Red Corner

Return to the throne could rebuild the Liverpool way

2011-02-22T09:00:00.001Z

For Liverpool fans of a certain vintage 22 February 1991 counts as one of the darkest days of their lives as football supporters. And with good reason. It is the day on which Kenny Dalglish seemed to have ended a glorious association with the club.

Just over a decade spent as a player - he officially hung up his boots on the eve of the 1990-91 campaign by allowing his registration to lapse rather than make an announcement - then a four and a half year spell as player/manager was brought to a close at a hastily arranged press conference.

There had been largely unfounded murmurings of discontent in the dressing room and letters had recently appeared in the local media about some team selections. However, there was no question of the manager’s position coming under pressure.

A few signings had been made over the previous month. It was expected journalists had been gathered to have another new recruit unveiled.

During a ring around newsdesks only a guarded comment from club secretary, Peter Robinson, to those who said they would pick up wire copy and photos that they may want to be there hinted at the gravity of matters.

Even then the opening statement by chairman Noel White rocked even seasoned hackss to the core.

His words were quickly relayed across Merseyside, the rest of the country and then the world. The impact was so big it could be likened to the day Bill Shankly retired in 1974.

There was a refusal to believe it from most fans when told.

Not even having reached his 40th birthday there was still an expectation of a long and successful reign. Twenty years as a minimum. Ideally more. But what no one appreciated at that time nor for many years later is that when King Kenny walked out the door his crown may have stayed in place but the Reds effectively lost their place at football’s top table.

Questions as to why Anfield has continued to wait since 1990 for a 19th league title have been posed almost since the trophy was not retained a few months after Dalglish's departure.

All roads lead back to that fateful day 20 years ago.

In terms of league position it’s irrefutable that a descent from the summit began when the Glaswegian left.

On the morning of his resignation the Reds were three points clear of Arsenal. Between that and the appointment of Graeme Souness in mid-April Ronnie Moran’s nine game tenure at the helm yielded just four wins and as many defeats.

Three of those reverses were suffered in the first trio of games under the caretaker and a 4-0 hammering of Crystal Palace on the same day as that short reign began allowed Arsenal to go top on goal difference. They beat Liverpool at Anfield to stretch further away and extended their advantage by maintaining that run as the defending champions floundered.

Liverpool enjoyed three wins while Arsenal could only gain a couple of stalemates, and, though a 7-1 rout at Derby County got the Reds back on top after the Gunners could only muster a goalless draw at Norwich the Easter period proved pivotal.

Defeat by a Les Ferdinand inspired Queens Park Rangers at Anfield and then Southampton finding the only goal of the game down at The Dell gave Arsenal a vital edge. A home draw with Coventry City yielded the ground made up.

Even after a topsy-turvy 5-4 win at Elland Road - Liverpool led 4-0 into the final quarter - Arsenal held a five point advantage and with George Graham’s side back in a confident stride there was little prospect of the lead being hauled back.

The penultimate game ended mathematical hopes. The champions had abdicated and their successors kicking off later in the day before the TV cameras celebrated with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Highbury. When the 38th and final fixture was played the gap had grown to seven points.

Souness, a former club captain, had an outstanding record during his five years with Rangers having not only arrested a slump at Ibrox but concluded his first term at the helm by ending a championship famine. He had since claimed a couple more and The Gers were well on their way to another triumph.

The sole battle of note Souness lost in Scotland was with St. Johnstone tea-lady Aggie Moffat over the state of the away dressing room at McDiramid Park after a Rangers visit.

They had already claimed the last of four Scottish League Cups won by the manager who had lifted the Old Firm side out of the doldrums and whose friendship with the club’s majority shareholder, David Murray, plus a rumoured financial stake in the club suggested he would be unlikely to leave.

That was until the Liverpool job unexpectedly came up for grabs and was offered to him. It was possibly the only post which could have tempted him away.

There was every expectation of normal service being resumed at Anfield following the appointment and albeit with a penalty shoot out against Division Two Portsmouth at the semi-final stage, then a win against more second tier opposition at Wembley the FA Cup had been lifted at the end of his first full season.

However, that masked a poor league campaign. Leeds United had taken Arsenal’s mantel with the Reds trailing sixth.

Liverpool fans could only experience vicarious joy with a defeat of runners-up Manchester United ensuring Old Trafford remained waiting for title glory under a manager who had bought time by winning a cup but couldn‘t quite seem to get things right in the league.

The title had not been absent from the Anfield trophy cabinet for more than two seasons since the early 1970s and despite a low finish Liverpool were expected to be would be challengers for the inaugural Premiership campaign.

Aside from the cup win there was no small measure of controversy about the Souness era’s beginnings.

His dealings with a newspaper reviled on Merseyside lowered his esteem for many and as had been the case north of the border there was plenty of discord between the man at the helm and his players.

Some who had been the bedrock of the championship winning sides of the late 1980s were deemed past their prime and sold. Others came close to leaving at various times over the immediate future. Fees were agreed with clubs and in at least one instance personal terms had also been established. Only a last minute change of heart by the long serving player in question scuppered a deal.

Since the 1960s Liverpool had slotted players into their system. It restricted the amount of major surgery required to teams and kept things ticking over nicely as well as maintaining a dynasty of supremacy which endured. Shankly was forced to take an axe rather than a scalpel to his squad on one occasion which contributed to seven trophyless campaigns.

It was a harsh lesson but far from being maintained under someone who prospered under the tradition it was scrapped. Souness decided that different times called for different methods and highly influenced by his time in Italy the new brush decided to sweep clean establishing a more continental approach to fitness and regimes away from the pitch or training. He maintained professional athletes could no longer thrive in the culture he had played in.

Though the lieutenants trusted since the ‘Bootroom Tradition’ was established remained the institution itself withered. The most symbolic feature - the actual Bootroom - demolished to improve facilities for members of the press.

Though planned by the directors before Souness took over many felt an aloof nature to the wise counsel that would have gathered in there and desire to make his own decisions was a weakness rather than strength.

Despite the talent still available following the cull too much mediocrity signed for inflated fees and players who saw pulling on a Liverpool jersey plus banking the cheque which came with it were signed.

There were only one or two success stories.

Silverware wasn’t the measure this new breed of professional gauged success against. It came down to more material matters as a game which was doing well for itself in any case prospered further due to a commercial independence from the traditional authorities of the Football League - which shared its pie 92 ways even if that was in very unequal slices - but also the Football Association which distributed amounts down to the grassroots.

A change was not only clamoured for by a growing number it was required but David Moores couldn’t bring himself to act standing by the manager until results descended so low that Souness’s position became untenable.

The decline was hastened by Manchester United’s ascendancy who suffered only a year’s delay on their quarter of a century wait for that seemingly elusive title. By luck and some degree of business acumen the Old Trafford club found itself with a model of operation suited the new order while in some regards the Liverpool Way stood in the Reds’ way of halting a very obvious not to say alarming decline.

At that time only three years had passed since Liverpool ended the season top dogs but events meant that spell as a sleeping giant may as well have been doubled if not trebled as the club, playing squad and the increasing profitability Premiership football brought were not fully capitalised on.

League placings were so low that European football a staple of Anfield diets from the mid-1960s until the ban which followed Heysel were missed out on. The 1993-94 season during which Souness resigned was a strictly domestic one.

Roy Evans attempting to fight back from a severely retrenched position though backed with funds which would have turned many of his peers green didn’t have sufficient to bridge the gap quickly enough. There was one opportunity to land the top prize in 1996-97 season which even then was taking on the lustre of a holy grail.

Liverpool led at New Year but were reeled back by a Manchester United side who not only believed they were on a roll but knew they had the experience of closing out a season from that point.

There were still lingering hopes in the first flushes of April but a vital home game against Coventry was lost in the closing minutes which gave Manchester United who surprisingly lost to Derby County a reprieve.

It could have all been so different but the next home match - against the Red Devils - also ended in defeat.

Going top may have seen Liverpool gain confidence about staying there which could have helped find the win against their challengers. Any tenuous hopes which remained buoyed by a win in the final home game against Spurs were finally killed off on the road by defeat to Wimbledon. A 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday capped it all as Liverpool finished fourth in what seemed a two horsed race due to the slump.

Evans too eventually paid with his job initially with the always ill-fated joint managerial endeavour with Gerard Houllier. By that time the best part of a decade had passed.

Boards tend to lurch from one extreme to the next in a quest to find the right man.

The autocratic Souness was replaced by the more avuncular Evans. In turn he was deemed too player friendly and not the man to control young professionals under his charge who if not already millionaires were likely to achieve that status soon.

Alex Ferguson’s famed hairdryer treatment kept his players the right side of the line. Houllier whose reputation as a technically minded coach came as a result of leading Paris St Germain to a title and being technical director of the 1998 French World Cup winning side marked another huge departure.

He had dropped mercurial and popular David Ginola from the national side when manager after an error stopped France reaching the World Cup finals in 1994 and wielded the axe at PSG and RC Lens.

Other than a spell spent watching Liverpool during the 1969-70 season while on a placement at a city comprehensive school during his degree course he was an outsider to the club. The first appointed since Bill Shankly arrived.

Liverpool followed a treble cup winning season with a sustained charge for the Premiership crown in 2001-02. They only denied by the excellence of Arsenal. The points tally of 80 was relatively low for a title win but had been enough on many occasions during the 1990s. A whisker away from reaching the Champions League semi-finals there seemed grounds for optimism and the achievement was made in spite of the manager being admitted to hospital for heart surgery in October and spending almost half the season away from the dugout.

After a dozen matches unbeaten and a run featuring nine wins in the season which followed it seemed the Houllier era may reach its zenith. The 13th game - a defeat at Middlesbrough - proved if not the nadir then certainly its start.

Another three points could not be found for nine weeks. This type of run had not been seen since Liverpool were relegated from the top flight in the early 1950s and encompassed 11 games. With 33 points up for grabs the field pulled away while the Reds limped along.

Signings made the previous summer amidst a fanfare which seemed justified in one particular case by the 2002 World Cup not only failed to deliver they looked less than ordinary. And the football on show was not just occasionally but regularly dire.

Due to limitations behind the top three - Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle - there was still a chance of Champions League qualification in the final league game but defeat at Stamford Bridge in a head to head for a seat on the gravy train yielded only a place in the UEFA Cup.

That competition may have proved a useful springboard three years previously but the landscape and expectation was totally different now. It took another lurch when it became clear Chelsea‘s win not only saved them from certain administration but was the factor which brought Roman Abramovich‘s riches to Stamford Bridge and skewed the balance of spending power.

A year later stumbling into the fourth and final qualifying berth for the Champions League proved insufficient.

More players bought for significant amounts failed to make the impact expected of them. Failings on the field and in the transfer market convinced even David Moores, who had stood stoically by every manager employed during his chairmanship always giving more time than was necessary, it was time to pull the trigger.

In football all empires eventually crumble. Just how long a team spends in the doldrums depends in no small measure on outside factors but mostly on decisions made and reactions to them.

Kenny Dalglish’s resignation came during a hard fought and ultimately unsuccessful FA Cup encounter with Everton. Liverpool were challenging for a 19th title at the time and had all but seen a useful lead disappear.

Like statistics circumstances can be used to prove points or even hide a number of sins.

One undeniable statement is that Kenny Dalglish had roughly the same amount of time at the helm as Rafael Benitez had enjoyed as manager of Liverpool as the 2008-09 campaign fizzled towards a gripping yet ultimately unsuccessful climax.

The club was still trying to catch up for some errors made two decades ago which were compounded by a lack of decision in the 1990s as others took advantage of the new era.

There were some more contemporary mistakes. Selling the family silver to George Gillett and Tom Hicks was supposed to equip Liverpool in a Premier League arms race which had changed complexion due Chelsea's quickly found wealth and that accumulated by Manchester United over more than a decade and a half prior to the Glazer family taking root at Old Trafford.

Getting back to the point where Liverpool are regarded as genuine hopefuls was a hard slog and one more about being competitive enough to provide a title challenge worthy of the name.

For varyaing reasons Roy Evans, Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez made noises but their best efforts were isolated high points.

Each had teams which appeared useful works in progress but which for various reasons never reached the status of finished article. Consequently matters regressed on all fronts. The Reds' championship charges have proved an exception rather than an expectation.

Even if the game and Liverpool Football Club are different to their early 1990s contemporaries Kenny Dalglish has so far suggested he has no problem rehabilitating to life as a top flight manager over ten years since he last held the reigns at that level.

Though categorised as a man from a old era who perhaps wouldn't respond let alone contrast favourably in the modern era Dalglish has done more than bring matters back to a very basic level that sufficed during his first stint at the helm. Nor does he just survive on the vapours of sentiment plus good wishes.

He may not have been in a managerial hotseat for some time but his instinct and ability to analyse a game not to mention players has not waned over his time away.

Vitally Kenny has continued to watch football and maintain an involvement rather than turn his back on the game.

An unsurpassed knowledge of the reserve and increasingly impressive youth ranks is another powerful tool in his armoury. Pass and move is still as effective as it was almost half a century ago. Goals - including key ones - have come from crafting moves from defencsive positions. Attacking with options to the man in possession continues to demonstrate its potency.

But these old fashioned values are mixed with very modern views on tactics and systems.

That in itself may suggest Dalglish's 'second coming' will last longer than the May deadline previously set.

No matter how long this reign lasts it may not bring another league title. Progress to that goal is expected to remain slow but built on firm foundations that will allow any success acheived to be lasting rather than fleeting.

As both a player and manager in his first reign Dalglish profited from that diligent approach. It seems fitting that he should be given the chance to at least begin rebuilding work.

Managing the unmanageable club

2011-01-08T00:56:00.002Z

Just to keep things ticking over if nothing else a few articles from the archives will appear on the blog from time to time. They may have a resonance to current day events. Often they will not.

This was published in November 2009

It seems somewhat inevitable that in most Liverpool debates all roads are leading back to Kenny Dalglish. When he left Anfield citing the stress his job was causing the club was labelled unmanageable.

That same description has been applied to other clubs. Most notably Newcastle. Kenny left St James Park after just 20 months despite coming as close as any of his predecessors to ending a trophy drought lasting almost half a century.

All but one of Dalglish’s successors - Roy Evans - has fallen foul of health problems during their stints in charge with two victims of heart complaints.

Though not the last of The Bootroom benchmark by which all who hold the manager’s post are measured he was certainly the last to be considered successful.

One thing the man widely acclaimed the best player to pull on a red shirt never achieved in the hotseat courtesy of UEFA’s ban on Football League clubs covering his entire spell at the helm was lifting the European Cup.

Though the number of trophies collected under Gerard Houllier’s reign may well be larger in number at six some of the four Rafael Benitez has won along with Champions League finals and semi-finals are the better gauge of progress and performance against the club’s peers.

People looking at Liverpool’s season as far as January tended to deem The Reds either lucky to be top for as long as they were or criticised for not having a better stranglehold over the field.

It is a stark contrast to Sir Alex Ferguson who even with things not going too well was expected to ensure his charges come good. The Old Trafford manager’s record means he and his sides are rarely written off.

Opinions and headlines remain just as negative with most of Wednesday’s back pages hosting at least one disapproving note carrying the baton handed to them from the weekend and Monday’s reports. Matters ballooned quickly as rumours about Rafa’s grip on his post being so tenuous that he could be looking for a new post either as early as tomorrow morning or at least following the trip to Middlesbrough seem to have swept around. Punters placing bets on both those eventualities forced two bookmakers to suspend trade on those particular flutters.

All on the day of a huge match it provided grist to the mill of countless hacks who rather than produce competent or necessarily cogent analysis prefer lazy judgments and stories designed to suggest one paper knows something its rivals do not. Unfortunately so many journalists even the usually good ones are happy to do little more than scratch at the surface and as a result fall short of fully serving their readers.

Take as an example a comment that Rafa would as he had told reporters over a number of days only talk about football in the build up to the Manchester City game. His stated desire to only concentrate on football as the columnists begged him to do just weeks earlier rather than get in a war of words with his board or a fellow manager was painted as a refusal to confirm, deny or quell speculation.

Good timing for all the media with Real Madrid the team many believe Benitez sees himself as destined to manage coming just 72 hours after the game.

The contract and others need to be sorted but is in the middle for drafting. Versions are likely to have been sent across The Atlantic Ocean and back a number of times. There may be provisions relating to any possible sale by the owners but the sticking points could just as easily be based more on linguistic and legal meanings than principles

Terms and conditions need not only be agreeable to all parties. They need to be enforceable.

Coverage is taking this course due to the time limits reporters had indicated expiring and online communities - far more immediate than a daily letters page - waste no time in poking a finger at just how much or more appropriately who little was known in the first place when the many confident predictions turn out to be exactly what they were in the first place - mere speculation.

Liverpool generate huge amounts of interest and for the benefit of future column inches be they in the immediate few days or slightly longer term things can be played out with endless speculation from a host of sources.

Then there the forums and message boards which provide not only a reaction but in some cases another story. They are also a measure publishers can not only count clicks by but price and sell precious advertising.

Up to 60 games a season for the most heavily supported clubs also do their bit.

When compared to Manchester United in almost every department of the field the Red Devils are superior or at worst level pegging when the generally accepted first choice options are put head to head.

However, when reserves below those first XIs are taken in to account resources in the human let alone financial sense are much deeper. Rio Ferdinand cost more than the entire backline Liverpool field no matter what the permutation. In fact the fee Leeds received in July 2002 is £5.36 million more than the estimated fee of all 11 defensive players who have made a single appearance for the club this term.

At the other end of the field Liverpool currently have one £20 million plus striker. United have three plus another attacking player who when he gets his inevitable if not imminent move to the Santiago Bernabeu will have a market value probably twice that sum if not more. Yet Liverpool outscored that same attack until early February and only trail the tally by three.

In midfield The Reds may have been fortunate to nurture a talent who making huge adjustments for the fistful of petrodollars Manchester City were prepared to offer for Kaka would need £50 million or more to draft in. Javier Mascherano cost just over a third of that basic estimate. United have more than treble that number of that worth in the same department.

The background climate and turmoil makes what Rafa Benitez has managed to do within the time he has had an even bigger achievement than may be obvious at first glance.

Owners nobody wants possess a club they never wanted for any altruistic reasons and which they now cannot afford.

An administrative war sees joint custodians at loggerheads with each other while they both fight an individual battle with the chief executive or manager respectively.

One particular owner may have made his peace with the manager and created an uneasy alliance. Even if they appear bedfellows that same person launched a number of lies and attacks post Athens when Rafa called to see the cards they were said to have been holding and found to be bluffing their hands. These incidents only ceased as part of a PR drive with fans.

Critics suggest Liverpool’s league position papered over the cracks for a long time this season.

Maybe they should consider that Rafa has not so much covered cracks as a huge number of chasms in the wall and somehow stopped the whole house from falling down around our ears.

Just like most of the road to Istanbul Liverpool have been punching above their weight for most of the campaign.

Being second now and finishing there or even third if Chelsea manage to get their act together but very close in terms of points to whoever leads the table would be an accurate reflection of the side’s true standing.

The knock-out blow administered to AC Milan may not have been delivered domestically yet but thanks to good guidance The Reds have worked their way up from prize fighter to genuine title contenders even if the shot does not come in 2008-09.

That other similarly impossible challenge for managers Newcastle have unwanted ownership, passionate fans who yearn to challenge but their heydays can largely only read about in history books.

There isn’t one Toon fan who wouldn’t want to swap places with Liverpool. Despite also holding a rich tradition and the advantage of Champions League revenue on top of other funds generated the Magpies now spend their seasons attempting to escape relegation dogfights not competing for major honours.

Unfortunately the fans have been complicit in their club lurching from crisis to crisis with protests and calls for the heads of various managers. The board appeased Sir John Hall’s ‘Geordie nation’ by obliging once the pressure got too much when the club needed stability.

Even Bobby Robson failed to escape the wrath and just as he was in the 1990s with England probably felt hounded out of a job.

The old regime threw in its hand allowing Mike Ashley to take charge once he had negotiated purchase of the Hall family’s holding and now few managers would take a job which should be amongst the most prestigious in the game.

Joe Kinnear has performed well but a manager without a top flight job in almost a decade and a post of any sort for four years would not have been the first choice for anything other than a fire-fighter rather than an appointment for the long term.

Rafael Benitez who has not only delivered progress season after season but secured trophies and has Liverpool on the cusp of being a genuine force in the league will be following that back and white patent in a time when there is no black and white just shades of grey.

