Liverpool's Implosion

Well, some rather large, Benitez-sized chickens are coming home to roost, and the last hen-house left unsullied by his flock of aberrant fowl is The UEFA Champions League. Barnsley, who one-upped the Reds during the latest Liverpool-sponsored 'Magic-of-the-Cup' TM meeting this past weekend, have proved Liverpool are a Premiership Big Four squad with an AZ Alkmaar first team.

Many Scousers had thought this was the year that the Premier League could finally be added to the tally of trophies won in ad-hoc style by Rafa Benitez and his band of mercenaries, but a mere glance at the starting line-up at the start of the game on Saturday, especially when one considers the greats who have worn a Liverpool shirt down the years, should have given pause to the more naive of Liverpool supporters not in attendance on account of the game being a 'sure-thing.'

Dirk Kuyt. Ryan Babel. Leiva Lucas. Beyond sounding like names from a pulp, seventies sci-fi novel these players don't really spark the imagination, especially when it comes to the 'football' they churn out every week. Now, take a minute. Ian Rush. Kevin Keegan. Alan Hansen. I wasn't even alive when these three were rounding out the 100 best moments of the Kop, yet their names instantly evoke a style of play that once completely dominated League One and the whole of Europe.

Yes, Shankly was there too, and eventually Paisely. After May 2005 and Istanbul, many in football were ready to rank Rafa among the two. Now he is beginning to resemble Don Revie, leading a no-name team of rough-and-tumblers who'd rather shank the ball thirty-seven times in a game on the off-chance the keeper will spill one so Torres can roll it in.

Of course, Big Cup may yet be salvaged, and fourth place in the league is not out of contention yet. But Liverpool are in a major bind. With Gillett and Hicks slowly losing their scapegoat status, many Reds supporters are going to realise that while Benitez may have had his successes, he is the one responsible for the current squad of do-nothing run-and-hoofers. And if he goes, who will the two tight-pursed Yanks be willing to get in? I've heard Steve Staunton is available and willing to take a pay-cut.