Enough friendly fire, thanks.
If Liverpool’s American co-owners had hoped to undermine Rafa Benitez’s position by courting Jurgen Klinsmann, last night may have come as something of a shock - and not just because Liverpool finally put in a performance worth watching
Liverpool fans are not accustomed to seeing their club competing for space alongside Newcastle United in the red tops and the banners on the Kop told the tale of righteous anger: “Thanks Yanks. More friendly fire”.
Instead of weakening the Spaniard’s position, Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr have instead undermined their own. They have dragged the club through the mud and fans are openly questioning whether they are the right men not only to lead the club to glory but to maintain the long and venerable tradition of the Boot Room.
Ninety per cent of voters in Times Online’s poll yesterday said they thought the new owners don’t know what they are doing. Yesterday, another banner – “SOS Dubai” – apparently led the call for new owners. But what do you think? Is it time for the Yanks to sling their hook?
Liverpool FC are in a very dangerous position. Yes, it is a fact that the American owners have no empathy for the club, its traditions, or its history. Nor do they seem to understand the subtleties of running a major UK sporting institution competing in one of the most professional leagues in the world, under the gaze of knowledgeable fans and expert media commentators. So, they need to be replaced by shrewder, more commited and more sympathetic owners. And QUICKLY before the damage becomes too great.
But Liverpool's problems do not end there. Next, the Board have let the club down badly. After years of striving to find the right owners they have sold the club cheap and innapropiately. The net result is that after selling an international institution for a rock bottom price they are confronted with new owners who have failed to deliver on every promise they have made. Where is the new ground with 'extended capacity'? Where are the international calibre players that were supposed to be heading our way? And where is the famous cohesion of spirit and purpose that, even in bad times, was always at the heart of the club?
Worse still, and I realise that for some this is heresy, Rafa Benitez is not the man for Liverpool. Rotation policy, ridiculous. Selection policy, quirky and capricious. Understanding of what it takes to win the Premiership, totally lacking. Let's be honest, even in cup competitions it has been luck not judgement that has saved the day. Against AC Milan the team he selected was played off the park. The team he was forced to play in the second half won...and won gloriously. Against West Ham in the FA Cup Final, without the heroics of Gerrard, he would also have ended up the loser. The myth of Rafa the tactical genius is just that, a myth. Remember, under Rafa Liverpool have made no impression whatsoever in the Premiership on ANY of the top teams! We have never beaten one of them away from home!
Finally, the players. How many would Arsenal, United or Chelsea buy from us - Gerrard, Torres, perhaps Carragher. The rest would be hard pressed to make the grade.
Sorry to be so negative. I have been a Liverpool supporter since 1957 (yes, 57!). It pains me to say this but Liverpool, unless decisive action is taken, are sliding towards crisis. In the unforgiving dogfight that is Premiership football it is possible for any club, even the biggest, to lose their way.
No more burying our heads in the sand. We've got problems. Let's act now to make sure they don't spiral out of control.
Posted by: Philip | January 16, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Go now Americans you don't have a clue. Please leave before you ruin our great club. It was a sad day the day they arrived and it will be an even sadder day the day one of the greatest managers in the history of our club is forced out of Anfield. Everything was fine until they arrived. The only thing we have to thank them for is Torres but we would have got him eventually anyway.
Come on Liverpool fans get behind Mr Benitez. In Rafa We Trust, With Americans we Go Bust.
Posted by: Laura | January 16, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Leave now Americans before you destroy our great club. All was fine until they arrive. The only thing we have them to thank for is Torres.
In Rafa We Trust
Posted by: Laura | January 16, 2008 at 02:56 PM
I think its an impossible situation.
Liverpool made the wrong choice when selecting Gillett/Hicks. But the problem is without them where would we be?
Whats to say that DIC would act any better (thats if they are still interested).
I can't help feeling that if the Texan was replaced by the more 'customer friendly' approach of Gillett, the current situation could be smoothed out.
But they must back Benitez (and back him now)
Posted by: PGriff | January 16, 2008 at 02:13 PM