Rafa is somehow managing the unmanageable club. If he was to leave for whatever reason the Reds’ ability to challenge would be set back. Those who may have called for it may feel like those Newcastle and England fans - only realise just what we had when he has gone.

Liverpool FC's unlikley heroes

2011-01-03T23:11:00.000Z

Four men who unwittingly played a huge role in Liverpool Football Club's history from 1893 onwards.

Herbie Arthur

Neither Anfield nor Goodison Park hosted the first Merseyside derby. That honour went to Bootle FC’s Hawthorne Road ground which staged the 1893 Liverpool Senior Cup final.

Strong sides would usually be fielded but Everton arranged a friendly with Dumbartonshire outfit Renton on the same day. Many reckoned the Blues, who had just finished third in the Football League, didn’t fancy risking their reputation so opted for a scratch XI while their first team took on the two-times Scottish Cup winners.

As befitted the antagonistic circumstances of the split which provided the city with two clubs events on the field were not without controversy. Liverpool triumphed courtesy of a Tom Wyllie strike though had a goal disallowed while Everton were denied a seemingly clear penalty in the final throws of the game.

Well before they had those calls waived away Everton had vehemently protested against a number of decisions by referee Herbie Arthur.

Winners medals minted by Bovril were the reward for each player. However, in order to ensure there would be no unrest the ceremonies were abandoned and the trophy only handed over at the beginning of the following season. Everton issued letters of complaint about the referee which the county FA rejected instead issuing the Goodison side with a warning about their conduct.

Jose Maria Garcia-Aranda

As those Everton players discovered arguing with an official is often pointless. They rarely change their minds. However, it didn’t take outraged Liverpool players crowding Spanish referee Jose Maria Garcia-Aranda to alter his apparent decision to give Roma a penalty when Markus Babbel clearly handled inside the area ten minutes from time in a UEFA Cup tie during February 2001.

The Reds held a 2-0 advantage from the opening leg in Italy. But with Michael Owen having missed a penalty and Urugyan Gianni Guigou curling the ball in from 25 yards were clinging to the aggregate lead.

Liverpool were under huge pressure with extra-time promising more of the same had the visitors not grabbed a third before the whistle. Even the Kop seemed to play no part in the subsequent signalling a corner. Senor Garcia-Arnanda later said he had never given a penalty. Liverpool defended the flag kick, clung to their advantage and went on to lift the trophy after a thrilling golden goal win over CD Alaves.

Les Massie

Scotsmen have played pivotal roles in Liverpool’s history but perhaps the most crucial, Bill Shankly, had a little help from an Aberdeen born forward under his charge. Though not one who turned out in a red shirt.

In late November 1959 less than a fortnight after Phil Taylor decided managing the club was an anxiety he could no longer sustain Liverpool travelled to Huddersfield Town. The game was decided by a single goal scored after Roger Hunt, covering at right-half while Dick White had a head wound stitched, failed to clear a cross. Les Massie was on hand to beat Bert Slater.

It was Shankly’s last game at the Terrier’s helm. Having already identified him as the prime target for the Anfield post Liverpool’s board saw fit to redouble their efforts. Shanks’ services were secured 72 hours later.

Don Revie

During the mid-1960s and early 1970s Don Revie guided possibly the most gifted but also sometimes niggling and brutal group of players any club had assembled. One match at Goodison Park had to be temporarily suspended when Everton skipper Derek Temple was laid out and a brawl threatened to ensue.

‘Dirty Leeds’ was a hackneyed but often appropriate epithet to carry. Yet at the same time Revie turned under performers into high achievers, talent spotted potential in the lower leagues and nurtured some exceptional youngsters.
He had taken a club close to bankruptcy and teetering on relegation to the third tier to one holding genuine hopes of winning the European Cup. His techniques were revolutionary. Though domestically Leeds won just two league titles, one League Cup and a sole FA Cup.

In Europe they lifted the Fairs Cup twice. But they could have achieved so much more had a belief that skill and flair would have been enough. Five times they finished runners-up in the title race and were beaten cup finalists on three occasions. Liverpool were principal, though far from sole, beneficiaries of that desire to win at all costs including an historic debut cup win in 1965.

Sweeping the dust away

2011-01-03T17:47:00.001Z

Anfield's knotted tendrils

2010-03-09T10:55:00.001Z

Any supporter deciding to review Monday evening’s match during the reruns LFCTV are obliged to provide will join those present at the DW Stadium in witnessing possibly the worst performance of what has been a poor season.

Comparisons are inevitably made with the same stage last term when Liverpool were bouncing not just the Premier League makeweights but the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid out of sight.

At that time Liverpool’s big guns, the world class stars, were virtually flawless and dragged the lesser lights.

Though it wasn’t just about the artisans amongst the so called journeymen.

The older more experienced players were assisting those of more tender years to grow up as professionals. But they were able to do so at a steady pace.

Now some are showing signs of wear and tear both physically and mentally after providing not just support to the headline acts but being required - for a number of reasons - to be a mainstay.

A very different Liverpool Football Club is currently on display and those big time players are pulling up just as short as the lesser stars, whipping boys and youngsters.

In a complete contrast to last term possibly dragging them down.

Without the same technical ability to rely on their struggle is intensified. Citing the departure of Xabi Alonso - as good a player as he is - doesn’t explain the malaise.

An unusually scathing Rafael Benitez offered post-match comments not even the official channels can spin - well not much.

All the hallmarks of teams he has produced since becoming a manager including squads of far worse quality of those currently at Anfield and elsewhere appear missing.

Apart from flashes a lack of playing discipline rather than behavioural standards seemed left somewhere on the Melwood training grounds. Just a few basics such seemingly relied on by a team desperate not to make an error and flagging when an early goal isn‘t found.

The problems within the club are many fold. Work in the long and short term will be need to be carried out to rectify them. Gathering the tendrils and taking a look identifies that many are entwined and will get worse as long as the public face - that displayed on the pitch is inevitably where the focus remains - unravels.

A business literally based on results leaves no other option but so long as it does other issues are, if not masked, then certainly pushed to the background.

Popping centenary balloons

2010-02-19T20:04:00.005Z

Old Trafford celebrates its centenary today. However, little of the dewy eyed nostalgia is focusing on the first game held at the stadium. Liverpool were the visitors and given that the Reds wrecked the house warming there seems every reason to suspect antipathy between the sides has some history.

Below is a match report from the game - not one gathered first hand via attendance.

19 February 1910                                 Division One

Manchester United 3                                       Liverpool 4
Turnbull                                                          Goddard (2)
Homer                                                            Stewart (2)
Wall

Manchester United and before their name change Newton Heath had never enjoyed the finest of venues. Their first home North Road and subsequent dwelling Bank Street located just a few hundred yards away had both suffered from terrible surfaces which no amount of tending could ever fix. They had been almost marsh like at times and at the latter venue there was also fumes from neighbouring factories to contend with.

In 1902 the club was facing bankruptcy. Their ground closed by bailiffs they were struggling to continue only getting through week to week through various fund raisers.

One of the many ideas was to charge fans to see 'Micheal The Bank Street Canary' sing but the bird in question could not sing. It and was in fact a goose which wasn't seen again following one Christmas during the 1890s.

Rescue came via another animal and a local brewing magnate John Davies who actually wanted to buy the club captain’s prized St Bernard dog for his daughter after it escaped from an event designed to boost club coffers but was instead induced to pump money into the club and ultimately purchase it which cleared their debts.

The club went through many changes - not just its name but also its playing colours which changed from yellow and green halves to red with white shorts.

There was a bigger modification to the club as Davies resolved to build a new stadium on a plot of land specifically bought for the purpose in the Trafford area outside Manchester.

It took time to acquire the land and to sort out proposals for the arena which aimed to accommodate 100,000 fans. The plans were revised when it became clear that the finances would not be in place. Renowned architect Archibald Leith was able to revise the plans with 60,000 spaces now accommodated for fans. Work ended at the end of 1909 though it took a few more months before it was considered ready.

Liverpool were to be the first guests at Old Trafford as the ground became known. Somewhere between 45,000 and 50,000 fans were said to have been recorded as present through the gates arriving in all manner of contraptions as well as foot.

Trams the more traditional method of transportation to football matches were unable to cope with the numbers and ground to a halt. 5,000 fans were said to have gained entry without paying due to the sheer numbers who forced themselves through turnstiles. Some also sneaked through unfinished features such as window fanlights and massed on the terraces.

The Sporting Chronicle described the venue as: "the most handsomest, the most spacious and the most remarkable arena I have ever seen. As a football ground it is unrivalled in the world, it is an honour to Manchester and the home of a team who can do wonders when they are so disposed." Most of the ground was uncovered so open to the elements with an admission price of six old pence.

The same journalist who waxed so lyrical about his surroundings possibly was most likely equally taken by the home side’s start as within 15 minutes the home side were 2-0 ahead. They also won the toss. Sandy Turnbull and Tom Homer securing an advantage which was held to the break. Turnbull found the net with a header after Dick Duckworth dropped a free-kick just 10 yards from goal.

Homer turned in a shot after Sam Hardy could only parry a Harold Halse shot. Everything seemed in place for the stadium to be inaugurated in just the right way for the home contingent as Liverpool could only muster sporadic attacks.

Little may have been achieved but the visitors kept their white shirts flowing towards the United goal in their honest efforts to get back into the game. They were frustrated by offside decisions after burst down each flanks were spoiled by players in the centre simply not holding their runs.

Charlie Roberts held the prolific Jack Parkinson in check for a long time but seemed to let his concentration lapse. Sam Blott suddenly found his hands were full and when a handful of forwards and half-backs combined in midfield Arthur Goddard pulled one back. It stayed 2-1 until the break.

Just after the players resumed their conflict but United held on to the slender lead which they actually increased with 20 minutes remaining during another good spell. George Wall managing to beat Hardy after he cut in from the left then shot low and hard in to the corner of goal.

Goddard restored some more pride soon after as Liverpool began to quickly reassert themselves. They were regularly outwitting as well as outpacing the United defence but there still seemed little prospect of the visitors so much as gaining a point as most expected United to get an instruction to see the game out.

James Ernest Mangnall who gained the job after his effective predecessors Harry Stafford and James West were found guilty of making illegal payments to players soon after joining the club’s takeover may well have given that direction but James Stewart levelled then with the home side shell shocked grabbed a winner.

Manchester United: Moger, Stacey, Hayes, Duckworth, Roberts, Blott, Meredith, Halse, Turnbull, Wall

Liverpool: Hardy, Chorlton, Rogers, Robinson, Harrop, Bradley, Goddard, Stewart, Parkinson, Orr, McDonald

Do you remember your first time?

2010-02-17T02:09:00.001Z

A 1-1 home draw against second tier opposition would not, indeed probably should not, live too long in the memory. But not for a then 12 year old boy quite literally on a pilgrimage to The Kop.

On 22 November 1983 Liverpool took on Fulham in a League Cup replay.

With a very different climate surrounding the game then it was the type of game parents were relaxed about allowing their young to cut some football teeth on.

At least so long as advice about going to close to the front was followed.

The crowd was a relatively meagre 15,783. Even The Kop, as was to be found in a very painful way involving the folly of not standing pitch side of a crush barrier at a league game some months later, was more sparse than usual.

As a spectacle the game was fairly scrappy but drinking in the atmosphere albeit muted, chanting and seeing the likes of Bruce Grobbelaar, Graeme Souness, Phil Neal, Ian Rush and especially Kenny Dalglish in the flesh outweighed any lack of flair.

Except for Dalglish netting from short distance memories of the game are few. In fact the goal mirrored events before us. The build up is lost to any effective recall except that the build up came down the Liverpool left - probably.

But that didn’t matter King Kenny had provided something any first match would be complete with - a goal from one of his sainted boots - and one witnessed without a Match of the Day camera intervening between the viewers eyes and the scene.

There was disappointment in a late penalty award and Kevin Lock equalising to take the tie to a third game at Craven Cottage which Liverpool won in extra-time.

More than anything else it’s the sights and sounds in and around the ground which still linger.

Outside the single most striking was The Kop. Approached from Oakfield Road and lit up like a beacon.

Closer in a steep bank was visible with bodies seeming to surge up the steps like ants.

Just before the ground came the smell of onions hit the nostrils. They would accompany hot-dogs and burgers on offer to anyone with a hunger for that type of food or perhaps a desire to run the gauntlet of a stomach bug - ask yourself where a man operating a small unit with a hotplate run on butane gas canisters (a) goes to the toilet and (b) how he washes his hands if he does so.

Golden goal ticket and programme sellers punctuated the air with calls to purchase their wares.

Once in the final few steps of my own journey were an impatient clamber before the scene which had greeted millions of fans or just over 90 years met my own eyes - the lush Anfield turf. Inside there were no men with rolled up copies of the Echo just piss running down the terraces as the excesses of pre-match refreshment made its inevitable way out of the body.

Compared to the Premiership era it may feel like football’s dark ages but in truth it was a golden age. There was something special about the old Kop terrace and those who stood there.

Even though it has been has been demolished for 16 years there remains a residual spirit of what Bill Shankly termed a twelfth man. Thousands of people thinking, acting and supporting as one mind and voice.

Reduced in its powers maybe but nonetheless but still backing its team and its manager.

Just What Does Arsene Know?

2010-02-10T08:05:00.001Z

Rafael Benitez is often said to be one of the most wilful managers in world football who will only ever operate under his own methods and never give so much as a nod to anything which deviates from those routines.

On Wednesday evening he comes up against a man every inch as obdurate - Arsene Wenger.

Though in general it is difficult to argue with Wenger’s record. Except for the past few seasons or so it stands against any of his peers but some questions are more than justified. The Frenchman's principles and some of the football his teams have produced since he joined Arsenal cannot be faulted.

However, a problem certainly lies in his stubbornness and refusal to think about compromise - not to mention a player policy only slightly more compassionate than the Deep Sleep Operatives from Logan’s Run.

Despite having a large war chest available he prefers not to use it even though his side cries out for real depth. Over a couple of transfer windows he kept the bankers happy and left his funds in place rather than invest while his side.

There were huge implications in the 2007-08 campaign when he had a five point lead at the Premier League’s summit. Reliance on a very small core squad when a team is about to enter one of the demanding parts of any season is a huge gamble.

There may not be so many games crammed into Christmas and New Year as once was the case. With under soil heating present across the majority of grounds pitches are rarely hard but at a time when the weather is at its coldest and the demands of mid-season greatest injuries are inevitable - especially when a side is active on nearly all fronts - well over a decade's experience in English football should have taught that lesson.

A season which promised so much for the Gunners was in effect laid bare on one single afternoon when Eduardo suffered an horrific leg break and when leading 2-1 Gael Clichy conceded a last minute penalty which gifted Birmingham a point but deprived Arsenal of not only two but their momentum - no small measure of impetus went courtesy of William Gallas’ post-match histrionics and a sit in protest not seen since the heydays of Neville Southall.

Wenger's unjustified comments regarding the tackle on the Croatian international certainly suggested he knew what his team had probably lost.

If his transfer activity in the summer just gone is anything to go by it seems that he will either not heed or denies the errors of last winter.

Arsenal who have been defeated by both likely suspects and unlikely candidates so far this term and last when they threw some very commanding leads away. Their struggles in many respects courtesy of that absolute rejection to invest.

A goalkeeper better than Manuel Almunia should have been brought in some time ago Soo too players who can not only dictate the pace of a game but control it. That weakness has been laid particularly bare over the past two weekends.

So too a willingness to make tackles - something no Liverpool player was hesitant to do against Everton and a similar battling performance will most probably reap its own rewards at Ashburton Grove on Wednesday. As stopping Arsenal playing their football has yet to receive any answer other than the Gunners to attempt more of the same.

Once they are caught up the pitch a weakness can be exploited. Starving them of the ball as another key for as good as they are with it Arsenal can often be apalling without it at their feet failing to track runs, anticipate movement and close people down.

That’s not to say Wenger does not have any form of tactical nouse nor player recruitment and retention policy - but it is one which will only bear long term dividends and possibly sustained success depending on factors should all those youngsters stay or just as importantly realise their promise.

In the meantime the entire project is threatened by events in the present and short term.

The football may be pretty but it seems the dressing room is anything but. Not only that where players suffering from a dip in form or confidence look around the Liverpool squad and see Steven Gerrard as their leader Arsenal have until recent times had William Gallas - a tantrum waiting to happen contrasted with the Reds’ beating heart and thankfully a player who is beginning to find his form again in recent games.

Gerrard's opposite number Cesc Febregas should be appreciated for the world class talent he is while still in his early 20s.

Beyond their skipper any player at Anfield, fitness allowing, sees Jamie Carragher, Javier Mascherano, Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres amongst others around them.

Many of those players have won the Champions League plus some of the game’s other highest honours and with not just clubs but their countries.

More than a couple have also skippered their respective nations and can be relied upon for advice by anyone struggling - those under similar crisis at Ashburton Grove are surrounded by peers at a similar stage and predicament to themselves. Some had their issues not to mention the contents of their stomachs and hearts laid bare before a worldwide press when Gallas decided to discuss his teammates with journalists from his own country.

Another consequence felt particularly hard by the Gunners is the absence of grit in midfield. Mathieu Flamini was moulded into a player as comfortable at scrapping as silky movement but was not only allowed to leave but to do so for nothing with his deal down to zero even when the player had given considerable notice that he may well exploit the rules to walk away for nothing through passage of team or if necessary buying out his contract.

The player offered an interview to a French football magazine on the specific basis they would ensure syndication in Italy, Germany as well as Spain and barely made a secret of his ultimate intentions.

Rafa Benitez has made errors in the market but moved them on quickly. Many of those who have expressed a desire to depart - whatever their reason - even with little on their contracts have been moved on for profit.

In truth while Liverpool could do with some of Arsenal’s attacking zing by contrast the Gunners who have succumb to very similar goals against Manchester United and Chelsea would benefit from some of the Reds’ recent returned strength down the spine. Without it Arsenal will remain justifably unfancied to end a five season trophy drought.

While Wenger’s contemporaries - Benitez included - have proved they can adopt a more pragmatic approach than the Arsenal boss regardless of form going into a game he does seem to hold a tendency to get things right against the other top sides. Despite a modest build ups to hosting Manchester United, Everton and others Liverpool have come out of these encounters on top and not for the first time.

In contrast to last season when they led the 'Big Four mini-league' Arsenal and Liverpool are fairing less well with just three points apiece.

Three more for either will not suggest Liverpool or Arsenal are anything other than contenders for the minor Champions League placings. In the former case it would serve as something of a grab on the coattails but a first win at the Gunners’ new home would be a crucial boost for the Reds - no doubt Arsene knows that.

Genial Harry escapes media rout

2010-01-23T00:14:00.003Z

At Anfield on Wednesday evening a team that cost somewhere in the region of £50 million more than their opponents looked - despite their vast richness of playing resources - very ordinary indeed.

They were beaten by a team minus what are said to be its few players of star quality. One led by a locally produced player who cost nothing and fists pumping ensured his team prevailed through little more than their spirit and no small measure of tenacity.

Their resolve mirrored the fervour of support shown outside the ground by fans greeting the team bus as it pulled towards the Shankly Gates. Then inside well before kick-off.

Tottenham have been the cause célèbre of those hoping that the Premier League's current order is broken up and despite leanings towards others such as Martin O'Neill perhaps their coverage after Wednesday evening continues to prove that. As a remaining focus remains largely on rights and wrongs of Jermain Defoe's disallowed goal.

It should without doubt have been the best chance Spurs have had to land a blow on one of the 'Big Four.'

As Redknapp himself confessed despite Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Yossi Benayoun being absent from a team which has been down on its luck there was no better opportunity.

However, as they have so often - most notably at Old Trafford last term when the referee was ironically Howard Webb - Spurs failed to produce.

The charges relating to the match at Anfield are not isolated ones. This is the same manager who in the first transfer window he had available as Tottenham boss brought a clutch of players his club had previously dispensed with back then allowed a number to leave just six months later.

One of those, Robbie Keane, was re-signed despite never appearing to be a natural fit with someone already had on the books Luka Modric. Not looking to bring Keane back would have saved money which would have proved useful right now at White Hart Lane where an extra body is needed in attack.

Keane and Modric are as he is now forced to confess by omission or playing one or the other out of position far too similar in styles.

Each are probably at their best when asked to link play - in other words operating between the lines of midfield and attack. They simply cannot be accommodated in the same XI and when they are the whole balance of a side is affected.

