Things Could Get Worse at Liverpool
In hindsight, the six goals against Derby were an illusion. It was after all Derby and not some giant of the Premier League such as Birmingham or Wigan, correct? The form Liverpool have hit since the 6 goal explosion against the worst club to play in the top flight in years has revealed that not much has changed at Anfield despite the big spending spree. Rafa Benitez refuses to stop tinkering and the attack refuses to show any sign of consistency. When you have title aspirations and you see the likes of Portsmouth, Birmingham and Wigan in front of you that should be an automatic 9 points. Not 5 points and just one goal to show.
And when you have a squad big enough, talented enough to play in two competitions the likes of Porto (even in Portugal) and a dismal Marseilles (at Anfield) should be an automatic 6 points giving you a clear path to the knock out round of the Champions League. Instead, Benitez has made a complete hash of this early part of the season. By not starting Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel every match he has me totally confused. You sign players like that to start, play 80-90 minutes and get 3 points week in and week out. You don't spend a fortune to let them toil on the bench while mid-table sides dreaming of UEFA Cup qualification out work you over 90 minutes. If you make that your policy. If you make "rotation" your policy you will not win anything. Liverpool fans that doubt that (and there can't be many out there left) need only look at the Premier League results under Benitez for proof it doesn't work.
Two Champions League finals and a miracle win in one of them. Indeed. Phenomenal. But are Liverpool now only a Champions League club? You could argue they are since Benitez essentially refuses to compete in England. You could argue that Liverpool ought to be deeply concerned about Spurs Sunday. The reaction from the players after the Aston Villa draw, running over to Martin Jol and celebrating, proves they are ready to fight for their manager and their season.
If Spurs carry that emotion into Anfield and Liverpool carry their form from mid-week the result will be embarrassingly lopsided in favor of Spurs. Things could get much worse before they get better at Anfield. And if they do get better later on (as they usually do) it will be too late.
Liverpool must now win the next two matches in the Champions League to have any chance of advancing. The next of which will be played in Istanbul. Symbolism aside, it is never easy to win in Turkey.
Consider their league schedule. Sunday at home against Spurs. October 20 (after the International break) away to Everton. October 28 (after visiting Besiktas) home against Arsenal. November 3 away to Blackburn. Listen, that is a stretch of matches that is very dangerous. The early part of their schedule was set up to allow them a blip during this rougher part and not lose ground. Instead, they botched the matches that should have been 3 points and now risk being done and dusted in the title race should they drop points against real competition.
What started to look like a dream season against Derby is long forgotten. It was Derby after all! If Liverpool fail to qualify for the knock out round and if they fail to mount a challenge for the Premier League, Benitez should be shown the door.
And when you have a squad big enough, talented enough to play in two competitions the likes of Porto (even in Portugal) and a dismal Marseilles (at Anfield) should be an automatic 6 points giving you a clear path to the knock out round of the Champions League. Instead, Benitez has made a complete hash of this early part of the season. By not starting Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel every match he has me totally confused. You sign players like that to start, play 80-90 minutes and get 3 points week in and week out. You don't spend a fortune to let them toil on the bench while mid-table sides dreaming of UEFA Cup qualification out work you over 90 minutes. If you make that your policy. If you make "rotation" your policy you will not win anything. Liverpool fans that doubt that (and there can't be many out there left) need only look at the Premier League results under Benitez for proof it doesn't work.
Two Champions League finals and a miracle win in one of them. Indeed. Phenomenal. But are Liverpool now only a Champions League club? You could argue they are since Benitez essentially refuses to compete in England. You could argue that Liverpool ought to be deeply concerned about Spurs Sunday. The reaction from the players after the Aston Villa draw, running over to Martin Jol and celebrating, proves they are ready to fight for their manager and their season.
If Spurs carry that emotion into Anfield and Liverpool carry their form from mid-week the result will be embarrassingly lopsided in favor of Spurs. Things could get much worse before they get better at Anfield. And if they do get better later on (as they usually do) it will be too late.
Liverpool must now win the next two matches in the Champions League to have any chance of advancing. The next of which will be played in Istanbul. Symbolism aside, it is never easy to win in Turkey.
Consider their league schedule. Sunday at home against Spurs. October 20 (after the International break) away to Everton. October 28 (after visiting Besiktas) home against Arsenal. November 3 away to Blackburn. Listen, that is a stretch of matches that is very dangerous. The early part of their schedule was set up to allow them a blip during this rougher part and not lose ground. Instead, they botched the matches that should have been 3 points and now risk being done and dusted in the title race should they drop points against real competition.
What started to look like a dream season against Derby is long forgotten. It was Derby after all! If Liverpool fail to qualify for the knock out round and if they fail to mount a challenge for the Premier League, Benitez should be shown the door.
posted by Anonymous at 8:43 AM
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