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Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (R) walks towards manager Rafael Benitez - Source: Photosport -
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It may be apt that it is currently freezing in England's North-West because after Liverpool's exit from the FA Cup on Wednesday it was the Red half of Merseyside who were left feeling Blue.
It is always hard losing to Everton (a pain matched only by losing to United) mainly because, well, it doesn't often happen, but the feeling of losing to a strong and determined Toffee's with a goal from teenager Dan Gosling in the final three minutes of Liverpool and Everton's fourth round FA Cup replay at Goodison Park is just the icing on the cake in what has been a turbulent few months for Liverpool.
The signs may have been on the wall at Goodison when Liverpool's inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard was forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury just 15 minutes into the fierce and physical Derby - leaving a newly returned Fernando Torres to hold the weight of the clash on his lone shoulders.
And even though Liverpool's No.9 scored two goals to secure Liverpool's emphatic victory over a poor Chelsea in the Premier League at the weekend, the pressure heaped on the star striker with the loss of Gerrard is one that could have been avoided.
Over the last few days the spotlight has been on Liverpool with Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane rejoining Tottenham Hotspur after a difficult six months in Merseyside during which time the well-respected player was subjected to questionable treatment at the hands of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez where he was either hauled off as the clock struck 60 or warmed the Anfield bench.
The fact of the matter is; Robbie Keane was never going to get his game while Torres was fit, and while on a personal level many Liverpool fans were happy that Keane had made the switch back to Tottenham as he struggled to find form and confidence with the Reds, there were worries that the gap left by the striker would come back to haunt Liverpool, and so with irony aplenty it came to pass - one can only imagine Robbie Keane laughing his backside off at White Hart Lane as we speak.
Benitez's Nonsensical Selections
In Wednesday's FA Cup clash Benitez once again chose weedy Lucas over the formidable Mascherano in midfield - even after the Brazilian gave away a penalty with a rash challenge which led to Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Wigan in the Premier League that gifted rival's Man United more breathing space at the top of the table, as if they needed it.
In response, during the FA Cup clash, Lucas rewarded Benitez with a daft 76th minute challenge on Lescott that saw him bag another yellow card.
As a result the Brazil international was sent off, leaving a ten man Liverpool to fight on in a game that was becoming increasingly desperate, doing nothing for Reds fans who claim Lucas is "not good enough" to pull on a Liverpool shirt or the critics who in recent weeks have been questioning the sanity of Spaniard Benitez.
For some fans being knocked out of the FA Cup may feel like just a blip.
Liverpool are, after all, second in the league, and still in Champions League contention, and can now make the above their primary focus.
But for most, the Keane saga, Benitez' Alex Ferguson and David Moyes rants, the trouble with the clubs American owners, the dire draws, the questionable sub selections and the uninspiring performances are becoming to much to handle.
And it is not the losing to Everton really that is the problem, it is the very feeling that something is very wrong at this club, internationally renowned for its passion, determination and endless spirit.
During this season Liverpool have played some glorious football, bagged some fantastic results and got the hopes up of many, but as the 'Rafa's going crazy" chants loom loud and the restless feelings grow it is clear that something needs to be sorted at Liverpool and sorted fast before the Mighty Reds become yet another Mighty Let Down come May.
Do you think Liverpool is losing the plot? What do you think needs to happen to turn things around?
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Post new commentRedLady said on 2009-02-07 @ 07:38 NZDT: Report abusive post
I don't know what your on about Nobby. It may not be time to dismiss Liverpool just yet but they shouldn't have sold Keane without getting another striker, Rafa does make stupid sub selections and you only need to look at the boys on the pitch to see that all is not well at Anfield.
nobby_nz said on 2009-02-06 @ 10:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
Crikey!!! We all take ourselves a little bit too seriouslu on here don't we??????
itfcok78@hotmail.com said on 2009-02-06 @ 10:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
Nobby - you should have taken the trouble to read the author's background before slating her- she's no Kiwi and as a Red is probably hurting as again a season of promise is threatening to ebb away into 'what could have been'. The loss of Gerrard is the biggest blow.
nobby_nz said on 2009-02-06 @ 09:02 NZDT: Report abusive post
It makes me laugh, it really does. A Kiwi Football reporter writing a report that relies more on cloud cuckoo land than real life. Have you ever been within 200 miles of Anfield?
andy2003 said on 2009-02-05 @ 21:58 NZDT: Report abusive post
Man United, Man United, Glory Glory Man United, 4 trophies to sit in the cabinet at the Theatre of Dreams this season. Top of the table with 2 points gap and the all important game in hand which will definitely earn them another 3 points, Man United now in pole position with the contenders giving chase.