Turfing Keane out of the central position at least one member of the Redknapp family is on record as stating he should always occupy is the type of managerial decision Rafael Benitez received criticism for during Keane's time with Liverpool.

Though little is made of the issue now.

A simple reason for brick-bats being in short supply should be simply that the Irishman is not playing well. But that mere act may not have saved a previous manager a bashing.

Defoe and Peter Crouch were not particularly effective at Anfield but as the only front pairing that have anything like an understanding were obvious forward options against the Reds who fielded a team selected and primed to contain the little and large show.

If Keane had been given a start, and indeed as happened when he was introduced as a substitute, the restrictions he places on his own side would have made the job easier. His throwing on during the second half made no difference to Spurs at all.

The pace of attack Tottenham have shown when the Defoe/Crouch partnership has been used has helped them reach the place currently occupied but as proved by the match with Liverpool it is taken away by Keane who by his very role in the side slows things down.

A touch - although usually two or more - is taken before he looks to take a defender on or use the guile he has to beat them. Despite working to great effect with Dimitar Berbatov when paired with the Bulgarian it has failed to come off for him this season.

Keane's treatment by Liverpool is immaterial so any attempt to use it in mitigation fails.

There is it appears from Harry Redknapp an inability to get tactical issues and selections right in games where his teams needs to do more than just find a way through a defence by Aaron Lennon's pace.

Spurs have gone through players with the speed a teenage boy finishes a box of Kleenex.

Rotations when made due to the sheer number of professionals in the squad means that a team playing well is often changed merely to ensure certain individuals are given starts.

For example immediately after beating a decent Everton side late last year the starting XI is tinkered with and Spurs lost to Wolves.

Huge sums of money have been spent on youngsters such as Kyle Walker and John Bostock - all with huge promise - but who have simply been swallowed by the system at White Hart Lane. Some though not all of those in a similar situation to those names are currently out on loan to weaker clubs than the ones they joined from.

That could from another manager be considered as damaging to their fledging careers. Harry escapes censure.

Aside from this players have been publicly humiliated while journalists taking down the quotes laugh along though never question the man-management involved.

Others were purchased despite patchy injury records and have struggled to make regular appearances since.

Yet none of this seems to gain a mention in the newspapers while TV and radio broadcasters fawn over the job Redknapp has done since taking charge in North London.

There is of course never a shortage of pundits keen to remind anyone that he took over a side bottom of the table to the fringes of European football within little more than half a year and that now they stand on the cusp of that much coveted top four space.

No matter how much money has been spent Spurs through poor tactics and player selection are the side most likely to drop out of the battle to go fourth. There will most likely be no Champions League football down Bill Nicholson Way - not with this squad and possibly not with Redknapp in charge.

He is a good manager - little question about that - but has enjoyed the sort of luck the papers would certainly make a point of if it was experienced by one of their whipping boys.

His good press is down to a personable character and willingness to always provide quotes which sits well with the media. He may be genial but isn’t a genius.

Possible January targets - Victor Moses

2010-01-17T22:59:00.002Z

Brought to London from Nigeria as an 11 year old Victor Moses joined Crystal Palace after being spotted playing in South London park leagues.

Though quiet and far more unassuming than most of his contemporaries there was no doubting his natural talent and a number of decent goalscoring records in the junior ranks - 50 in one season as an under 14 - was further evidence of his ability.

So too his starring role in the 2005 Schools Cup final when he scored all the goals in a 5-0 win over a team from Grimsby in shirts as scarlet as their faces were left on the final whistle.

The Grimsby Evening Telegraph’s headline said it all: "Holy Moses - Wonder Player Parts Red Sea".

A first team debut with Palace came at 16 in November 2007 and after a brief hiatus he has remained a fixture in the Palace side.

Half a dozen goals in the current campaign his second full season and a string of rave reviews in each of the many scouting reports filed on him means the Eagles hold the hottest property in domestic football.

Eyed up by a clutch of Premiership and European clubs including Real Madrid the world and a bright future in the game is literally at the teenager’s feet.

Moses plays through the middle or wide on either flank. However, despite turning out mostly on the left over the past few months he is hugely effective in a central role including that of second striker.

Ryan Babel is a similar type of player though perhaps not the best measure as while the Dutchman has everything a top striker needs plus immense versatility he is seemingly nearing the end of his stay at Anfield.

By contrast Moses possibly because of trauma suffered back in his homeland where his parents were killed as a result of religious violence seems to have the drive to reach the top of his profession.

He will seemingly bust a gut to get there which along with his natural ability makes him a valuable asset and a sharp relief to Babel.

Neil Warnock is not Liverpool’s or indeed Rafa Benitez’s biggest fan after the denouement to the 2006-07 campaign but would not stand in the player’s way if he opted to continue his career on Merseyside.

He couldn’t in any case. Acute financial problems make a sale inevitable and club officials admit it is possibly imminent as agreements with more than one club are set to be sealed. The rest will be up to the player.

Liverpool have in the past missed out on young talent by allowing others to plunder deals which were more or less done as the person then in charge of negotiations dithered, switched off his mobile or fax. Most galling of all because he was receiving specialist coaching at Melwood.

The Reds are said to be amongst the keenest clubs negotiating with Simon Jordan.

Many deals mooted have been loan options with a permanent switch in the summer. However, this option is unlikely to smooth any wrinkles in negotiations unless there is a huge down payment which would at least settle Palace’s outstanding tax liabilities.

It could be the best for the player who would at least remain a regular part of one team’s first team picture rather than got lost in development ahead of being gradually unleashed on top flight backlines. Though he will not remain at Selhurst Park unless Moses goes back until June to Croydon having been bought by another club.

Though strong, full of pace, skilled and able to find the net he confounds experienced and hardened defenders through good technique. Almost certainly ready for a sterner test as he has been schooled in a manner hosts of promising youngsters from the nation’s top clubs have troden.

A player who would fit into any squad and not a bad shout for Liverpool in the short term given that there is a need for a strong and direct presence. Whether it is fair to that the burden of shadowing and replacing Fernando Torres when the Spaniard is out should rest on his shoulders like it has done on davis Ngog is another question.

Squaring vicious circles

2010-01-17T01:52:00.003Z

Few would have expected to have been comparing the final months of Gerard Houllier’s reign with that of his successor when Rafa Benitez was appointed - now given last season’s achievement but possibly at any point of the Spaniard’s tenure.

The Reds were going backwards under Houllier while at the same time Benitez had taken Valencia - a side without much recent pedigree and who so often threatened to succeed but never quite managed it - to domestic and European glory.

The latter achieved despite the might of Barcelona albeit that the Catalan club were in a rebuilding phase after decline under Joan Gaspart’s presidency and Real Madrid were in their first ‘Galatico‘ era.

In the circumstances Benitez seemed tailored made for the Anfield job.

Manchester United were already cash laden courtesy of their soon to end 15 year status as a Plc while Chelsea had attracted the attentions of a 36 year old Russian oligarch. Estimated to be worth £5.5 billion he had pumped money into both club infrastructure but also over £200 million into the playing staff. Recouping less than 10% of that in sales.

Arsenal were also happy to spend big money on exceptional talents - far more than many tend to remember now Arsene Wenger has a reputation for being frugal with his transfer kitty. They also had a heavy investment in youth which was brought to North London from all corners of the globe at significant cost.

Though without a benevolent owner and run in the same “old fashioned way” Liverpool were also organised - a low number of high value shares in private hands - the Gunners had a new stadium not just on the drawing board or an architect’s computer screen but actively being put into bricks and mortar. Set to earn millions of pounds a year more than their Highbury home could.

Liverpool who had planning permission for a new home had little more than a bog standard design of a bowled stadium. Somewhat out of the box though one which needed funding and one the Anfield board needed to attract substantial investment to if they were to do so and appointed companies to assess likely suitors.

Arsenal would receive money from the sale of their old home but borrowed heavily against the revenue a 60,000 stadium would generate but the £470 million cost was not easily garnered with tools going down soon after very early work commenced. A consortium of banks provided just more than half the means.

The remainder came through sponsorship, exclusive contractual agreements and lending through the bond market - which would take 25 years to repay. Instalments would be due at prescribed times. In return for this backing lenders received equity in the project.

Essentially placing the club in debt for hundreds of millions of pounds for more than a generation.

Then Liverpool chairman David Moores was open to selling his holding in order to ensure investment of the type he nor the club through its turnover just couldn’t foot.

However, apart from what often seemed nothing more than publicity stunts, politicians who had an eye on a general election in a country besotted with English football particularly Liverpool FC and would source the purchase price through other people’s money little seemed to move.

A fully underwritten £73 million cash bid from another board member was on the table but deemed derisory.
There was for whatever reason hope of billionaires not just plain millionaires riding in. Bottom pits of funding. Outside of financial circles and the world of venture capitalism few had considered or even heard the term leveraged buy out.

Over the five and a half years Rafael Benitez at been at Liverpool’s helm the game and other clubs including those who already had the jump on Liverpool has moved forward.

Some at an rapid pace due to the interest of not just industrialists but sovereign wealth funds.

At that same stage Gerard Houllier was placing his pot plants into a box and heading to Lyon Sheik Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan had possibly never heard of Manchester City. Dish-dashes had yet to enter the consciousness of those at Eastlands as a match day accessory.

Abu Dhabi’s hydrocarbon wealth makes the emirate and its ruling family one of the richest in the Middle East. Somewhere in the region of £500 million of that affluence has been ploughed into playing staff and £304.9 million converted from shareholder loan to equity.

The purchase of a further £89.6 million means City’s on paper debt is far too minimal to cause Michel Platini any worries about debt levels.

Just as it was in 2004 Liverpool are spluttering and the fans seem split about the man in charge, though not perhaps 50/50, between those who support the manager. Though they possibly look at the players when analysing reasons for the malaise want to get behind each and every man in a red shirt even the ones who could at best be described as below par.

Typically those of that persuasion will lay blame away from the coaches and though they may point a finger towards the pitch there’s no desire to rock the boat or even cause further problems by doing anything other than backing the team to the hilt.

There has been a tide against Rafa for longer than the past few months and those who had already turned against him prior to this current season may criticise the players for under-achieving but place most ills squarely at coach’s door.

This category also tend to not only shout louder but also ring the phone-ins and other fans forums - not all solely Liverpool Football Club related. Events in the FA Cup give them that extra oxygen as producers and editors scrabble to put them on air.

Those who are still behind the manager suffer but do so silently ignoring the various interactions available to them. So for some, the laziest in the media included, the dissenters appear to be the majority. However, even though their ranks have swelled in recent weeks anecdotal evidence still suggests they are not.

While debate focuses on the ownership, funding and future direction of the club events on the pitch can often seem secondary but with the club’s financial situation sorted in the short term, albeit via the equivalent of an elastoplast that are refinanced loans with huge demands for capital payment when renewed, attention inevitably moves from Gillett and Hicks to a man who has tended to feature in many off field dramas as well as the on field disappointments - Rafael Benitez.

For all the abusive e-mails, assurances about the manager’s tenure and possibility of further investment reports cannot go beyond quotes from sources close to proposed deals but the prodigious generation of column inches about the club can continue as the team struggles to claim points or progress in other arenas.

There is no shortage of opinion from writers, pundits and those who have previously served the club which means the manager especially can be kept in the crosshairs while pot shots of mud are aimed in his direction.

One of those courtesy of Charlie Nicholas on Sky’s Soccer Saturday who suggested to his colleague Phil Thompson that the side he presided over alongside Gerard Houllier was better than the one now assembled.

It makes comparisons that will keep coming inevitable.

On the surface appraisals of the Houllier and Benitez periods are fair. Take the team’s set up.

Despite attempts to introduce it there is little true width in the side and for some strange reason little movement plus less creativity despite a team brimming with ability in that department.

There are similarities other than what is said to be a one dimensional style. Results and form are as poor as the final knockings under the Frenchman. Confidence is at rock bottom and players who are much better than they look can sometimes barely keep possession at stages of the game. When it is retained even comfortably often they struggle to do much with it.

Some signings who promised much have failed to blossom.

However, under Houllier the players drafted in got progressively worse and never looked like improving. There was so little coming through the reserve ranks who with the exception of finishing top in 2000 trundled along in the Premiership Reserves North.

If that wasn’t bleak enough the playing style was not so much careful as bubble wrapped in fear.

When an advantage was found it would be nursed and the shop closed. There was an over-dependence on long balls to exploit Michael Owen’s pace but not a lot else. The Reds simply could go no further under his guidance.

The team reflected the manager perfectly who suffered from something bordering on paranoia during the final months of his stewardship. Be that people linked with his job and all manner of opinion being submitted from an important constituent of the Liverpool family ex-players.

Links with other managers are being made and courted by journalists who realise that no one touted as a successor will rule themselves out.

Despite of the paltry funds which would be at their disposal and bickering above their heads being mentioned in the same breath as the Anfield hotseat does their career prospects no harm at all.

For Martin O’Neill now read Jurgen Klinsmann and if some reports are to be believed Martin O’Neill again. Guus Hiddink and Jose Mourinho are also mentioned but the current Russia and Inter Milan managers are - well - nothing more than wild Guus chases. The former earns over £6 million in his current role and a further well remunerated role with Chelsea as a technical directory. No bad return for a 63 year old.

Mourinho may have enjoyed seeing his favourite emergency striker Robert Huth grab a late equaliser against the Reds but will not, according to sources close to the Portuguese, join any club in a state of financial volatility. Nor will he join one which stable or not has no money to fund his inevitably expensive tastes.

Unlike Benitez Houllier allowed it all to creep under his skin.

Does everything but reaction to those critiques from old boys ring true today?

A striking contrast its that Gerard Houllier’s sides were roughly playing to their level. The current side is not as good as it could be and capable of so much better.

Regardless of who left during the summer it should certainly have pretensions of a title challenge after the last campaign. Even if efforts are to be in vain that chance of claiming the trophy has to be on well into the spring.

The worst factor of the current situation is that players who are far better than their current showings and world class performers are retreating within themselves because they seem too scared to make an error.

It could even be ventured that they have no faith in the manager - but that is purely speculative as are claims that either the whole or certain portions of the dressing room have to coin that oft quoted phrase been lost. Reading between the lines suggestions revolve around the non-Spanish or those for whom Spanish is not the first language.

Frankly many performances including the one at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday belie the claim.

Rafa has a very different relationship with his players than most managers. In essence he may never have had the dressing room - just the respect rather than admiration of many members of his squad for his achievements. Steven Gerrard has openly spoke about the situation and that distance is purposeful.

He is perhaps as every manager should be not a friend but a man in charge who may have to drop them or let them know that their time at Anfield has come to an end. He rarely singles any specific individual for praise preferring to talk about the team as a whole and pour over what could have gone better. Even when he should be basking in victory.

Some whose names need not be repeated now are living on borrowed time, past reputation or could simply do with a change of scene. This includes those who have been acquired by Benitez for sizeable fees but there are buys Rafa has made who may not form the core of club but do show potential and have every chance of a successful career in L4. As for the quality of signings. They have certainly improved as time has gone on but regardless of the source of funds being borrowings the money available has increased.

The Reading result has seen many of those who considered themselves somewhere in the middle of the debate jump to one side but it’s only the knee-jerk reaction to the result rather than the manager’s tactics and decisions.

A positive result against Stoke would not have sated their ire but no blame can be heaped on Rafa or the players not putting the Potters away.

The simple fact is that a strong team not one that could be considered in any way weakened below an unacceptable point took to the field. They were set up correctly for the task of defending the inevitable bombardment as well as holding and attacking. If they had not more time would have been spent within a narrow midfield corridor.

Of course with one exception - goals scored - statistics do not decide games. Unfortunately Gerard Houllier based his after match press conferences around them when under pressure. They were straws he would clutch at but all too often they were the irrelevant ones.

Rafa has always tended to take a different tack analysing the play and whether his team held control of matters. The Opta sheets are rarely grasped.

These things happen to every club which has ever taken to a football field be that in a knock-out tournament or league and at any level.

Liverpool are creating opportunities in most games played and evidence gathered from eyes alone demonstrates that Rafa’s sides while often careful produce a better brand of football now than most sides have since he took charge.

Almost every analysis proves that the majority of opponents are heavily beaten in key areas but it’s the inability to put the chances this creates away which is costing dear.

However, there is no escaping that at times some unconfident and lifeless football is being played and though a plan B is surely suggested like so many teams when the A game is frustrated Liverpool can play under a huge amount of fear and look to pick off chances where they can rather than rip at the jugular.

The manager’s style is essentially cautious but only in the respect that regardless of the phase of play he would prefer to have his team acting as one. If the opposition has the ball everyone in their own way will defend - from front to back. If the ball is forward the team should line up in support ready to win the second and third balls if the first is lost.

Last season when confidence was high this produced the type of performances witnessed against Derby County, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Real Madrid and others. This term the displays against Hull City, Manchester United again and Everton have been exceptions rather than something approaching the rule.

All too often in recent times this had only led to the creation pretty patterns of play and slick movement until the vital point when someone is expected to pull the trigger. When that killer touch or cutting edge is missing. In many games it has all looked so fruitless.

For a number of weeks when a goal has been scored the Reds have done everything but add to it - be that before or after the net is found. At one stage that would have been enough to achieve the minimum required for a win but the normally solid backline has had its wobbles and that unusual vulnerability has cost dear.

Liverpool have often had more than enough chances to win handsomely but a failure to exploit them has yielded many of the 28 points so far dropped.

With those in the bank the Reds would still not be muscling for pole position but in a league no other team seems keen to win would have a chance. They would certainly be as handily placed as any of the other challengers.

However, there are clearly problems at the club and within the dressing room.

As previously stated the exact cause remains a matter of conjecture - often depending where you stand on the manager’s future - but if players do not seem bothered and enjoy a joke immediately after a poor result, no longer believe in the manager or his methods well that will only usually end one way - a new man taking over.

That is part of the situation which did for Houllier

Claims that the current ownership situation and the fact that the fans have marshalled against the rule of Gillett and Hicks also has its comparison. The rows, emails and sidling up to Klinsmann were thought to have made Rafa fire proof. In the same way that Houllier’s heart surgery in late 2001 and then subsequent return five months later on the night a 2-0 win over Roma secured progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time. But that highly charged evening along with the treble cup win the previous season proved to be the pinnacle of his six year stay as despite going a dozen games without defeat from the start of the next season that was followed by a sequence of 11 more league matches during which a win could not be bought. The situation went down hill from there on in.

A worry is that if Rafa is dismissed then Liverpool fall back and set the same standards which saw Manchester United spiral away for years until a decade or so down the line somebody suggested they should show a little patience in the man charged with guiding the club. Just as they did at Everton who despite dipping after the high of Champions League qualification showed a little restraint in keeping David Moyes even when league form faltered and their European adventure ended in humiliation.

Whether he lifts the only piece of silverware now available or fails to qualify for the Champions League it’s not the end for Rafa but these days could certainly mark its beginnings if things don’t start to look up.
That was certainly the case for Houllier who didn’t have the boardroom unrest or fans drawing battle lines over the club’s soul to contend with only a focus that included on field matters.

Rafa quite rightly can point to his exploits in Europe which rivals every Liverpool manager but Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan who reached three and two European Cup finals respectively and in successive seasons. Two in three years and one win represents a better record than any current manager other than Carlo Ancelotti.

Considering no side has ever defended the trophy in the Champions League era it’s more than just the knock-out cup often portrayed and at the business end Europe’s elite are usually waiting. Each trying to land a knock-out blow on their fellow behemoths.

Reaching the final two years out of three is not the same as guiding your charges to a similar number of League Cups in as many terms.

Has Rafa taken the club as far as he can? Almost certainly not rather than probably not. Nor has he created the same type of side he had at Valencia. Though he has tried due to financial constraints and the time to hand in which matters need to be melded together the job is still in hand.

He deserves more time as well as an adequate amount of financial backing but seems likely to be left short on at least one if not both of these commodities.

At stages it has seemed things were progressing well but now the side is struggling for confidence as well as results. It makes a review of his position inevitable regardless of who owns the club and whether the fans become as vocal in opposition as they are and have been in his defence. That will only happen come May rather than on Monday or even Thursday morning.

However, hands are tied when an overwhelming debt generated by owners who sought to milk a cash cow they never believed would fail to produce the cream. At least until a global downturn stunted the borrowing and loan markets they had previously exploited to great effect.

That economic climate means those same owners who have remained unable to move the club or its plans forward virtually since the day they have arrived need to see the comparatively little commercial revenue, substantial broadcast rights money and cash from player sales service the interest they have placed squarely on the clubs shoulders.

