Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Has It All Fallen Apart?


Without having to be overly-critical on my own favourite team (like I did on Saturday where I blasted the team for their 'efforts'), I guess it's time we have to take a good look at our team again before we can convince ourselves about us being in the bracket together with United and Arsenal. Dumped out of 2 cups within a space of 4 days and ditched by the same team in Arsenal, there is no excuse as to how the season has fallen on all fours (or threes if you think we have a chance against Barcelona).

This is the first time in 77 years where we conceded more than 5 goals at Anfield and rightly, we deserve a royal spanking. We have been mediocre at best so far this season with only a few convincing performances against some inferior team on the way.

Each season we proclaimed 'this is our season' and looking at the squad, do you really think a team with Crouch, Pennant or Zenden is going to win us the Holy Grail? There are too many bit part players and mediocre ones. But we should try to understand that Rafa has limited resources so far and he could only go for players that are within his budget.


The loss on the pitch is nothing compared to the loss of both Mark Gonzalez and Luis Garcia. We could move on with this result but these two players are essentially our two best left wingers left at the squad. How the injury will hamper our campaign further remains to be seen, but it's still a major blow. Seriously sums up the plight we're in now. Nothing is going right, at all.

The only 'positive' I could master out of the game would have to be the little bit of determination in some of the players. Gerrard had to put up a good show after his gutless performance on Saturday and he was still driving the team on when Liverpool is 5-1 down. Yes, 5-1. Thank God I didn't watch it. How embarrassing.

But all these positives we look at after a defeat are just excuses for supporters. It's clear that the team is not good enough and that we are most likely going to end up trophy-less this season, first time after Rafa Benitez's appointment in 2004.

But no matter how annoyed or pissed you are, as a fan, I would like to say give Rafa some time to make things right. Rome is not built in a day and I believe he will still go on to make Liverpool a forces to reckon with in years to come. Looking at both Wenger and Ferguson, we know they don't have a particularly good start to their career at their respective teams but as time goes by, with more experience, they turned them into world beaters, a team he can use to call his own.

Although we have been particularly poor against the big 3 teams, I'm sure Rafa will learn from all the mistakes and put Liverpool back to where they belong. As inexperienced as he is, he will have to learn things the hard way just like real life, where sometimes we learn best when we fall, flat on the ground.

Maybe this 6-3 defeat serves to remind all of us to keep out feet on the ground and that there are still MUCH room to improve, much to learn. It's not the end of the day, just end of another race. But look this way that there is still better days to come under Rafa (I'm sure).

And as we always sing, "when you walk through the storm, hold your head up high, and not be afraid of the dark, at the end of the storm, there's a golden sky and the sweet silver song of the lark". Don't take defeat too much to heart and that after we survive this 'storm', taste of victory would be sweeter than ever. Come on, don't give up your faith in the team and let's walk on with hopes in our hearts.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

am so surprised to see Liverpool struggling to find consistency under Rafa even after more than 2 years! Who do think Liverpool shd sign if they have to consistently challenge for the top honors? Do they really need a Mascherano now?

psychohare said...

I think our problem, is the wings... something is wrong with our defense also... they are too slow...the reason why we lost the last 2 against Arsenal is most likely coz of poor communication between the defense and Dudek (Dudek, i know u need time and u havent played for so long, but hey, how lame of an excuse is that? be a man and accept your mistakes, u messed up big time, and you're not worth your wages, cya Dudek, thanks for the last 20 mins of Istanbul 2005)
we need some fresh blood seriously, with some fast legs for the wing backs, Riise and Finnan are really heavily burdened with consistent efforts despite having tired legs.. Alves anyone? i want him badly...
ManUre has fantastic wingers (hate to admit that, but it's true), Chelski has 2 super wingers, they just dun use them so much this season... Arsenal is a super fast overall, they can play with or without wingers...
imo Gonzalez is one for the future, and for bsckup, im hoping Kewell comes back soon...
Pennant... i dunno, he only peforms better against "lesser" teams, maybe hes not made for the Liverpool first team after all...

Strikers, i think we need one real good one soon, to replace Fowler when he retires (the God is awesome, he scores in almost ever game i remember him playing...) Fowler doesnt play alot too, but he still scores frequently, what do u have to say for that Dudek?
Crouch is for Europe, Bellamy for the EPL, Kuyt for everything...

come on REDS! get your act back up and lets rape Barca!

psychohare said...

oh i forgot Mascherano... we dun really need him, but he can be very useful... very very useful...
but Juve is actively pursuing him also... so we'll have to see...

Anonymous said...

ok,Liverpool. They need to buck up, seriously.Away form improving, home form must mantain.if i was Benitez, Hyypia,Pennant,Dudek,Bellamy and Fowler would be out. The God needs game, maybe i shall keep him as backup =).Hyypia is slow now, Dudek,do i have to say?pennant, good against weaker teams, not impressive playing with stronger teams. Bellamy, Fast n speedy, but lacks e finishing touches.
Liverpool recently loan a italian keeper, but signing Hildebread would be good as a backup. Sign a defender,Woodgate been quite impressive in Boro, but injury is his weakness. Agger isnt e best og covers,n i cant think of 1 who could replace him,yet. Liverpool should buy Nedvad. He isnt happy in Juve anyway, Trezeguet could be a good signing too, for liverpool. Liverpool needs another influencial midfielder.Centre mid to be specific. U cant play around Gerrard, what if he gets injured?(no offence thou)Reo Cooker might be a good signing, but they shuld go for maybe pablo aimar or Lyon's Tiago.

DROGBALLS said...

lucas: well, what's so suprising. Liverpool has been inconsistent all these years and only up till last year when we finally show abit of consistency. Don't forget we went on a 12 games unbeaten run and we went on a run this season as well. And you're judging after 2 years? How long did Fergie take to win the league anyway? With competitions heating up, it'll only make it more difficult.

Everyone else: Yes, we can buy this and that but we need the damn money now. We can talk about how well a squad can be on paper but ultimately, it's up to the players to put up the show and for Rafa to implement his own style in Liverpool rather than buying make shift players and all those stop gaps. It's time we get serious and go all out for players who will win us the league now, not 'promising' or 'just about good enough'.

psychohare said...

exactly, i think one superb player is more important than buying a couple squad/promising players