Too many of us are quick to highlight one reason or another, instead of looking at all the options available.

In a game of chess, one wrong move can take 20 recovery moves to correct, providing the game is still winnable. Liverpool this season haven’t had the time to stop and think of their next move. Each setback has been quickly followed by another and with every defeat, every injury crisis, the pressure builds.

Rafa, who adopts the charisma and attitude of a chess player, has a lot of moves to make to correct the mistakes. Although he is often tagged as lucky, this season has surely seen that supposed luck run dry and then some. We have to ask ourselves though, after the success of last year, the inevitable departure of Alonso and the restrictions on transfer budget, what would we have done? Without using hindsight, it would have taken a brave man to have doubted Rafa in the summer of 2009 when our League Championship seemed a matter of when not how.

In times of despair, some fans are wishing Rafa away, they want to see a man who can inspire the players through team talks, someone who can give the hairdryer and charm the press; they want a Mourinho. For me, that’s not the answer. Not only is it financially impossible, cutting chords now is not the way forward for Liverpool.

Rafa is not a media man, he would much rather be left to his own devices to work his ‘machine’ in the way he built it. He’s not popular in the pundit business, this could (on a hunch) be due to him not playing the quote game with journalists on Fleet Street. He’s not a ‘mans man’ either, like Allardyce, Ferguson or any ex pro turned manager. His lack of a playing career alienates him to ‘experts’ on TV. They often don’t understand his ways and decisions because he studied a different side of the trade to them.

Rafa was never a top flight player, this is why his attitude to players is distant and strictly professional. He was in no players union, he may not understand the frustrations of being rotated during a hot streak and he’s certainly not in the game to make friends. However, what he does understand is the science of football. Benitez is in the Arrigo Sacchi mould, a career cut short by a lack of ability never stopped Sacchi going on to be one of the games greatest coaches. From our perspective, the shit has hit the fan, but from an objective point of view, Benitez has won almost everything in the game at club level, his position among the greats is almost achieved, and still at a relatively young age.

One thing we have to steer clear of is the ignorant punditry and reporting that doubts Benitez ability as a coach and his understanding of the game. Sacchi was once questioned on his qualifications of being a manager since he had never played the game at the highest level, he responded “To be a great jockey one does not need to have been born a horse”.

When a team such as Liverpool has a bad season, each blow struck against us is analysed, disected and blown out of proportions. All of our faults are exposed and laid bare, it makes us a target for teams who fancy their 15 minutes and due to this we come up against opposition who in previous seasons would roll over. In the meantime, Rafa has been trying to plug holes in the pipe-work while trying to build an extension on the house, the team has found itself between a rock and a hard place.

The tactics employed by Benitez this season have come under much derision, his choice of player and formation have been questioned at every opportunity. Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva have come under special scrutiny while players like Carragher and Gerrard have gotten away with sub-standard performances throughout the season.

Although it is wrong to criticize players who are the workers of a team and who’s work-rate cannot be questioned, it is fair to lay the blame at Benitez’ door. I am a staunch supporter of Benitez and am in favour of a long Benitez tenure, I have however been left frustrated by certain tactics and team selections this season. This frustration however, will not be enough to deter me from the long term goal that I still feel Rafa can achieve, and that of course is Liverpool clinching that Premier League Crown.

When everyone seems to be losing their heads, I’m happy that the man in charge has a cool, calculating and tactical head on him. To get us through this we need to have patience and belief, transferring this onto the pitch may be a tall order, but the players will feel a whole lot better if the 40,000 in the stands aren’t paying more attention to a mistake than a great pass.

The best thing we can do at the moment is remind ourselves that the man we have at the helm has revolutionized this club. The youth team especially are overlooked more than most, the brimming bowl of talent ready to spill over into the 1st team is an exciting thought for the future. However, thinking too far ahead could be dangerous and to use a Rafa cliché ‘we must only concentrate on the next game’.

Our descent into the mire has left us stuck in the mud, instead of writhing with anger that we can no longer win the league, I feel that as a group we need to simply ‘get over it’ and help push the team through to 4th place.

As soon as the team can shake loose the shackles of pressure and disappointment, we should be free to get back to what we know we’re good at and start strangling opposition teams into submission. That’s how we built the foundation of the last 5 years of progression and that’s the route we must return to in order to start the painful recovery.

We may no longer be in a position to gain a checkmate in this game, but a stalemate settling for 4th should be something to be proud of considering the seasons troubles. In order to grind out a stalemate a chess player must be willing to play a defensive game, thats something we need to get used to as a crowd for the rest of the season.


By Chris Severs