It should be added that significant sums of money have been raised from players who, like the club in general, Rafael Benitez has more often than not made better than when they arrived.

Until these particularly thorny issues can be ironed out some rather vicious circles cannot be squared and Liverpool will be left continually hoping that someone can help them punch above their collective weight.

Trading up has been the only way to move on

2010-01-10T21:15:00.003Z

It was not without good reason that the Daily Mirror has lomng been referred to as the Daily Manc by Liverpool fans.

The tabloid and seeming most other titles plus broadcasters had what seemed an unhealthy pre-occupation with all Old Trafford.

The 1980s particularly was littered with stories which flattered to deceive about the Red Devils.

Any time spent at the pinnacle of Division One no matter how slim or wide the advantage enjoyed was joyously predicted as certain to break a title drought that had afflicted the club since the late 1960s.

The odd FA Cup win was greeted with the pomp and ceremony no number of League and European triumphs ever received from local and national TV.

It is perhaps the role of local stations to dwell on silverware brought to their region but in the North West - ‘Granadaland’ as it became known - there was live footage from open top buses chuntering along Salford avenues and alleyways affecting the scheduled programming on a Sunday afternoon.

There would be no such changes to the listings when Liverpool brought no small measure of bling to the streets.

People complained when coverage of Nelson Mandela's release from prison was shown instead of The Antiques Roadshow. Had the anti-aparthied campaigner been released on the same day as a United cup homecoming there is no doubt which would have been opted for.

Live TV coverage of matches which was far more sporadic than viewers are used to now would invariably centre around the more popular clubs. Therefore Liverpool and United amongst very few others would regularly feature.

However, man of the match awards were usually the theifdom of one side and when fit enough to play - no matter what his contribution - Bryan Robson would scoop the accolade.

Despite many false dawns and predictions of 'Gold Trafford' future being scotched well before the business end of a campaign the trend continued.

As Liverpool were more often that not the team to profit when the trophies were handed out. There was a long and heart last laugh.

In modern times Reds may be observing from a glasshouse in terms of championship success so the laughs are hollow as the media love or possibly fear continues.

In contrast been little succour for Rafael Benitez from many journalists. There are of course those who know the manager and respect his methods writing across various titles. Some are Liverpool fans - though not exclusively. In any case they are a small if select group.

There is no small measure of irony in that one paper - that aforementioned Mirror in its weekend and Sunday editions - has carried pieces dealing with Liverpool and Manchester United which raised similar issues but treated them very differently. Albeit it one was wholly opinion based and the other tagged as exclusive news.

Only a few days ago Martin Lipton used Birmingham City’s rejected £8 million bid for Ryan Babel plus the then imminent departures of Andriy Voronin and Andrea Dossena as a convenient reason to write an article slating transfer policy since Rafael Benitez took charge.

Lipton included players acquired if not sold before the Spaniard joined the club which he placed in his musings and calculations. His piece also lacked further matters of qualification such as profits which have been brought in - including those on Voronin and Degen if the latter is allowed to leave as the duo were signed on frees.

The rapid departure of some players was also raised.

It was suggested this was covered by the odd success actively used by the manager as a fig leaf to cover embarrassment.

However, the received wisdom that everyone could recognise the talent the likes of Fernando Torres possesses is untrue.

Alex Ferguson was one of many who took a long hard look at the player but decided not to follow up his interest. Doubts about his finishing and ability to adapt to English surroundings were amongst the issues raised.

Sunday’s paper suggests the United manager is attempting to get shut of Dimitar Berbatov as well as Anderson, Nani and Zoran Tosic.

Another likely departure is that of Nemanja Vidic described as unsettled but who as many know is able to take his pick of clubs in the summer and will most likely head to La Liga - though not necessarily to the club Sir Alex Ferguson stated he would not sell a virus to - when he inevitably does leave.

Yet there is no mention of the sums shelled out for these players. Nor the fact that absolutely none apart from Vidic will attract anything like a profit. In fact a loss of more than half their initial cost is the most likely outcome.

Nor is it raised that others signed for large amounts have not exactly provided lengthy or distinguished service nor reaped a decent yield when they have departed.

There has also been little analysis unlike in this piece - http://tinyurl.com/yfzjdr9 - which sets the record straight and provides the figures Lipton may have opted neither to research let alone include.

Of course it is written from a partial point of view but it is an opinion piece not reporting of actuality and unlike Lipton who has set out to write a piece and make the facts stretch to fit. There is in Paul Tomkins’s case an ability to detach from any liking for both the club and its manager. The research not to mention the figures bear his point out.

Doing no more than merely running an eye over some balance sheets demonstrates Liverpool's major signings plus almost everyone in the eight figure range are ones that have been a success on the playing side.

Plenty of success has been enjoyed below that mark but it is in this decidedly choppy lower end of the market and this area alone that the ratio only begins to slip.

Of those with large hopes placed against their name only Fernando Morientes who virtually everyone thought was perfectly designed for the English game and Ryan Babel who has an attitude that neither matches his talent nor does it any favours have ultimately disappointed.

However, so does the record of every manager. Sir Alex included.

Using the players Ferguson is rumoured to be ready to part with plus a selection of those he has already waved through the door makes for interesting reading.

Nani cost just shy of £17 million - a fee Rafa Benitez and by virtue Liverpool has only exceeded four times while Alex Ferguson has breached that ceiling on more than double that number of occasions.

One of those being in the recruitment of Anderson who apart from the odd cameo compares just as unfavourably as Ryan Babel.

So too Owen Hargreaves and Berbatov. But for Manchester City finding they suddenly had more money than Croesus the latter would have set a domestic record at the initial £30.75 million (excluding the value of Frasier Campbell’s loan) laid out as confirmed by Tottenham‘s published financial accounts.

Tosic is well below that point. £7 million is the down payment possibly rising to as high as £16 million depending on various clauses of the deal. Now he purportedly sees his career written off after just a year and five full appearances.

Hargreaves who was also not far shy of the £20 million mark brought some badly needed solidity to the United midfield has played less than 40 times in almost three seasons - though Alberto Aquilani who as good as becomes a new player in 2010 is slammed as a poor signing due to his injury record.

Factor in to this David Bellion, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Tim Howard, Kleberson, Alan Smith and Diego Forlan. The Uruguayan may be something of a cult figure amongst the United number for making 'the Scousers cry' but he only damaged the Reds once and is generally regarded as someone who lost their way at Old Trafford.

Those names and again the list is far from exhaustive outnumber the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand but demonstrate the financial clout which has been at Sir Alex‘s disposal for almost a decade - Dwight York and Jaap Stam were bought in 1998 allowing the Old Trafford transfer record to jump by over 50% and exceed £10 million for the first time.

That mark was almost trebled just three summers on with the arrival of Juan Sebastian Veron and Ruud van Nistelrooy for £28.1 million and £19 million respectively.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and some other equally astute purchases seem like the exception rather than the rule when compared to some names. It is also notable that very few players are emerging from the junior ranks compared to the 1990s.

Ferdinand bought for £30 million in 2002 cost almost £7 million more than all those who turned out in Liverpool’s defence throughout the whole of last season.

Glen Johnson’s national rather than actual value alters that situation but perhaps also demonstrates a key financial strategy Rafael Benitez has needed to employ over the last four and a half years. Namely trading up.

A desire to move Jamie Carragher in to the centre rather than see someone regarded as a utility man serve across the rear necessitated the signature of a specialist right back.

Josemi was the first player the manager used in a first class game and indeed his first signing possibly a signal of the importance he placed in the role. After failing to settle he was replaced just 18 months on by Jan Kromkamp in a direct swap.

Neither made the greatest impact but the budget just wasn’t there. Though it did snap Steve Finnan into the form and consistency most fans had been begging for him to show.

Much needed competition for the Irish international came in the shape of Alvaro Arbeloa who started as a £2.64 million rival for the role but one capable of turning in exceptional perormances on the left until he graduated to become the first choice. Allowing the opportunity for Finnan to make a deadline day exit in August 2008.

A lack of real width and consistency from those supposed to provide it made the full-back positions but especially that particular flank vital.

One of the hallmarks Rafa has historically puts on his sides has been attacking and defending as one unit down the flanks. Though there was a will to overlap and play a full part in forward moves as part of a fluid wing which would snap back and forth as required neither Arbeloa or Finnan seemed overly comfortable bombing on. A requirement given that the wingers or at least notional wide players Liverpool did have were essentially players more comfortable inside.

At the same time there was no money available to recruit a top class winger meaning Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena - who Rafa this week admitted he signed as offensive full-backs as they were cheaper alternatives - were brought in to add greater weight.

Injury, tactical demands and acclimatisation issues have mitigated against these gambles working but only at the cost of salaries.

There was fortune in that the finest attacking full-back in the country and one far better at defending than the received wisdom would have many believe belonged to a cash strapped club. Not only that one who were not only keen to rid a high earner from their books but also owed the Reds from Peter Crouch’s profitable transfer.

With a mutual desire on behalf of the club and player to link up the ideal right back was acquired.

It has been the same in other departments including attack.

A need to make ends meet until enough money could be generated to find the right player led to a genealogy of Milan Baros, Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes, Peter Crouch, Robbie Fowler’s second coming, Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt allowed the cycle to reach Torres.

Possible January targets - Emile Heskey

2010-01-07T00:30:00.000Z

When Emile Heskey left Liverpool in the summer of 2004 it was a move to both his and the club’s benefit. A player who had it all had simply lost his way at Anfield.

A record signing in March 2000 he had pace, power and stamina. Not to mention immense strength which gave him an ability to hold the ball. Allied to this was an intelligence to draw defenders out which meant he was able to dovetail perfectly with the then two deadliest strikers in domestic football - Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler.

He could also find the net and made an outstanding contribution to the treble cup win in 2000-01 then the next campaign when the Reds finished Premiership runners-up. A tantalising seven points adrift of champions Arsenal.

A couple of seasons later his confidence - such an important factor to most players’ games but crucial to Emile - had plummeted. So had his value. His initial fee of £11 million had more or less halved over four seasons as had his stock within the game.

January 2010 and 12 months after he was last linked to an Anfield return not only is Emile Heskey back in the England squad he is rumoured to be a prime target for two of the Premier League’s established top four clubs.

Chelsea are linked though probably a long shot. Even with Didier Drogba heading to Angola for the African Cup of Nations and likely to stay with his Ivory Coast side to the very end of tournament Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to have to live up to his promise of running around his training ground naked.

At least not on Heskey's behalf.

Drogba's flip-flops are far too big for the current Villa man to fill. The Ivorian does not only provide a presence upront and similar to Heskey bring the best out of others he is a genuine goal threat. When his head is on - one of the best in the world.

With Nicolas Anelka an automatic selection at Stamford Bridge there are other options. Though the suitability of Daniel Sturridge despite his two goals in the FA Cup is debatable.

Liverpool is a more realistic destination should Villa decide to recoup some of their investment. Though even this prospect seems remote.

Of the possible suitors for a Champions League place Villa are the outsiders. Lacking the financial clout of Manchester City and Tottenham plus the depth of these squads plus that Liverpool have while they back-pedal there is a tactical imperative for Martin O'Neill to keep hold of a man whose attributes help a team which relies on pace in counter attacks and doesn't hold the ball for long.

Heskey, who his fellow pros admire and recognise the contribution he makes, allows the pressure to be relieved better than anyone else on the Villa Park books.

Different to John Carew holds the ball and makes sure it sticks usually bringing in the right player when the time is right to release. Gabriel Agbonlahor will rifle upfield but is too unpredicatable to be the out ball.

However, like Wayne Rooney at international level Agbonlahor thrives on the type of service Emile provides.

Fabio Capello stuck with Heskey despite regular domestic starts being at a premium and broke his rule about minutes on the pitch being a crucial selection criterion simply because he increases Rooney's potency, allows him to have the license that has hurt opponents and paved a trouble free World Cup qualification.

Emile thrived under O’Neill during his time at Leicester. His prowess as a target man even revitalised the career of Tony Cottee and the Foxes without a final since 1969 won the League Cup twice in a few seasons.

Now the Irishman is making Heskey one of the first names on his teamsheet.

Emile never worked under Rafa who it is said would have retained his services if amongst the pool of players inherited from Gerard Houllier. That may be true but how long that association would have lasted is another matter.

At that stage the 26 year old needed an arm around his shoulder and reassurance about his contribution to the club plus the security of his first team place. Rafa would not have been that comforting figure and rotation would have been unbearable.

By leaving Anfield he could have had a future in L4. Now just weeks away from blowing 32 birthday candles out and with not just experience but having displayed he can ride the blows life throws at him Emile Heskey has probably shown he has the mental toughness to play for a club like Liverpool no matter if the side seems to be lurching between a challenge for honours or failing to meet its own standards.

But the tactical imperative facing O'Neill is not one his opposite number at Anfield necessarily faces.

Though Rafa has employed a 4-4-2 system this term most recently against Reading its results have not always been convincing meaning the five man midfield or a formation which is often summarised as a 4-2-3-1

No matter what the personnel employed in certain parts be that Alberto Aquilani, Lucas Leiva, Dirk Kuyt or possibly Maxi Rodriguez it allows Steven Gerratd to maraude through the middle with wide options left and right.

One man leads the line. When fit that has to be Torres who will find the net with the same grace and regularity that has hallmarked his time at Anfield.

If he should miss games due to the abdominal injury he has been carrying or the type of problems which can often recur in an explosive player namely hamstring and other strains there needs to be a more firepower in reserve.

Only one purchase or even a loan is likely in this department. Given the financial constraints there may well be none especially as there may be additional resources needed elsewhere.

Heskey remains one of the most shot shy forwards in the game holding up play and knocking balls on is simply not a priority.

A team that Shankly bred

2009-12-03T23:42:00.001Z

With one worthy exception a team constructed of players Bill Shankly either gave Football League debuts to or brought through the youth system during his tenure.

An interesting quirk is that the XI is almost exclusively made up of either local products and Scots. The latter category underpinning the manager’s belief in the junior system in his homeland.

1 Tommy Lawrence

Five years as understudy to Tommy Younger, Bert Slater and Jimmy Furnell proved an excellent learning curve for this young keeper. From making his debut in October 1962 he was the first choice for duty between the sticks until Ray Clemence's emergence in 1970. As many a good judge has said his great strength was doing the simple things well. That included shot stopping. A telling feature of his game which enabled the Reds to construct a resilient defence and a establish a solid base upon which the team as a whole could build.

Although born in Dailly, Ayrshire he was recruited as an amateur from his local non-league outfit Warrington Town after impressing manager Phil Taylor in a trial game during October 1957. Unless his heritage was known very few people would have been able to pick out the country he would eventually represent at international level as he spoke with a decidedly English accent after his family left Scotland for Cheshire when young Tommy was 11 years of age.

Taylor's successor as Reds boss Bill Shankly was born not too far away from Lawrence's hometown but there could be no question of geographical favouritism as despite good form in the reserve and 'A' teams it took Shanks just under three years to promote his junior keeper.

The consistency that had hall marked Liverpool custodians for a number of years was also present in the youngster who missed just three games over his first four seasons and, until Ray Clemence and his defence began to dominate attacks during the 1970s, Tommy and his backline set a league record for the fewest goals conceded over a 42 game campaign. At the close of the 1968-69 season Lawrence kept 21 clean sheets restricting the best top flight strikers to a mere 24 strikes.

An amazing statistic being that 14 of those came on The Reds' travels. Just three teams managed to score more than once against Liverpool and that record was only ever equalled then surpassed by Ray Clemence.
He became known as the sweeper keeper due to his willingness to back up his defenders when stretched and almost without fail would win the ball outside his area. Liverpool's flat playing style made this possible.

When in defence everyone on duty would remain committed to their roles but with the ball upfield a number pushed up to support the move. Lawrence was actually once quoted as saying that he's played some big matches as a virtual extra back. Good concentration even when virtually redundant for most of a game by the quality of his teammates was a key attribute in this ability. Tommy was also a courageous keeper more than willing to dive in at the feet of an attacker if it was the only way to thwart danger.

2 Chris Lawler

Joining the Reds from youth team football baby faced Chris Lawler advanced through the ranks making his senior debut two years after accepting professional terms. Although at home in a central role he was deployed as a right back and proved to be one of the most prolific defenders in the history of British football let alone that of Liverpool Football club. It is worth noting that his tally of 61 goals from 546 career games at Anfield was not supplemented by one penalty or a free-kick, merely his ability to come up from the back virtually unnoticed and get on the end of well crafted moves.

He became a first team regular in the mid 60's after half a dozen appearances in each of his first two seasons.

His emergence was instrumental in the eventual retirement of veteran Ronnie Moran. Lawler didn't lose his berth in the side until late November 1973 when injury cost him precious opportunities to challenge Phil Neal and others for a place. Prior to this he missed just three of the 336 league games he could have played in over the course of eight seasons. Though an irregular feature in the side Chris made the 1974 FA Cup final as a non-playing substitute.

The Silent Knight as he became known due to the quiet way in which he got on with his job and persona off the pitch made him a dream for any manager including former team-mate Ian St John at Portsmouth who enticed him to leave Merseyside in 1975.

3 Gerry Byrne

A talented youngster who despite making the Liverpool schoolboys squad was nothing more than a fringe player at Anfield for many years. He was initially rejected by the Reds so worked in a lead factory until he finally made the grade and signed for the club at 17. Ronnie Moran kept him out of the first team squad and was the club captain as well as first choice at left-back when Bill Shankly arrived at Anfield in December 1959.

By contrast Byrne was transfer listed. He had only been given the one chance and unfortunately that came in a 5-1 defeat at Charlton Athletic. To make matters worse Gerry had scored an own-goal. Shank's gave him a further opportunity towards the end of his first season at the helm. Although asked to turn out in an alien role - right back - he must have acquitted himself well as the 1960-61 saw him become not just a first team regular but establish himself as the first choice option. He played in every game in the promotion season of 1961-62.

After that time he became as firmly established a left back as he was in the hearts of the fans who decided the defender epitomised their own iron will, concrete spirit and love for Liverpool. The 1965 FA Cup Final showed his heroic qualities as he played almost the entire 120 minutes with not only a gashed shin but a broken collarbone. Many players would have been inhibited by this but not Gerry. With his arm tucked carefully beneath his jersey so as not to prove opponents Leeds with an inkling of the pain experienced he played a blinder staving off the threat of Johnny Giles and even sending in the cross which set up Liverpool's first goal.

An interesting point of debate is whether he would have been able to play this role had the incident happened just a year later. The 1964-65 season was the last before substitutes were allowed to be named. Given the importance of the match and the seriousness of the injury there seems little doubt that Shankly would have replaced Byrne. How that would have impacted on the game is another question. Gerry proved vital in the win and had he not played would the course of Liverpool's cup history also have changed?

A few days later a home game against Inter Milan in the European Cup semi-final first leg took place. Always looking for the psychological edge Shanks sent Byrne out, sling draped around his neck along with another injury victim Gordon Milne. The two paraded the FA Cup in front of The Kop. The noise level shoot through the roof and played no small part in Liverpool's infamous 3-1 win. The FA Cup final heroics proved to be no one off. A year later in a Cup Winners' Cup tie against Celtic Byrne dislocated an elbow. The club doctor twisted it back into position and he simply carried on.

Little wonder that Shanks described him as the toughest player he had ever seen.

He wasn't the fastest player in the world but was a good reader of the game which allowed him to send in well timed challenges and interceptions most players could never have dreamed of making. In the tackle he was certainly tough and exulted in the well earned nickname of ‘Gerry the Crunch‘.

At Melwood he was one of the most avid trainers most of the coaching staff had ever seen and such was his competitive nature that he was often taken out of 5 a-side games in order to ensure that his teammates didn‘t risk getting injured before forthcoming matches. Not that he was a dirty player. Far from it. He was only booked once during his Liverpool career and that was for querying a throw-in.

As the 1966-67 season kicked off Gerry had more reason than most to finally accept that the course of his football career had finally worked out all the bugs that had bedevilled it over his early years as a professional. He'd finished the previous season with a second championship medal. His third domestic honour in as many seasons and although he had not played in the final or any of the group matches during the World Cup finals he was a member of the England squad which managed to win the Jules Rimmet trophy. Despite the presence of Everton's left back Ray Cohen as first choice pick there seemed no reason to believe that he could not go on to make the berth his own very soon. But a cruciate ligament injury suffered during the first league game of the next season effectively ended those ambitions and started the countdown towards the end of his playing days. At home to Leicester City on a soft surface his studs managed to get caught in the turf badly twisting his knee.

He managed to get back into the starting XI for the return game at Filbert Street but made just eight more outings over the remaining four months of the campaign. Just five months had elapsed from Byrne suffering the injury until his next first team outing but while the problem could be easily corrected by surgery in the modern age four decades earlier medical science was nowhere near as advanced and the fact that he returned at all let alone played 26 games from the start of the 1967-68 term was another testament to the steely nature he personified.

Although just the other side of thirty he would still have had plenty to offer the team had his fitness permitted but his retirement in May 1969 was announced once the battle against constant pain got too much to wage. His final season with the Reds had been reduced to a last couple of appearances in the number three jersey plus a call up from the bench sandwiched between those two starts. Keen to make use of the assets Gerry displayed as a player Bill Shankly saw him as a perfect addition to his backroom staff but despite a briefly held coaching role he resisted the temptation to get actively involved with the game.

4 Phil Thompson

The Kirkby born defender's career at Anfield is the stuff dreams are made of. Phil lead the club he worshipped to glory both home and abroad as well as playing for then captaining his country. For Bill Shankly this story wasn't a possibility it was a reality which he confidently predicted. His Liverpool career began under Shanks in February 1971 when he made his debut as a late substitute in a 3-0 away win over Manchester United. He was in and out and the starting line up until Larry Lloyd left for Coventry City in 1974.

In his 12 seasons at the club Thommo won seven League titles, three European Cups, four League Cup winners medals plus one FA Cup and a UEFA Cup winners medal. His proudest moment was being made captain of Liverpool in 1979. A role in whish he lifted a host of major trophies. He skippered England and was a key member of Ron Greenwood’s squad for the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain where he played in all five matches.

The defensive partnership cultivated between Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson began to limit his first team opportunities and he was eventually transferred to Sheffield United in March 1985. Kenny Dalglish brought him back to Anfield a year later to become his reserve team coach. He guided the Reds' second string to a Central/Pontins League title during his six seasons in charge. Graeme Souness replaced him with Sammy Lee for the start of the 1992-93 season but he was recalled to the Anfield coaching staff to act as Gerard Houllier's assistant when Roy Evans relinquished his joint managerial role with the Frenchman.

5 Tommy Smith

Although the 1976-77 campaign was supposed to mark Tommy Smith's last season for Liverpool he decided to play on for another year and extend his association with the club to 17 seasons. He made his debut in May 1963 in a 5-1 home win over Birmingham City. Although he gave a good account of himself it was his only game of the season. He remained in the reserves for the next campaign and didn't get back into the first team picture until November 1964 in the first leg of the European Cup 1st round tie with Anderlecht.

Tommy started off as an inside right. Then moved to centre back before making the left back role his own. He went on to play 40 times in that first full season which ended with a FA Cup winners medal after the 2-1 victory over Leeds United in May 1965. All this at the tender age of 20. He never looked back and became a rock at the heart of Liverpool's defence for the next decade.

A medal haul of four league championships, two FA Cups, two UEFA Cups and two European Cups was no bad return. The most remarkable feature of his career was that he only made one international appearance - against Wales in 1971.

Tommy was Liverpool through and through. A total of 633 games for his boyhood favourites and the club he joined straight from school only tells half the story. He made a no less telling contribution in terms of his sheer presence and reputation. The Anfield Iron as he became known was a fearsome competitor and tough defender to beat. Even when not captaining the side he always led by example.

He came back into the Liverpool first team during the 1976-77 campaign as a result of Phil Thompson's injury. From there on in it was a fairy tale which included the vital second goal in the European Cup final. He may well have been selected in the side to play Bruges the following year had he not dropped an axe on his foot. Despite being offered another extension to his contract Smithy eventually left Anfield during the 1978 close season to join his former colleague John Toshack at Swansea City. Upon retiring he took up a post coaching the Welsh club's youth team and made a brief return to Anfield in a similar capacity.

6 Ian Ross

A childhood friend of Kenny Dalglish who saw his career take a different direction to his fellow Glaswegian. Possibly due to his versatility Ross was always a bit part player who despite playing just over 60 times including ten games as a substitute over six seasons could never manage to cement a place in the side. Filling in at various positions earned him respect from the management and many compliments from Bill Shankly who pitched him across the entire backline and in a number of forward positions. Judging by the roles he played on the pitch Shanks' assessment was that he could play at any level of the game in any country.
However, had he not made 20 appearances during the 1971-72 term in all competitions he could have left Anfield with a relatively paltry number of appearances. This highlighted just how haphazard his contribution was over the other campaigns.

He left to join Aston Villa at the end of that term but a season earlier had made possibly his most vital contribution to the Liverpool cause. He was seen as one of the most potent man markers in England and had been chosen by Bill Shankly to patrol some great names including the legendary Franz Beckenbauer - one of the most creative players in Europe.

Playing The Kaiser out of the game when the Reds met Bayern Munich away in the second leg of a quarter-final European Fairs Cup tie. The opener had finished goalless leaving the team with a tough task but Ross was exceptional and left Beckenbauer alone just once so he could nip in to score the only goal of the game to see Liverpool through to the last four.

7 Bobby Graham

A sensational Liverpool debut saw Motherwell born forward Bobby Graham earn the rare distinction of scoring a hat trick on his debut. He had joined the club as a youngster with no league experience in his native Scotland.

Injury to fellow Scot Gordon Wallace opened up a place in the side for the treble which was hit against Aston Villa at Anfield in September 1964 and kept him a virtual first choice for just over a month with seven appearances from the next eight games. Graham scored another in the second leg of Liverpool's first European Cup tie with KR Reykjavik of Iceland.

He featured irregularly over the remainder of the season but made just 10 more appearances including two as a substitute over the next three seasons. The 1968-69 campaign saw him come to the fore again. With Tony Hateley injured Bill Shankly was looking to find another partner for Roger Hunt but just three games into the campaign Bobby had to contend with the injury curse ensuring just a few more outings came his way. Hateley came back into the picture but was forced out by Alan Evans who by virtue of his form kept Graham out too. However, impressive displays over the last handful of games saw him return the subsequent term when despite featuring in a number of forward going roles and shirt numbers he was an ever present.

It seemed he could only go on from that position to finally establish himself but a new wave of strikers in the shape of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack came to the fore in the early part of the 1970s pushing him on to the sidelines once more. A move to Coventry City saw him attempt to relaunch his career having made over 100 appearances in a red shirt despite the ad hoc nature of his Liverpool days.

8 Roger Hunt

Before Fernando Torres. Before Owen and Fowler. Before Rush and Dalglish. Even before Keegan and Toshack there was Roger Hunt. Immediately before joining Liverpool in the late 50's he had earned rave reviews while appearing for The British Army. Even though the Reds were his first professional club his strengths and ability to crack it at the highest level were obvious. He was tremendously athletic, strong and held such a high level of stamina allowing him to cover ground with consummate ease over 90 minutes.

His goal scoring record was second to none. Even when compared to the greats of both his day and the years which have followed. The fact that it took almost 30 years for some of those achievements to be surpassed by a forward of Ian Rush’s calibre is proof of that. A debut goal in a home win over Scunthorpe United showed the shape of things to come. He netted a further 20 times during that first season and was virtually the first choice striker from then on spearheading the push for promotion and ultimately the quest to become England's best.

The opening goal of the 1965 Cup Final was one of the greatest moments of his club career and was Liverpool's first in the showpiece occasion.

The 245 league goals and 285 times he scored for Liverpool in total have only been surpassed by Rush. Away from the domestic game he earned the distinction of a World Cup Winners Medal with England in 1966. In recognition of his achievement The Kop christened him Sir Roger.

9 Alf Arrowsmith

The forward made just one appearance during the 1961-62 promotion season in one of the few games Liverpool lost and failed to score in. He had been signed from Ashton United at the beginning of the previous campaign and had to wait for a second chance which came late in the following season when Ian St John was forced out of the first Merseyside derby Anfield had hosted in nine seasons. Once more he failed to get on the scoresheet in this game along with the other two he was selected for.

However, the 1963-64 season saw him explode onto the scene when he deputised for Jimmy Melia for all but two of the final 20 games of the league season. 15 goals was some dividend and only bettered by Roger Hunt and St John who had missed just three games between them. He had been afforded an earlier opportunity due to another absence from St John early in the campaign and took just a minute to get himself off the mark as Wolves left Anfield on the end of a 6-0 thrashing.

With that sort of firepower it was no shock that Liverpool ended the season as Champions and the winners medal was just reward for many season's patient service from the Manchester born striker. However, despite further fitness setbacks for St John Bill Shankly decided to look at others only calling on Arrowsmith towards the end of the season and then for short periods of time.

He played in the final game of the 1964-65 league season as Shanks, knowing nothing more than a top seven finish could be achieved, decided to rest the majority of his Wembley side. Alf's only contribution to the FA Cup triumph was a single outing in the 5th Round of the competition. As Liverpool won a second title in three years Arrowsmith’s celebrations were somewhat muted as his contribution was limited to three starts and two introductions from the newly conceived substitutes bench.

The presence of St John and Hunt was enough to thwart the ambitions of the best strikers in the game and although clearly talented and with plenty to offer the striker decided he had to leave Anfield in order to show it. He joined Bury in 1968 for £25,000 and served a number of other North West based clubs before hanging up his boots in the early 1970s.

10 Gordon Wallace

An inside left recruited directly from junior football in Scotland but who ultimately and somewhat frustratingly given his talent failed to make the grade at Anfield. His first team debut came midway through the 1962-63 season but was only followed up by one more outing before the season's conclusion. Though Wallace did manage to notch his first of five goals for the Reds during that latter run.

His contribution to the following term when Liverpool won the league title was restricted to one game. Not long after he made the breakthrough Bill Shankly likened him to one of his former teammates at Preston North End - Tom Finney. Considering Finney was one of the most skilful wingers in English football history and a man Shank's genuinely respected it was far from faint praise and not the typical piece of Shankly psychology. However, it was a comparison Gordon found it hard to live up to.

Wallace started the 1964-65 campaign as first choice in the number 10 shirt keeping the jersey for the next seven games after scoring twice in the season's opener at home to Arsenal. The match was the first highlights package ever shown on BBC Television's Match of the Day and viewers were treated to an exciting 3-2 win for the home side after Gordon notched the winner a few minutes from time. Though he scored in the Charity Shield seven days earlier those black and white images record the only goals he scored that season. Those few outings were followed up by three sporadic games.

As Liverpool claimed the title for a second time in three years only 14 players were used throughout the entire campaign with two of that number making just four appearances between them. Gordon Wallace was not one of those called upon and remained out of favour through bad injuries and the form that usually brings until joining Crewe Alexandra in 1967.

11 Ian Callaghan

Just two months into his professional career Ian Callaghan was replacing his boyhood hero, Billy Liddell, on the right wing. The Liverpool legend was injured and his stand-in, just six days past his eighteenth birthday, would go on to replace the great man on a permanent basis and become a legend in his won right. That debut against Bristol Rovers in April 1960 was a huge personal triumph. Liverpool ran out 4-0 winners and Cally was clapped off the field by his colleagues.

The only player from Liverpool's Second Division days to survive until the 1977 European Cup winning team created many records for appearances. In April 1974 he overtook Billy Liddell's record of League outings. The record which still belongs to Cally stands at 640 and is unlikely to be broken in the near future if at all. Even Jamie Carragher has just under 130 games to play in order to draw level.

Callaghan finished his Anfield career when the 1977-78 season closed following 848 career appearances and 69 goals. Despite his length of service his honours, at least by modern Liverpool standards, may appear fairly modest. Five championships and one Second Division title were followed up by two FA Cups, a couple of European Cups and a UEFA Cup medal. This may be more than a lot of players can even hope to collect but it’s a total which could have been doubled or even trebled had Cally's career coincided with the club's most successful era.

He received his first England cap in 1966 when Alf Ramsey selected him to play against Finland and was retained for the World Cup finals but played just one game in the group stages of the competition. He was recalled to the international stage at the tender age of 35 when Don Revie selected him to line up against Switzerland and Luxembourg in the qualifying rounds on the 1978 World Cup.

Further acknowledgement of his services to the game came with an OBE in 1976. Another personal accolade was his Football Writers' Player of the year Award in 1974.

Swansea City snapped up his services when he became available on a free transfer to help their push for promotions through the divisions. From South Wales he moved to Irish League side Cork United and then to Soudifjord of Norway. He returned to England to see out his playing days with Crewe Alexandra.

A model professional who gave The Reds good value for the money paid out for him - the princely sum of £10 made to all professionals when they joined a club.

Shankly Signings XI

2009-12-02T09:20:00.002Z

A team constructed purely of men Bill Shankly brought to Liverpool Football Club from elsewhere rather than those brought through the ranks.

1 Ray Clemence

Even with Liverpool's firmament of goalkeeping talent Ray Clemence achieved legendary status not just in his playing days but far beyond them by becoming one of the most respected custodians of Liverpool's proud goalkeeping history. He kept an amazing 335 clean sheets from the 656 career games for the Reds and the fact that his name is just as fondly remembered as those of Kenny Dalglish, Steve Heighway, John Toshack, Terry McDermott or even Kevin Keegan to name but a few is testament to that.

One of the country's best ever last lines of defence is said to have become a goalkeeper by accident. Like most stoppers he fancied himself as a forward and was by his own admission a prolific scorer in training ground five-a-sides but as a youngster he was told to play in goal or not to play at all. Strange to think that but for that the £18,000 recruit from Scunthorpe United in 1967 may never have made the professional grade.

His talent between the sticks was plain for all to see. So much so that Bill Shankly signed him after just 48 appearances. Despite the high regard Clem was held in he had to push Tommy Lawrence out of the picture first. A debut came the best part of a year after his arrival on Merseyside in a 3rd round FA Cup tie with Swansea City. It was a further year and a half before he could call the number one jersey his own. Upon becoming the first choice he missed a mere handful of games in his 11 seasons at the club. During his time at Anfield he collected five league championships, three European and two UEFA Cup winners medals. He also won each of the domestic cups - the FA Cup in 1974 and League Cup in 1981.

Throughout the entire 1978-79 campaign conceded a miserly 16 goals. A record in a 42 league game season.

In the summer of 1981 he took up a new challenge with Tottenham Hotspur. The £300,000 fee was a hefty one at the time. He finished his playing career at White Hart Lane collecting a couple more FA Cup medals. He was also in the Spurs team which lost 3-1 to Liverpool in the 1982 League Cup final.

His international career began in 1972 with a cap against Wales in Cardiff. He went on to make 56 appearances for England as a Liverpool player. Adding five more with Tottenham. Since retiring in 1988 he joined the coaching staff at Spurs and the manager of Barnet. He has or some years served as England's goalkeeping coach.

2 Geoff Strong

Despite having a decent career with Arsenal and playing quite regularly Geoff Strong decided to look for fresh pastures and berth in his preferred striking position. Bill Shankly made no promises about his role when brokering a £40,000 deal in November 1964 which was a quick fix to cover for Alf Arrowsmith who would be sidelined for some time but Shanks knew his proven utility could only benefit his squad. In fact the manager often asked him to perform duties all over the field yet the qualms that had seen him leave Highbury never seemed to bother the player on Merseyside. At the end of his first season he was an FA Cup winner coming into the side at the expense of Gordon Milne who had missed out through a injury and earned Strong the distinction of winning the trophy in his first FA Cup game for the club.

A year later he had a championship medal after 21 games in six different positions and one outing from the newly introduced substitute's bench. It was in that game at West Ham United that he became the first Liverpool player outside the starting XI to register on the scoresheet. His goal 14 minutes from time earned a share of the points and also marked the first time Liverpool had introduced a player from the bench. Shanks was a believer in not unsettling the side he put on the pitch for the first minute unless absolutely necessary. His five league goals that term included one in the first game shown on BBC Television's Match of the Day highlights show.

In Europe and the Cup Winners Cup Strong managed to find the scoresheet in the opening round against Juventus. His strike in the 2-0 win over the Italian giants wrapped up the scoring and saw the Reds turn around a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Turin. His next in the semi-final battle with Celtic saw a repeat of that feat and was remarkable in that it was a headed goal which saw the Northumbrian rise high despite a knee injury that would have seen many players head off the field. Injuries and tactical decisions were the only bar to his participation in the side though these lay offs were fortunately rare until his eventual departure for Coventry City in August 1970. He had played close on to 200 games for the Reds scoring 32 goals after sterling service and great displays in virtually every outfield position - right back included. Who knows. Had Liverpool not had some of the fittest goalkeepers of the era and enjoyed luck with injuries during games he may well have donned the gloves and added that to his expanding CV.

3 Alex Lindsay

Widely regarded as one of the best left backs Liverpool have ever had Alec Lindsay was recruited from Bury in March 1969 for a sizeable £67,000 fee. However, as far as Bill Shankly was concerned it was a snip for such a naturally gifted player who played at wing half and inside forward at Gigg Lane. 126 appearances for his hometown team prouduced a ceditable 14 goals.

His debut came half a year later in a European Fairs Cup 1st round tie with Dundalk when he scored the sixth in a 10-0 win over the Irish minnows. Although he was tried out in his more accustomed positions Shanks decided that he would be best employed in a deeper role from which he could use his phenomenal pace to overlap attacks. It proved to be a master stroke and a tactical switch which hallmarked the manager's place in the pantheon of true greats.

However, Lindsay still had to wait just over a season before he could be considered a regular in the side. When he was the Lancastrian formed a solid partnership with right back Chris Lawler. A league championship, UEFA and FA Cup winners medals were all garnered before his eventual departure to Stoke City in the summer of 1977 though he did add a European Cup Winner‘s medal albeit as a non-playing substitute months before he left for The Victoria Ground.

The arrival of Joey Jones, Phil Neal and the rejuvenation of Tommy Smith's career had limited his first team chances for a couple of years prior to that.

4 Emlyn Hughes

Liverpool paid £65,000 to Blackpool for the defender's services in March 1967. Although he had played a fairly small number of games for the Seasiders Shanks had no doubt about his worth and pitched the youngster into the cut and thrust of top flight football within a month of signing.

Hughes became an instant hit with the fans due to his infectious enthusiasm. They would eventually call him Crazy Horse in tribute to his running style and surges up front plus a rugby tackle he performed on Newcastle forward Albert Bennet early in his Anfield career.

His journeys up field brought their fair share of goals. As captain for the 1976-77 campaign it was his honour to lift the club's first European Cup aloft. The win in Rome was one of his two successive European Cup winners medals. These prizes sit neatly with four league championships, two UEFA Cups, an FA Cup winners medal and the 1976 PFA Player of the Year Award. He also earned 62 England caps 59 as a Liverpool player which included 40 as captain.

In the summer of 1979 he left for Wolverhampton Wanderers where he added a League Cup to his trophy cabinet. A two season spell at Molynuex ended with his decision to accept the player/manager position at Rotherham United. His record as a boss could never live up to his playing days. Even after leaving the South Yorkshire club he turned out for Hull City, Mansfield Town and Swansea City. His distinguished sporting career earned him an OBE. Apart from captaining teams on a Question of Sport and ITV's Sporting Triangles he had no further involvement with the game. He ran a promotions company but in 2003 was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Despite surgery he failed to beat the disease passing away in November 2004 at the age of 57.

5 Willie Stevenson

A left half with a cultured style brought in to replace the more fundamental Tommy Leishman. Bill Shankly's move for the former Glasgow Rangers man halted immediate plans to emigrate to Australia where he had been playing after finding himself surplus to requirements at Ibrox. £7,000 was a small price to pay for a player with flair and creativity. Shanks wanted to develop in the side following promotion to the top flight. A number of players had struggled to come to terms with the higher level they were now expected to perform. Stevenson himself found it hard to acclimatise at first but maybe that was to be expected from someone who had not played first class football for a number of months. Eventually he found his feet and looked good alongside Ron Yeats and Gordon Milne. Able to tackle well plus move forward easily with the ball Liverpool found there were new dimensions to their play.

If there was a criticism of Willie it had to be that he was often too keen to set up chances for others rather than seize initiatives for himself. An observation supported by a return of 17 goals from 237 career games at Anfield. That being so he was at the heart of league championship and FA Cup winning sides of the 1960s. He set up the move for the first Liverpool goal of the afternoon in the 1965 FA Cup final which Roger Hunt snapped up.

It was just as well the Reds enjoyed success as he proved to be a man who hated losing, especially at the last hurdle, as demonstrated by his discarding of his runners-up medal after the 1966 European Cup Winners Cup final. Angry at the manner of his side's last minute defeat and the fact that Liverpool had chances to seize the game he threw it out of the toilet window. To this day nobody has gone on record as finding it.

After five seasons as the regular choice in the number six shirt including four campaigns as a virtual ever present he fell victim to a team rebuilding exercise and the recruitment of Emlyn Hughes from Blackpool. The newcomer had arrived during the previous term but had operated mostly at left back. However, Bill Shankly's long term aim was to introduce him to the half back line as soon as possible. With Ron Yeats and Tommy Smith to contend with Stevenson decided to look elsewhere for regular first team action and joined Stoke City.

6 Ron Yeats

Upon signing Ron Yeats Bill Shankly described his new centre half as a colossus. As if to prove his point he invited journalists covering the story to come and take a walk around him. Considering he stood 6'2" tall and weighed around 14 stones Shank's description was a fair one but he was a giant in much more than stature.

Yeats provided the cornerstone of a defence which would play a large part in not only Liverpool's assault on the First Division but in the Reds' battle for supremacy in Europe.

A £30,000 fee for the former slaughterhouse man was a major amount of money in July 1961 but these days Big Ronnie could fetch many millions of pounds on the transfer market. He was appointed club captain almost as soon as the ink on his contract was dry. It was a role which he kept for nine seasons during which time he lead Liverpool to the Second Division Championship, two League Championships and a first ever FA Cup win. To date he is Liverpool's longest-serving post-war captain. When Liverpool came out of Division Two Ron led a side which set about dominating the English game winning championships, made their first incursions into Europe and Yeats became the first Liverpool skipper to hold the FA Cup aloft in 1965 by virtue of the 2-1 win over Leeds United at Wembley.

First team opportunities dried up at the turn of the 1970's. A new breed of defenders were chomping at the bit and when the opportunity came their way they proved more than equal to it. After a decade at Anfield and over 450 appearances he made a short journey across the Mersey to take up a player/manager role at Prenton Park. After leaving Tranmere then making some appearances in the North American Soccer League and turning out as an amateur with various sides in the North West he remained out of the game until appointed as Anfield's Chief Scout in 1986. A post he held for over 20 years.

Somewhat bizarrely he won just two caps with Scotland. However, the Tartan Army's loss was certainly Liverpool's gain and maybe the rest he earned while international fixtures were played helped him chalk up ten seasons at Anfield.

7 Kevin Keegan

When Bill Shankly brought this unassuming youngster to Merseyside there were many who wondered whether he could recreate the promise he had shown in the 4th Division at the highest level. A host of top flight clubs had him watched but Joe Fagan and Bob Paisley decided they had seen enough after 20 minutes of their scouting trip. With a recommendation like that there was little other option than to sign him.

The initial plan was that he should take over from Ian Callaghan on the right hand side of midfield. A cartilage operation had left the veteran struggling for fitness. As it happened Cally not only made a full recovery his career enjoyed something of a boost. Consequently Keegan was placed up front where he formed a devastating partnership with John Toshack.

There is a picture of Keegan upon his arrival at Anfield sat on a dustbin while he waits to go through the formalities of joining the club. However, his performances were anything but rubbish. Despite his lack of height he could out jump most defenders and possessed deceptive strength. His boundless energy meant he could run opposition back lines ragged. He also had great skill and balance plus a spectacular ability to finish.
He scored two goals in the 1974 FA Cup final and the first leg of the 1973 UEFA Cup Final. He also notched efforts in both legs of the 1976 competition.

Precisely 100 goals from 323 games for Liverpool emphasises his attraction to other clubs. Continental teams were rumoured to be taking a keen interest in his services. Many were linked but SV Hamburg were the club who actually managed to land him. He returned to these shores a few years later when he joined Southampton. Two years after his arrival at The Dell he began a love affair with Newcastle United. Terry McDermott was tempted back to the club and in their first full season together the Magpies were promoted to Division One. He retired from the game at the end of the 1983-84 season. A 4-0 FA cup defeat by Liverpool in a 3rd round tie at Anfield convinced him that this season would be his last.

8 Ian St John

When this centre forward arrived from Motherwell in May 1961 he was the club's record buy. He had been set to sign for Newcastle and even admitted he didn't know an awful lot about Liverpool but after meeting Bill Shankly decided to pick the Reds ahead of his other suitors even though the North Eastern outfit were a well established first division club and Liverpool were mid-table and a division lower.

Many on the Liverpool board questioned whether £37,500 could be afforded despite the impression St John had made with Motherwell. Bill Shankly a long term admirer of the player preferred to ask whether the Reds could afford not to go through with the deal. It was an astute observation by the manager who secured his services prior to the 1961-62 term beginning.

He proved an instant hit scoring a hat-trick in his first game. The opposition were Everton in a Liverpool Senior Cup tie. Although a striker all his career he was moved to inside forward by Shanks. He took to his new role well and it didn't dull The Saint's scoring prowess either as he not only grabbed goals himself but made them for others. He struck up an instant and devastating union with Roger Hunt playing the perfect foil to the out and out forward who he helped notch 41 goals from as many games as the Second Division championship and that long awaited promotion back to the top flight was secured at the end of the 1961-62 campaign. 18 strikes was a good return for St John who proved he could also cut it at the highest level

It was his extra-time goal - a stooping header to turn home Ian Callaghan cross - seven minutes from the end of extra-time which won a first FA Cup in the club‘s history. As with most of Bill Shankly's signings the new decade marked the end of his Anfield career. Before playing out his last games in South Africa Ian St John joined the exodus to Tranmere Rovers. He returned to Britain and took the managerial reigns at his old club Motherwell and then Portsmouth. A brief stint at Fratton Park preceding a coaching role with Sheffield Wednesday.

9 Steve Heighway

The Dublin born winger graduated from Warwick University with a degree in Economics. He had a spell with Manchester City as an amateur but it was his performances for non-league Skelmersdale United that peaked Liverpool's interest. Bob Paisley went to watch him on the recommendation of his sons. The Geordie wasn't one to heap false praise on people so when he described Heighway as the best amateur footballer he had ever seen Bill Shankly snapped him up.

In October 1970 after one introduction as a substitute he came in for a start and a goal on his home debut. A 2-0 win over Burnley was a great beginning. He remained a virtual ever present member of the team capping his season with a superb goal in the FA Cup final which he made himself after cutting in from the wing and shooting low past Arsenal keeper Bob Wilson. It was a strike which deserved to win any game especially this one but which ultimately proved nothing more than a personal accolade to look back on as the Gunners managed to edge the game. Three years later he was on the mark again at Wembley as Liverpool swept Newcastle United to one side.

Between those two games he made in excess of 150 appearances for the club, won a league championship and played in both legs of the UEFA Cup victory against Borussia Munchengladbach even though he was substituted in each game.

An ability to play off either foot made him one of the most exciting and feared wingers in the country.

Although a relative late comer to the professional ranks he claimed almost every prize it had to offer as well as Republic of Ireland caps. His contribution in terms of providing chances and scoring goals cannot be underestimated. He laid on countless chances which more often than not his colleagues would tuck away. The 1977 European Cup final being a prime example. After nine seasons he began to find that first team opportunities were limited at the turn of the 1980's when he was mostly used as a substitute.

Heighway left the club in April 1981 to try his luck in the North American Soccer League with Minnesota Kicks. He returned to Anfield in 1989 to become the Red’s Youth Development officer remaining in post until April 2007 deciding to call it a day after his young charges won the FA Youth Cup for a second successive year. In this capacity he has nurtured the talents of players like Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard amongst others.

10 John Toshack

The Welsh forward fetched a club record £110,000 when he signed from Cardiff City in November 1970. He scored 77 goals in 159 appearances for the South Wales Club. His tall and muscular frame made him deadly in the air and the perfect foil for his striking partner during much of his time at Anfield - Kevin Keegan.

Their partnership yielded 137 league goals in six seasons. Tosh scored 95 from his 245 run outs for the Reds. His Anfield career saw him win three championship medals, two UEFA Cups, a European Champions Cup and one FA Cup winners' medal. He played 40 internationals for Wales including 26 as a Liverpool player. He was a fairly creative person off the pitch and penned many odes about his fellow professionals and the games he had played.

He left Merseyside during the 1977-78 season to take up the player/manager's position at Swansea City although he could have joined Leicester City three seasons earlier - he failed a medical after agreeing personal terms. Tosh guided the Swans all the way to Division One within just five seasons recruiting many of his former teammates along the way. He returned to Anfield in the opposition dugout when his team took on Liverpool in October 1981. His charges did him proud earning a creditable 2-2 draw. They finished sixth in that first top flight season.

Although they were relegated the following term Toshack's managerial skills were being watched and admired by many clubs further a field than these shores. That took him to the continent most prominently in Spain although he endured a brief stint in Turkey. Whilst still managing in Spain he was handed the reigns of the Welsh national side. Although a part-time appointment he was forced to resign after just one game following criticism of his ability to carry out his duties effectively though is is the principality's current national boss.

Kenny Dalglish's decision to relinquish the Anfield hotseat in February 1991 saw speculation about him taking over at his former club. Similar rumours surrounded the departure of both Graeme Souness and Roy Evans but nothing ever came of the talk.

11 Peter Thompson

There have been few better practitioners of the real art of wing play in the club's history and certainly Peter Thompson was one of the greatest of his era. Fast, skilled, excellent control and strength which made him tricky to knock off the ball he tied defenders in knots. There was also an ability to deliver a great cross.

A £35,000 buy from Bill Shankly's old club Preston North End he may have attracted a record fee but this 21 year old was no gamble. Shanks had done his research and ensured the new man arrived at Anfield in a blaze of publicity and the type of fan attention usually reserved for pop stars. According to the player it was possibly a ploy of the manager who had tipped off as many journalists as he could think of and rounded up fans to loiter in the car park in a move designed to encourage him to sign. After all how could he fail to be impressed by such a reception merely to see him discuss terms.

Whatever the truth of that claim he accepted the offer and spent nine seasons with the club more often than not tearing down either the left or right flank.

In the last few seasons of his stay he wasn't a regular choice due to the emergence of Steve Heighway. He was no slouch when presented with a chance himself and struck over 50 times in a Liverpool shirt. He came to the attention of the England selectors soon after joining the Reds with full England caps adding to his youth honours. It was a progression seen as a matter of course and so it proved. Only Alf Ramsey deciding the use of wingers was an unnecessary luxury curtailed his international career. He left the club in 1972 for Bolton Wanderers and stayed at Burden Park until his retirement in 1978.

A new Liverpool Football Fancast - Now available

2009-12-01T23:45:00.000Z

The new Liverpool Football Fancast is now available for download at the link below or via itunes.
Derby delight for Michael Owen and the Red panel in this episode as they reflect on the win over Everton. Darren Phillips, Gareth Roberts and Richard Buxton debate Champions League elimination, the prospect of Europa League football and the modern football supporter.

Also in this episode is a sneak preview of The Shankly Show ahead of 50th anniversary of the great man's arrival at Anfield.

http://podcasts.footballfancast.com/liverpool_fancast/296845/liverpool-football-fancast-033

... and if you know your history

2009-12-01T00:56:00.001Z

Though he accepted the task of managing Liverpool Football Club on 1 December 1959 Bill Shankly didn't take charge of the club until almost a fortnight had passed. His mission was to take Liverpool from a club mired by second division mediocrity to one that would quite literally become the country's finest.

Something emphasised by the quote below.

This article was first published two years ago but in the present circumstances and given the weekend's opposition it perhaps seems appropiate that it should be reprinted now.

It is the first in a series over the next two weeks.

“My idea was to build Liverpool into a bastion of invincibility. Napoleon had that idea. He wanted to conquer the bloody world. I wanted Liverpool to be untouchable. My idea was to build Liverpool up and up until eventually everyone would have to submit and give in.” Bill Shankly

A few years ago anyone approaching Anfield from the other side of Stanley Park or if a person had a mind to cast an eye in the direction of Goodison Park would have seen a huge banner draped from the top of the Bullens Road Stand. It could hardly fail to be noticed and simply read - “and if you know your history”.

The Blues put it up there to commemorate their 125th year and no doubt to make a few points about their senior status within the City. It’s not the only missive they have addressed in such a pithy manner but history is important to football fans. As those who follow Chelsea are reminded whenever they encounter Liverpool it’s something that cannot be bought. It has to be earned.

There is no debate about Everton’s credentials but there should be an appreciation that the statement can be read or interpreted many ways and that each is as pertinent as the other.

It literally all depends on your history.

On coming to Liverpool Rafael Benitez was considered to use - at least by comparison to English standards - revolutionary, almost visionary methods of thought and practice which extended to training, preparation and many other matters relating to not just the game itself but the club. However, maybe it is more accurate to say that Rafa is as much of a football historian as he is a revolutionary. He is a man with genuine fascination about the past and pours over its relevance with as much fascination as he does the future.

He is fortunate enough to work in an age where technology ensures detailed analysis is at his fingertips. During the bootroom era the staff kept a huge handwritten book or rather set of huge books in which they noted and recorded every detail of the day’s events. Points about upcoming opponents would rarely be included. Scouts carried out that work and made meticulous reports. Other means were also employed - a seemingly friendly drink for visiting managers who would have their brains picked over while they thought they were enjoying nothing more than some hospitality rather than an interrogation. They were off their guard and all too often let information about their own club or any other slip.

Facts and figures filled the pages but not from match days. It was events at Melwood such as the five-a-sides and physical training. Any injuries being carried would be jotted down along with the treatment. There was nothing left to chance and everything no matter how slight or even trivial it may have seemed was entered into the tome. Even the weather and conditions underfoot were noted.

Over the years those dusty volumes became little short of a bible or technical manual used to diagnose problems and more importantly remedy them. It reduced lay-offs, stopped niggles before they become major injury worries, shaped training and methods far beyond the year Joe Fagan started to put pen to paper and long after Joe himself retired from management almost three decades after Bill Shankly was appointed.

If Shanks and his staff had been born in the latter half of the last century rather than first and been coaching now they would have used a computer to do exactly the same thing though it may not make finding the matter they wished to pour over any quicker than leafing through the dusty volumes. Knowledge of the entries was almost encyclopaedic.

Gathering data in the current day is little different as an exercise. Prozone, OPTA indexes and even the most basic match statistic such as shots on goal would be put into some catalogue or other with the information gleaned put to just as good a purpose.

The facts are you can learn a lot from history. More than you often expect and just as crucially not just your own.

During Bill Shankly’s first years of Anfield management he had little choice but to consolidate. His appointment was mid-season and he needed to ensure The Reds didn’t drop. Simultaneously he started putting things right off the field such as training and facilities. It was only then that he turned towards his personnel bringing in key signings and shaping a team which was kept intact. Additions were usually only made when somebody better than the player who already held the role became available or time had simply caught up with a player. There was one key requirement - each player had to fit into the team ethic. They didn’t need to be best friends off the pitch as long as they were a band of brothers on the field.

It still took two and a half seasons to escape Division Two though only another couple of years to lift the title. A first - coincidentally - in seventeen seasons. Had the great man been managing in the present day he may not have been given the chance to take charge at Liverpool. Even if he had there’s every chance he would have been hold to have been relatively mediocre at first.

Success of course can be bought. Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea are examples and although Chelsea cannot yet be said to have had their flash in the pan rising in this manner is usually a short term stay at the summit.

Keeping on top means a manager must build a team and ensuring a more prolonged period of time there he
must assemble more than one great side. There doesn’t have to be a total break up. Often there are at least one or two constant members.

These were the foundations which kept Liverpool at the top for almost twenty years and Bob Paisley
developed on what he in turn had learned and experienced to make The Reds even stronger. Anfield became far more than that bastion of invincibility Shanks stated as his aim and the rest virtually did give in.

The set-up and system was perfect from top to bottom. It’s something of an hackneyed phrase but from the
laundry room to the board room everyone had a job and knew exactly what they were aiming to achieve. Each cog was as vital in the wheel. The result was that Liverpool dominated the English game and used the lessons to do just the same in Europe. First winning a couple of UEFA Cups and then becoming the entire continent’s premier side.

Of course certain things ran in Liverpool’s favour. The game not to mention the world around it fundamentally failed to change. Consequently only the odd tinker was required. However, towards the end of the 1980s and very much during the early part of the next decade changes were not just occurring they were little more than seismic and included political factors such as the break up of the Soviet block plus expansion of the European Economic Community and vitally its legal influence.

UEFA took steps to exert their authority with a number of dictats such as limiting the number of foreign players able to be fielded. This in particular hit a club like Liverpool, which had drawn an extensive amount of talent from each home nation, particularly hard and although there was some notice it proved insufficient as a youth policy which most clubs subscribed to as the best way to cope with the demands had to be built from the ground up.

Like a number of their peers Liverpool bought many youngsters who held potential and when necessary managers were allowed to widen the purse strings considerably.

Arsene Wenger has succinctly been described as having a sense of failure if he has to dip into the transfer market to land experience rather than bring one of his youngster stars through. In his decade in charge at Arsenal he has kept true to those principles building and rebuilding sides. Sometimes his hand has been forced by circumstance rather than his own will but at no time has he ever wavered. He simply develops more prospects from a seemingly endless conveyer belt of youngsters. He may not have won a title since 2004 but has kept his side in the hunt maintaining a base on which he would hope to create a side able to dominate.

At the same time as Liverpool were forced to field reserves in the UEFA and European Cup Winners Cup Manchester United were blooding a clutch of home grown players which they interspersed with some more experienced names - foreign and domestic. As the immediate seasons rolled by the policy reaped more dividends. It was held that Alex Ferguson had been as shrewd in his methods as the man who built the last great United side to win titles Sir Matt Busby but in truth both managers were compelled to undertake the policy through austerity as much as foresight.

At the end of World War Two Manchester United like the country as a whole had very little money and a poorly maintained ground. The population was rationed for all manner of consumer items and supplies. Old Trafford was little more than a bombed out shell and although things were certainly better than that in the 1980s. Cities like Manchester and Liverpool both hubs of commerce during the early part of the century suffered from government policies which led to a decline in their traditional industries.

Alex Ferguson was forced to bring youngsters through. The Old Trafford board tightened its belt after a flash period during the early 1980s. The club rode a boom until it threatened to bust and by happy coincidence for his club those outside factors along with some luck and planning brought a very promising group of apprentices through which not only stayed together for a number of seasons but were hungry enough to fuel each other.

Manchester United recognised the need to induce capital and investment so became a public limited company adopting continental methods of financial organisation. In an increasingly cosmopolitan world it paid
off.

Just like Liverpool in the 1960s those at Manchester United had learned to adapt then imposed their own
order building a tradition which though some way short of a dynasty certainly kept them on top for a generation.

It was hard for anyone born during the heyday of Liverpool Football Club that almost two decades could pass without winning the championship. It rarely eluded the trophy cabinet for 12 months. Any longer away
than that and the situation would have been considered a crisis.

It could be said that the Reds had a corner shop approach compared to the supermarket that the Red Devils eventually adopted. Anfield was rarely a hub-bub except on match days unlike Old Trafford. It worked for a long long time as the expertise and quality of service offered exceeded the philosophy but in a world when supermarkets removed themselves from the High Streets and urban life in favour of purpose built out of town sites Liverpool became unable to compete or make the most of conditions.

Roy Evans showed that old values were still good ones but fell short. The teams he assembled should have achieved far more than a single League Cup triumph. Not only could more silverware been lifted they should have been perennial challengers for the Premiership rather than consistent European qualifiers.

That inability to go further did prompt The Reds to follow not only Arsenal but so many clubs across Europe
for guidance and appointing a foreign manager.

It may be common place now but those who had experimented with the practice such as Aston Villa hadn’t met with any success. Appointing Gerard Houllier was a huge departure from tradition. More so than Rafael Benitez as it marked the first step along that route. The sale of the club to Tom Hicks and George Gillett was a clear indication that the club will tread any path that yields success and competitiveness.

The 2001-02 season excepted when only Arsenal’s form and results matched that of Liverpool’s stride for stride little impression has been made in the league.

Though Manchester United have changed hands and are also owned by an American concern starkly it’s now they who are the exception to each of the other ‘Big 4’members. Had Alex Ferguson retired a few seasons ago there seems little doubt that his job would have gone to someone outside these shores and there is no doubting that some of their recent forays in to the transfer market domestic and worldwide have been follies - sometimes expensive ones. There has not been an aversion at Old Trafford to paying high prices and though the youth policy us still active it hasn’t brought through the same block of players since that of the 1990s and there simply isn’t time or the financial flexibility for Manchester United to have the luxury of treading water while a team is nurtured.

Rafa is aloof with his charges but so was Shanks. Players out of the first team could be virtually ignored until they were ready to return but could always be sure that Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Ronnie Moran or Roy Evans would be warmer characters though able to provide a kick up the backside if need be until some of that number took over. Ian St John a man who possibly felt as close to Bill Shankly as any other player was dropped from the side in his early 30s which at the time meant he was never likely to return. There would seem no colder shoulder offered than that.

Postscript - written 1 December 2009

These are not the only similarities to current day events.

There were huge fights not to mention horse trading with those holding the purse strings at Anfield in the 1960s. These only eased when one man director Sidney Reakes took up battle on the manager's behalf.

Criticism came in the shape of letter's to the local paper and one or two Annual General Meetings when shareholders openly questioned decisions, signings or performances.

Rafael Benitez may not be a man able to interact so freely with the fans as Shanks did. He may never address a packed crowd outside the Town Hall and command silence merely by lifting his arms to signal that hush is in order but the Spaniard has an shares ability to communicate in equally simple if less eye-catching ways.

There is little opportunity to answer thousands of emails which would cram any inbox and prepare a football team.

Nor could Rafa wheel out the trusty old typewriter of the kind Bill used to bang out letters to fans who took the time to make direct contact and while those precious items of correspondenced are still treasure by those lucky enough to have received them they would no doubt appear in newspapers, websites or round the clock TV channels.

In the internet age when anyone on the globe can pass an opinion or create blogs which are written by numbers and media screachings rather than considered if critical debate. Not to mention days of post-match radio phone-ins deliberately staged when emotions are high it is intruiging to consider how the pressure would have built on a weekly rather than daily basis.

The man who has to be considered the architect of Liverpool's domination of European football may have either resigned or been forced out by directors keen to beat the malcontents off their backs. It was something considered by those at the top but so too was a voluntary departure when it seemed backing would not be forthcoming.

Liverpool would be a very different club to the one it is now and may have hosted a very moderate standard of football. The trappings of success absent and with it a city which though passionate about the game is considered one of very ordinary acheivement.

How events pan out in years to come and what history tells us in 2059 remains just as fascinating.

The Art Coming Back - A Liverpool Story

2009-11-24T19:09:00.002Z

Long before miracles were completed in Istanbul Liverpool Football Club had not merely a tradition but an expectation that no game was ever lost and no result ever certain until the referee blew his whistle. No prize ever out of reach until mathematically certain.

Often clubs either playing host to The Reds or visiting Anfield would hold out for 80 minutes but fall just short by switching off as the line approached assuming the job was all but done while Liverpool plugged away. More often than not finding a route through as a direct result of the opposition already having an eye on the sanctity of their changing room - even the next and often more winnable game than an encounter with The Reds.

Late goals which won games or at the very least earned a point were not matters of legend or exaggerated tales. It all happened as did some superb returns from the brink of humiliation let alone defeat. One of the earliest cases came at Anfield in December 1909 when Newcastle United established a 5-2 lead at the break. Jimmy Howie headed pat Sam Hardy in the first minute and though James Stewart managed a quick equaliser Bert Shepherd notched four times. Liverpool were far from outclassed but enjoyed less luck going forward until the resumption. Jack Parkinson who scored the second pulled another back before former Magpie Ronald Orr managed a brace and drew the scores level at 5-5. Arthur Goddard hit the winner and set the seal on a remarkable game.

Liverpool had won a few league titles by that stage in their history but were not a force in the game when compared to others at the time. They may not have been able to hint just what the club may become in the future but such a turnaround scared other clubs and it was not isolated.

Quickly turning the clock forward to the first leg of the 1976 UEFA Cup final played at Anfield Liverpool were two down to FC Bruges within a dozen minutes and in truth didn‘t look like they could pull so much as a goal back until the third quarter of the game. Backed by a roaring Kop who proved Bill Shankly’s adage that they could suck a ball in Ray Kennedy and Jimmy Case who came on for John Toshack netted to level before Kevin Keegan completed an unlikely looking victory with a penalty. All three goals were scored in a five minute spell.

Over in Belgium for the second leg Bruges pulled the aggregate scores level with another early strike soon after and played out more than an hour without further scares to win the trophy for the second time in four seasons.

May 1985 and though Everton had secured the league title and The Reds were keen to complete the league programme and therefore focus on the upcoming European Cup final giving Watford a 2-0 start at home wasn’t in the script. Just 24 hours before an FA Cup final which could see Everton create history and become the first club to win the double as well as a European trophy it was a bitter pill for most in the crowd to swallow. Juventus manager Giovanni Trapatonni was at Anfield casting an eye over the opposition in preparation for the game in Brussels. He witnessed not only a remarkable but high scoring game and will have been impressed by Ian Rush and for the visitors John Barnes. It was rumoured that a number of Italian clubs had run the rule over the Watford winger while Rush was said to be a direct target for the side known as the Old Lady of Turin who were prepared to offer up to £4 million.

Watford took a deserved lead but it was gifted by Jim Beglin putting through his own net after John Barnes had him turned in knots. Colin West headed the second for the visitors after a cross from Barnes. That advantage was held until half-time. Rush and Kenny Dalglish were instrumental in a thrilling comeback. Rush pulled one back shortly after the resumption then his partner equalised five minutes later. In the next attack Wilf Rostron brought Steve Nicol down. John Wark slotted the penalty home to put The Reds ahead for the first time but John Barnes levelled with a sublime free-kick. It seemed a share of the points was in the cards but Rush struck again when the ball next went into The Hornet’s half pouncing on a blocked shot from Dalglish nine minutes from time.

The list is far from exhaustive though there was of course that most eye-catching of returns from the brink in that 2005 Champions league final. Even when down to a team on fire the towel was never thrown in and the fans believed a comeback was at least a possibility. To a lesser extent the big occasion brought out the same instinct the following season in the FA Cup final.

Regardless of the odds Liverpool fans still believe and still harbour that faith that their team can dig itself out and emerge triumphant. It was no different against Reading at the weekend when the score hit 3-1 nor on the evening of 24 October 2007 after defeat at the home of Besiktas’ Inonu Stadium which had witnessed a first ever win over an English club.

There was to be no resurgence at the Madejski and with just one point from the opening three games Rafa Benitez’s men were staring at the very real prospect of exiting the Champions League at the group phase. There was no margin for error the games which remained all had to be won and maximum points were taken with 16 goals scored in the process.

Unlike that situation two years ago Liverpool are relying heavily on others but there could be one special night at Anfield in a fortnight’s time.

Liverpool Football Fancast - Difficult second podcast now available

2009-11-13T07:40:00.002Z

Episode 32 -the difficult second podcast of the all new Liverpool Football Fancast - is now available online and via itunes.

The panel look at the disappointing start to the month and look forward to our upcoming games at home to Manchester City and away to local rivals Everton.

There is also an exclusive interview with Empire of the Kop founder and passionate Red Antoine Zammit, who keeps us up-to-date with the latest views from Liverpool supporters across the pond.

Got any feedback or a question for the panel send it to liverpool@footballfancast.com and include the title ‘question’.

http://podcasts.footballfancast.com/liverpool_fancast/296742/liverpool-football-fancast-032/

More than just a fall guy

2009-11-12T00:58:00.003Z

Received wisdom has it that minus Fernando Torres Liverpool are devoid of a goal threat. The other strikers on the books are deemed too poor - Andriy Voronin, too fragile and lacking in belief - Ryan Babel or simply unproved - David N’Gog.

Below that are a host of other youngsters still to show their worth at anything higher than reserve level. There is plenty of promise in the likes of Danny Pacheco, Nathan Eccleston and Krisztián Németh who is gaining experience and plaudits in Greece but as yet nothing more.

For Liverpool Voronin has been worth something in the region of his fee. Absolute zero. Something of a lumbering beast complete with a ponytail which can make him a figure of fun amongst his own fans let alone others. He often seems to believe the world is against him and is a man no longer happy in his surroundings. Someone simply going through the motions.

Many ask just how he can have performed with such apparent distinction for Hertha Berlin and be so well considered in Germany. The answer is somewhat straightforward. The Bundesliga is nowhere near being the best league in Europe. Below a certain level the standard on offer is quite poor certainly lacking the Premiership’s depth. It is behind Serie A plus a host of others and certainly La Liga. The most satisfying for those who like to see a consistently high technical grade of football.

Hertha were a team who held a specific brief under Lucien Favre relying largely on their resilience and ability to frustrate. A deep sitting counterattacking outfit for whom the broody Ukrainian exploited a huge benefit from due to drills on the training ground. He knew the places to run and how the ball would be played.

Against Lyon he had a gilt edged opportunity to grab an early and what could have proved a crucial lead. He accelerated away from Jeremy Toulalan to reach Javier Mascherano’s throughball. It was the type of chance he snaffled with Berlin but his shot lacked not just confidence but conviction making the block far easier than it could have been.

Babel cannot be considered any sort of replacement for Torres. His strengths lie in the support role but in that and other areas his ability only flickers at times. It’s fair to point out - as others have done - his Liverpool career is summed up by his appearance from the bench away to Lyon. A thunderbolt from 25 yards followed a intuitive step away to make room with virtually 11 men behind the ball. A few minutes later rather than swing a free-kick into the box he arced it out for a throw-in.

N’Gog can at times look like Bambi skinny legs pumping and feet untidy but has shown a certain amount off composure in front of goal.

Putting his controversial winning of the penalty against Birmingham to one side during that same game in order to get into the area he skipped past challenges travelling somewhere in the region of 30 yards to put himself in the perfect position for a pull back. In addition to taking his goal well he sought to lay on chances which is certainly an area of his game not opened to much scrutiny.

Maybe those who offer opinion on the game should simply watch and question what they think they know.

Quite clearly able to perform in the top flight not to mention Europe where he has often looked equally well equipped he is too good to be considered anything other than a bona fide member of the first team.

Liverpool’s bench has come under great scrutiny this term and along with those youth team products who have gained a seat recently there is so often a clamour to see N’Gog lumped into the list of weaknesses available as replacements. Based on nothing more than his age, some poor control, a sometimes awkward style as the arms flail out and £1.5 million fee. One which should seem paltry and highlight what a fine piece of business his recruitment has been.

Keeping scrutiny on a theme of substitution, which is where N'Gog's immediate Anfield future lies, though he lacks the impact Babel can but so often rarely provides the young Frenchman’s ability to attune to the rhythm of a game - no matter when he is introduced - bodes well for the future.

Liverpool's Rouge Rogue XI

2009-11-08T21:18:00.008Z

The Rogues XI

Charles Itandje

Bob Pursell

Tom Fairfoul

Larry Lloyd

David Burrows

Jackie Sheldon

Graeme Souness

Jermaine Pennant

Tom Fairfoul

Stan Collymore

Michael Owen

Though Liverpool fans are prepared to back any player giving their all this largely tongue in cheek assessment of a possible Rogues XI may provide a little food for thought about those who have perhaps not served the club as diligently as may be expected.

Charles Itandje

Since the club was formed in 1892 Liverpool FC have placed some of the finest goalkeepers in the game between their posts. Consequently there have been few flops and even fewer rogues. Finding a keeper who went bad is consequently not an easy task.

Prior to April just passed Sander Westerveld signing for Everton is as close as it’s possible to say a man who wore a green or any other colour of jersey went bad. However, the one time French under-21 international caused controversy with some inappropriate not to say disrespectful behaviour at the memorial service held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster.

The keeper who was on the cusp of making France’s senior squad in 2006 a year prior to joining the Reds in order to become Jose Reina’s deputy. his arrival allowed Scott Carson a chance to be loaned out to West Bromwich Albion and a chance of cementing his place in the England national side. Almost 200 appearances for RC Lens under his belt Itandje seemed an able stand in but struggled in the seven domestic cup games he was able to muster. Far from the solid keeper he had looked in Ligue 1 he could have pointed a finger at always having the strongest defence Rafael Benitez could have selected ahead of him but was disappointing in successive FA Cup games against Havant and Waterlooville and then the shock Anfield defeat by Barnsley.

Diego Cavalieri’s arrival in 2008 pushed him further down the pecking order but a move to Galatasary which seemed certain to go ahead in that summer’s transfer window broke down at the 11th hour. He failed to so much as make the bench for any game during the 2008-09 season. Other switches during January which followed were similarly thwarted. It was felt that some personal details were the issue. If the stopper had been able to agree a loan he would not have been present at Anfield on 15 April 2009 when he was seen mimicking a dance and laughing during a song.

The club suspended him for 14 days once his actions came to light - the maximum allowed under his contract - and his fate effectively became sure from that point. It was only a matter of where he would go. There were links with clubs in France and Italy but Greece with Kavala FC proved his destination on a season‘s long loan. Though he will have a season of his deal with Liverpool remaining there is no prospect of a return.

Bob Pursell

A full back whose time at Anfield saw both highs and lows after his signing in September 1911 and he sparked controversy from the outset with The Reds receiving a £250 fine for irregularities relating to his transfer - namely not approaching his club, Queens Park, first. There was a scramble for his services around the time and rather than lose out the Liverpool board cut a few corners.

Despite a fairly impressive start to his career missing just 10 of the games he was eligible to play after his capture was completed he was in and out of the side over the next couple of campaigns but was able to play a full part in Liverpool reaching a first ever FA Cup final in 1914.

However, he was heavily implicated in a match fixing scandal less than a year later when players from Liverpool and Manchester United were found to have conspired to arrange a United win by two goals to nil and thereby pull off a betting coup for those in the know. Pursell conceded a penalty which was missed much to the characin of many on the field

He had made just over 100 appearances before he was prematurely retired and although the ban was lifted in recognition of his war service he decided to leave the club after just two more appearances - defeats against Manchester United and Everton over successive days during the Christmas period - and join Port Vale where his brother was also playing. However, after just over a season a broken leg suffered in April 1922 in a match with Leicester forced him to hang up his boots as the season closed.

Larry Lloyd

Bill Shankly identified Larry Lloyd as the eventual successor to Ron Yeats' mantle and as ever the Liverpool boss was proved right for after earning his place in the side towards the end of the 1969-70 season he retained it for just over three seasons. A £50,000 fee secured his services from Bristol Rovers in April 1969. He made a fleeting debut early in the following campaign.

There were many of the basic skills a defender may rely upon missing at this stage but displaying a confidence which belied his youth Lloyd proved there was far more to his game than aerial power and for a man standing over 6 feet tall he was good on the ground. Pace was not a keen asset but he was strong in the tackle and capable of using the ball he'd won well. A burst from the back would usually encourage his colleagues to team forward such was his surety in possession and their confidence in his ball skills. Distribution with his trusty left foot was another asset.

At the other end of the field his goals to games ratio was poor. Just five strikes were amassed from 217 outings although one of that albeit small number proved to be the winner against Borussia Moenchengladbach in the 1972-73 UEFA Cup final. He also earned a championship medal in the same season as an ever-present member of the squad and found his efforts justly rewarded by a place in the England team.

He was hungry to earn more honours and would have earned a FA Cup winners medal but for a seemingly innocuous thigh injury marked the end of his Anfield career as although the knock wasn't a serious set back it did keep him out long enough to allow Phil Thompson who had been operating in midfield to establish his place in the side paving the way for a £225,000 transfer to Coventry City in the summer of 1974. Just a couple of years later after suffering from a few injuries was loaned to Second Division Nottingham Forest eventually striking a permanent deal and gaining readmission to the top flight when Brian Clough’s side finished the 1976-77 season in the promotion places - taking the third and final place was no indication of how Forest would do over the next few seasons.

Clough guided his side to a Football League Championship and then successive European Cup wins. There was also a couple of League Cup victories the first of which was recorded over Liverpool in a controversial game. The teams had fought out a 0-0 draw at Wembley with youngster Chris Woods performing well between the posts and denying the Reds countless times. Liverpool were just as good value in the Old Trafford replay but were beaten by a controversial penalty awarded for Phil Thompson’s trip on John O’Hare. John Robertson converted.

Referee Pat Partridge may be a better figure to placed in the Rouges XI than Larry Lloyd as he also denied a perfectly good Terry McDermott goal for a handball when the midfielder clearly took the ball on his chest but the nod goes to the huge Bristolian due to his efforts in assisting denying Liverpool not only this trophy but possibly standing in the way of more League titles being added to the club’s haul. Not only that ‘Old Big Ears’ may have been won five times before Istanbul. Forest put Liverpool out in the opening phase of the 1979-80 European Cup.

Tom Fairfoul

An experienced right half signed from Third Lanark in 1913 who helped Liverpool reach a first ever FA Cup final at the end of his first season. He was a tough player to beat with a steely demeanour and a stiff tackle which would often see him win the ball cleanly which he then managed to use well thanks to his sure passing. He suspended for his part in the betting scandal that rocked the game just before the outbreak of World War One.

It may seem hard to believe that any Liverpool player would want to lose to Manchester United but Fairfoul was one of four Anfield players who were found guilty of arranging for that to happen in 1915. Advancing in years the Scot was one of the many players who realised that if hostilities lasted six months or six years his days as a professional footballer could be numbered. Others connected with both clubs realised that a long war could end their careers and consequently some decided to gain as much money as possible before the inevitable adjournment of the Football League. For Fairfoul it capped a 71 game career over two seasons.

Liverpool were safe in mid-table while United were languishing far too close to the foot of the table for comfort and the points would aid their bid to stave off relegation. With the result already known before a ball was kicked it was suggested that the vital two points meant little to anyone than the Old Trafford club. The Good Friday fixture ended 2-0 to the hosts who had fairly long odds on recording that precise score despite enjoying home advantage. Such a result was reasoned not to appear too outlandish to the casual observer or the authorities. However, those inside the ground could see a farce was being orchestrated.

George Anderson put United ahead and a penalty was expected to double the advantage meaning nothing more had to happen until the close. Patrick O’Connell the regular United penalty taker and someone with a good record from the spot took responsibility but blazed his shot well wide.

Liverpool’s Fred Pagnam who was not in on the fix hit the bar and was openly remonstrated by some for the effort. Anderson grabbed a late second to get the desired final score. A reward was publicly offered for information leading to the identification off those involved by bookmakers. The Sporting Chronicle said it had evidence of a conspiracy to concoct a result and a Football League enquiry set up declared that a betting coup had been arranged. Four players from each club were identified to be the culprits and immediately banned for life. Although the sentences were lifted when the war finished in recognition of service to King and Country Fairfoul was 34 by the time life returned to normal never returned to the game becoming the proprietor of a taxi business in the city.

David Burrows

Though a teenager when he signed for Liverpool with many tactical rough edges David Burrows became a regular choice not too long after his debut against Coventry City in October 1988. Although recognised as a left sided player he could play in either full back berth and brought comparisons early in his Anfield career to Steve Nicol in terms of his versatility, playing style and composure. Like Nicol he linked up well with John Barnes and got forward as often as possible and to great effect.

His tough tackling and strong running style also made him a crowd favourite. However, it highlighted one drawback of his game. David wound up in the referee's notebook far too often and thus missed a number of games through suspension. Without those he may have topped he 200 appearance mark he fell just shy of when joining West Ham United in September 1993 as part of the deal which brought Julian Dicks to Anfield. Graeme Souness had maintained Burrows in his side and allowed the challenger or his preferred spot in the team Steve Staunton to join Aston Villa. It seemed the manager wanted something and someone different in the role.

A single season at Upton Park was ended by a swoop from Everton who fashioned a deal which allowed Tony Cottee to go in the opposite direction and return to West Ham with whom he spent six months before a return to his native midlands with Coventry City. Over four years at Highfield Road injuries restricted his appearances as they did at Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday before he retired in 2003.

There is it would seem little other than a spell at Goodison Burrows could be reproached for and that would be the case but for gestures made when on a return as an opposition player he decided to punch a fist towards The Kop which having been supportive and respectful to a well regarded ex-player reacted badly.

Jackie Sheldon

Before joining Liverpool in November 1913 Jackie Sheldon had played deputy to the Billy Meredith at Old Trafford. Meredith was a legend on the right wing for Manchester United and was a tough player to keep out of the side. However, Sheldon managed that for a short period of time in his last season. That being so he eventually went back into the shadows and was a clear target for the Reds once Arthur Goddard was deemed to have given his best service to the club. He was placed straight into the fray and did well helping his new club to a narrow home win over Tottenham Hotspur. A trip to Aston Villa a week later saw him register his first goal for the club - a penalty in a 2-1 defeat. He kept his place and managed to find the scoresheet without the aid of the dead ball four more time before the season ended and capped his first season with an FA Cup final appearance. Although Liverpool lost by a single goal it wasn't for the lack of effort on Sheldon's behalf who sent in a number of high quality crosses which the forwards particularly Tom Miller failed to capitalise on.

He was justifiably the first choice down the right flank and missed just three games throughout the entire season. However, one of the matches he played in that term caused one of the biggest scandals in the history of English football. Liverpool met his old side Manchester United on Good Friday and with the league set to be suspended due to the Great War it was alleged that a number players uncertain whether they would ever play again decided to stage a betting coup and conspired to fix the result. United who were facing the prospect of relegation beat mid-table Liverpool 2-0. A result with odds of 8-1. A lucrative return for those in the know.

Sheldon the usually sure fire spot kick expert who had converted two efforts to that point missed a penalty and given his status as an ex-United player was deemed to have been one of the key movers in the plan. Claims that he purposefully allowed the keeper to save? were reinforced by the woeful effort put in and the fact that he scored twice from the spot in the immediate weeks after that tie. He was suspended from the game along with other players for life but saw his ban and that of the others lifted immediately after the war due to his service.

That one blot on his record apart he always gave full commitment on the field playing for two more seasons and was again established in the side before losing his place just a season before Liverpool claimed the first of two league titles in the early 1920s to Bill Lacey. Though still on the Anfield books during that initial championship season he had lost any chance of making the side once more due to bad injuries including a broken leg which eventually forced his retirement.

Graeme Souness

One of the finest and most influential players ever to have graced Anfield gave Liverpool's midfield not just a touch of steel but a fair degree of silk. A creative force as well as someone who could dominate a game Graeme Souness has a fair claim to be prime amongst the many dominant midfielders Liverpool have had. Strong in the tackle, on occasions too strong, and with a shot to match his temperament. Not that aggression was the only feature of his game. When called upon he could lay off the subtlest of balls as highlighted by the delicate pass which set up Kenny Dalglish for the only goal of the 1978 European Cup Final win over Bruges. It all highlighted that there was as much grace as there was anger in the Souness game.

His departure following Liverpool's dramatic penalty shoot out win over Roma in the 1984 European Cup Final coincided with The Reds' first trophy less season for ten seasons. Some didn't see it as a coincidence. They saw Souness's absence as the prime reason for The Reds, by their own high standards, having a poor season. His desire to win was almost obsessive and was never better illustrated than in his managerial career.

Free spending Glasgow Rangers, backed by an ambitious chairman intent on bringing glory back to Ibrox, tempted him away from Sampdoria. With Souness as player/manager and then just manger Rangers swept all before them domestically. Although more or less promised a job for life and a club director when the invitation to make his return to Anfield as the new boss came his way there was no hesitation in replacing Kenny Dalglish. A common view was that the Scot's appointment would continue the glut of trophies that had come Liverpool's way in recent years.

However, his return to the club marked the beginning of one of the most tumultuous periods of the club's recent history. A three year reign was as controversial as it was turbulent. The teams under his stewardship played some poor football during his reign but more importantly the players seemed to step out of the winning habit. Souness was a winner and was prepared to give his all in the drive for victory. He expected no less from those around him. It wasn't forthcoming. A fact which frustrated him as much as the Liverpool fans.

Players were bought and while some had great effect others seemed to have nothing if little to offer. These were usually offloaded at a reduced fee or simply dropped from the starting line-up never to return. Rumours of training ground and dressing room bust ups were rife. The ultimate effect being an unsettled camp which even saw some players, usually although not always in private, express dissatisfaction with their manager.

As a club Liverpool drifted backwards in its ability to challenge or honours finishing sixth in each of the full seasons Souness was at the helm for.

The manager wanted to make changes and do so with the same fervour he displayed as a player. Unfortunately he replaced some skilled if admittedly ageing players with ones of lesser ability than those they replaced. When injuries hit - and at times Anfield’s list of the walking wounded was extensive - there was simply not enough quality to replace those who were missing. There was also a feeling that an introduction of new training methods aggravated if not created fitness problems. The extensive nature of the setbacks leant weight to the argument.

Senior professionals were said to be unhappy with the new style. A growing clamour for his resignation reached its peak when a photo of the manager kissing his fiancée after Liverpool's cup semi-final win over Portsmouth in 1992 as he recovered from hear bypass surgery appeared in a newspaper reviled on Merseyside on the 3rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The photograph appeared courtesy of an exclusive deal Souness had negotiated with the title which carried scurrilous lies about the cause of the disaster and its aftermath. A subsequent apology and a donation from the agreed fee to a local children's hospital justifiably failed to appease his critics.

Poor results and the worst start to a season in almost four decades followed. Championship challenges which were then demanded rather than expected at Anfield were over before the autumn leaves started to fall. An FA Cup exit at home to Bristol City at the 1993-94 competition’s first hurdle hastened a departure which many felt had been inevitable since his dealings with the newspaper reviled on Merseyside. An apology issued relating to the episode only mentioned sorrow at an exclusive deal being signed with a tabloid newspaper or which much money hand been handed to good causes.

Souness’s resignation was solemnly announced by a club with no record of dismissing managers but results along with other factors made his position wholly untenable.

Jermaine Pennant

Having something of a chequered career let alone difficulties in his personal life Jermaine Pennant would seem something of an obvious addition to any list of rogue footballers. A great shame given his undoubted ability. Snapped up by Arsenal as a 15 year old for a record £2million fee he left Notts County without playing a first team game. A testy beginning to his stint at Highbury and with England’s under-21s saw him disciplined for the odd violent moment on the pitch as well as breaking curfews. He was however the youngest ever player to make an outing for the Gunners when making his bow in a League Cup game with Middlesbrough. There was also a hat-trick on his full Premiership debut though he was a regular late attendee at training which was a problem for Arsene Wenger as were events off the field - a string of driving offences plus public order issues.

Loans at Watford, Leeds United and Birmingham City came with the latter club eventually taking him on a long term contract which Liverpool had to pay an initial fee of £6.7 million to break. Pennant who confessed to being a Reds fan in his youth and wanting to sign for the club as soon as he left Arsenal signed in July 2006. Initially impressive when given a run and arguably Liverpool’s Man of the Match in the 2007 Champions League final it seemed he may just have a future at the highest level and even claim an England call-up. There was another good start to the 2007-08 campaign but there remained substantial room or improvement and a tendency to drift in some games.

An ill-tempered and huffy offence saw him sent off in a game with Porto and in many ways contributed to him beginning to feature less and less in Rafa Benitez’s plans. Form when he did appear was at best patchy and a succession of possible loans or permanent deals looked likely in January 2009. Real Madrid were set to make an offer until Juande Ramos insisted his president drop the interest. Portsmouth was his eventual destination for the last few months of his Liverpool contract. When a free agent in the summer he join Real Zaragoza.

In October 2009 he gave an interview suggesting Rafael Benitez’s managerial style had held him back. Though he acknowledged that his former boss was a good tactician and as astute as of his contemporaries there seemed more than a touch of sour grapes in the comments that one partuicular player Dirk Kuyt was picked week in week out to justify fees, a lack of competence in the role they were bought for. Quite simply Pennant often only put half a shift in and often failed to look interested in the plans worked out in training drills and ever so rarely tracked back. Where as the Dutch international he named was winning many of his critics over through work rate as well as the vital goals he was grabbing.

Tom Miller

The Reds swooped for the centre forward in February 1912. He was not the breed of striker that was popular at the time and was thought to be rather on the small side to cope with the rigours of the game at that end of the field. But he made himself indispensable due to an ability to play well in any of the forward berths.

His pace was a key asset and usually pulled him past defenders. He was the club's top scorer in the league for the 1913-14 season but was one of a number of usually reliable players who played poorly during the same year's FA Cup final. He spurned a number of decent opportunities and as a result left The Crystal Palace with nothing more than a runners-up medal to show for their efforts. Another game in which he played badly was a league contest with Manchester United the following Good Friday. Liverpool for the large part looked totally uninterested a getting a result with Miller in particular failing to inspire. He like the others involved Jackie Sheldon, Tom Fairfoul and Bob Pursell was suspended from the game for their respective parts in the match fixing scandal which ensued when players from both sides were held to have contrived a result.

War was brewing with Germany at the time and with nobody sure just how long any conflict would last some were said to be keen to make money before their careers probably ended as a result. Service of all those involved was held to be enough to see the suspensions lifted after life returned to normal. He spent a season and a bit at Anfield before leaving. Ironically heading for Old Trafford after almost 150 games which saw him score 58 goals and win a international call up for Scotland. His stint with Manchester United lasted a single term before he went back to his homeland to join Hearts. Part of a large footballing family his brother John also played for Liverpool and four of his cousins also played league football at various levels.

Stan Collymore

Nottingham Forest's decision to give the precocious yet controversial forward a chance at the highest grade reaped rich dividends in the summer of 1995 when they saw their £2.2million investment become the subject of an £8.5million domestic record transfer to Anfield. A strong striker with an ability to run powerfully at defenders and unleash powerful shots as well as mop up chances closer in he became an instant hit with The Kop netting the only goal of the game with an impressive 30 yard curler on his debut. There were more memorable early strikes which resulted in recognition by England. His positional play was also keen and led to him striking up a telling partnership with Robbie Fowler in particular who he set up a number of goals for. 61 appearances for the Reds yielded 26 goals possibly one of the most memorable being the late winner in the first thrilling 4-3 home win over Newcastle United.

However, there were sour moments. An attack on the tactics used by the man who signed him Roy Evans in a magazine article soured his relationship with the manager and caused much press controversy. Rumours that he skipped training sessions or failed to do what was expected of him during drills were widespread. In addition there was what many saw as a tendency to rest on former glory and fan adulation rather than attempt to demonstrate ongoing commitment to the cause. He quickly fell out of favour as other striking options in the shape of a fully fit Ian Rush and then promising youth teamer Michael Owen came to the fore.

Further spats with the Anfield hierarchy some public some not so open saw him linked with a quick departure as his place at the club in the eyes of those wielding power became virtually untenable. He joined Aston Villa for £7million with whom he caused an air of controversy by kissing his badge after scoring against Liverpool. As far as Reds fans at Villa Park that day were concerned there had been no ill will towards the player.

There were few highs with his boyhood club and a bout of depression for which he earned deserved plaudits or being open about saw him miss a couple of months of the 1998-99 season which he end on loan with Fulham. John Gregory decided to allow the striker to leave and join Leicester City. He left Filbert Street under a cloud after an incident in a Spanish training camp. Brief and largely unproductive stints at Bradford City and Real Oviedo concluded a career he called to an end at the age of 30. Ovideo manager Radi Antić questioned his fitness and limited him to just a couple of substitute appearances. The La Liga club threatened legal action when the decision was announced.

There were offers to make a return but Collymore rebuffed each pursuing careers in the film and music industries. He gained more notierty for striking his one time girlfriend Ulrika Jonsson in a Paris bar during the 1998 World Cup finals and being exposed for participating in the practice of ‘dogging’ in a tabloid expose. It was a scandal for which he lost his contract with the BBC.

He has since returned to the media as a newspaper and radio pundit. A role in which he has caused controversy by suggesting the Premier League’s current smaller clubs should be replaced by those with more storied histories. Many Liverpool fans believe his comments about the club are just as inane and attention grabbing. With no small measure of justification.

Michael Owen

The rise of Michael Owen at a domestic and international level was nothing short of meteoric. His goal scoring prowess was obvious from any early age as he broke all the Welsh schoolboy records Ian Rush had once held. He was a hot property but with Liverpool's impressive scouting network having already picked him up there was no question of any other side nipping in to snatch the striker away. Gradually and carefully developed by Steve Heighway during his early teenage years he was an integral member of the side which won the FA Youth Cup in 1996 and made his first team debut within the calendar year snatching a goal after his introduction as a substitute against Wimbledon. He notched at least once on his debut in each domestic competition and in Europe in both the UEFA Cup and

England boss Glenn Hoddle had little option but to put him in his senior England set-up and as may be expected he also notched on his international bow. Despite doubts being cast over his ability by the international boss he went from strength to strength scoring one of the most talked about goals of the 1998 World Cup finals - a feat which catapulted him to worldwide stardom.

Anfield hosted the player's first game as captain of England when the national side took on Paraguay. At 22 years and 124 days he was the second youngest player to skipper his country trailing only Bobby Moore who was appointed to the job 76 days younger.

As a world class player Michael would have wished to have been challenging for domestic and European honours. Liverpool's somewhat poor results over the seasons since the cup treble was secured saw his position constantly debated. Though still in his early twenties Michael was regarded as one of the premier strikers in the world meaning his name was always mentioned when teams like Real Madrid searched for their yearly capture of a Galatico. It meant virtually every summer became a hotbed of speculation especially when his contract had anywhere less than two years to run. However, up until the summer of 2004 regular deals were struck between player and club. There was nothing other than mild encouragement that the then 24 year old would extend an 11 year association with the club who signed him as a promising schoolboy.

Many fans hoped that Liverpool was in the boyhood Evertonian’s blood but Owen joined Real in a £8 million cash plus player deal just weeks after Rafael Benitez took over as manager. With extensive machinations and delay over a new contract which had just a season to run before expiring and just a matter of months before a pre-contract agreement could be signed with a foreign team it seemed he was ready to walk out the door before the new man walked in. if that wasn’t bad enough the seeming pre-occupation with England rather than the club grated with many who saw Liverpool as a nation in itself and only standing on the UK mainland by quirk of geographical fate and failed to see how club matters could be relegated to second place.

A selfish nature of the striker’s play was also identified. The team had to be built around him and his strengths. Balls were played up to him which relied on his ability to beat the defender whose shoulder he had been sitting on. Owen far more often than not got the better of his man and claimed a plenty of goals though his methods required the midfield to sit deep in case the ball was sent straight back. That meant players but particularly Steven Gerrard often had to play within well himself. The discipline holding a world class player back or years. The change in an already influential Gerrard after Owen left was immense and helped lead to the skipper becoming little more than an inspiration.

When Michael was allowed to leave Madrid Liverpool were amongst the runners to capture him but wouldn’t compete with a £17 million offer from Newcastle having received just half that fee. There was a disappointment that the player didn’t dig his feet in and insist that Anfield would be his destination and nowhere else forcing Real to accept the lower fee on offer rather than just commit himself to a four year deal at St James Park. A willingness to join Manchester United was seen as justification for those angry with his initial departure. Many of those who continued to hold a bond with the ex-player who did find goals and his role in turning the 2001 FA Cup final in Liverpool’s favour broke their emotional ties at that point.

Our days are numbered

2009-11-06T17:14:00.003Z

They all laugh at us,
They all mock at us ,
They all say our days are numbered,

This extract from the terrace chant ‘The Reds are coming up the hill boys’ has somehow always seemed appropriate but perhaps never more so than during a dark November for Liverpool fans. Though October was little better with just one ray of sunshine piercing through the autumnal skies.

As many old hands will tell those newer to the fold there was a time when loyalty was paramount on the terraces and stands of Anfield. It was also exercised without exception. The team was supported in a manner which befitted fans who were considered amongst if not the very best in the game.

We were certainly tagged as the most knowledgeable not just by those within our own club but those outside. Players, managers and our opposite numbers would go out of their way to heap on the praise.

It was very much part of the Liverpool Way that nobody connected with Liverpool ever walked alone and as many can testify it has remained the case. In thick or thin. Triumph or disaster. It has always been so.

Rafael Benitez took quotes from the club anthem and distributed them liberally in a press conference prior to the Lyon match. Some suggested it was with an air of desperation and little more than lip service to mutinous fans calling his position into question. Even the most loyal they posited where doing just that.

Unfortunately it seems a man born in Madrid who only joined the club a little over four years ago understands what it is to be a Liverpool fan better than most who claim to have spent their entire lives as dyed in the wool Reds.

Websites, newspapers, radio and even TV stations are busy running polls as to whether Rafa has lost the plot, possibly the dressing room and certainly whether he should lose his job.

Some of these plebiscites are perhaps predictably showing majorities in favour of someone else taking the helm but the actual malcontents who would see Rafa head back to Spain with a P45 are almost certainly in a minority as far as the Liverpool supporting population is concerned.

That they can tip the scales in such votes or at least what appear to be open phone-ins is down to selective editing of programmes and screening in the latter case.

Polls as open as they can often seem are couched to produce the desired result and the outcome will often depend on matters such as timing - there is no better time than now say compared to the end of last season - or the site they are linked to.

What they never do is address the aftermath or examine the path nor reasons as to why Liverpool’s season has so far been disappointing.

The resulting unscientific and almost certainly unrepresentative findings are then presented as fact and the majority opinion. However, any level of research amongst the multitude of fans sites and forums rather than just the assumptions which are being made from a vociferous minority would reveal an inconvenient truth.

It’s difficult for any manager the reader might care to name to actually manage a club in the febrile atmosphere created by the media storm further whipped up by reporting the solely malcontents who ignore that Arsene Wenger is without a trophy win in five seasons and may well not break that run by May.

Nor that Alex Ferguson took seven years to win a title and when he did it was largely by rolling over a meek opposition for most of the 1990s and some part of the early 21st century.

The internet exacerbates things as now it isn’t just pockets of Walton or Fazackerly airing its gripes or playing at being a club manger despite realising so little of what the job involves its now voices in places as diverse as Waltham Forest and Fiji.

Unfortunately much of what pours out though voluminous is at best misguided and fickle to an extent only the internet and the immediate interactivity our digital age can conjure up. It simply amplifies a knee-jerk reaction to events which takes no account of the need to build a successful club from the bottom up in a atmosphere created by greed and the need for instant gratification and a taste of glory.

All too often a chalice won on the quick fix - which isn’t even available given the financial position at Anfield - can be dashed from the lips while the drink has yet to pass the tonsils. Over in a relative instant while the deeper and by far sweeter taste comes from proper foundations. Dragging the analogy a little further a good grape hewn from the best soil.

Many forget that Manchester United built their recent dominance on that kind of groundwork and the 1960s was the bedrock of a Liverpool dynasty which stretched from the mid-1970s to 1990.

However, little of the Reds’ journey was easy.

From lifting the league title in 1966 until doing so again in 1973 Bill Shankly could only land one cup final spot and second place in the league. Often the football wasn’t great and some players were effectively allowed to go out to grass at Anfield rather than the lesser stage they might have expected as their powers waned. There were players bought who failed to produce the goods so were shipped out to various destinations and those with burgeoning reputations prior to their arrival left with no small measure of tarnish on their career.

Not claiming silverware was crushing for those who had experienced the FA Cup being held aloft for the first time followed by a championship win in successive seasons but team which had achieved promotion then added more needed to be broken up in order for a rise during the next decade.

Only when new players blended into a team virtually built from scratch was another era of glory, though one which dwarfed that which had gone before, established.

That second great team took a relatively short space of time to assemble and like so many it integrated superstars with grafters but the playing field was more level at that time.

There were no multi-billionaires looking at owning clubs and certainly no one who would ever considering lending against a one they wished to purchase. It was strictly a field for pork butchers and local magnates.

Bridging the gap was by consequence made an easier task than the one facing any modern day manager.

Compared to those days the current Liverpool team is far more star studded. More costly even accounting for well over three decades of inflation and as a rule has more talented individuals in the first XI and the much bigger squad needed for 2010.

Back in the days when Shanks bestrode the club’s corridors his decisions were looked at and debated but ultimately trusted. Despite errors along the way those decisions were in time not only proved to be correct but laden with foresight.

Those who accepted and trusted them were not by people who sat in armchairs nodding at the pundits’ offerings or at computer keyboards venting their spleen but those who attended games and despite seeing the rough edges knew just who they were plus their part in proceedings. They were supporters and would roar their team on. Not doing would only see the club go into reverse.

It’s a feature no DVD highlights, the club’s own channel nor any writing with the benefit hindsight will offer. The focus will naturally be on the genius and glory.

Little was diferent for Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. So too Kenny Dalglish whose tenure coincided with the change towards a globalised and all encompassing media.

Liverpool were still reaping the fruit of those years when Dalglish resigned but back-pedalled under Graeme Souness and were playing catch up along with some nice but ultimately fruitless football under Roy Evans while Alex Ferguson put walls and a roof on his solid base made the gap grow.

Gerard Houllier’s reign threatened to narrow the chasm which had opened up by the dawn of a new millennium but only really flattered to deceive. Never more than the 2001-02 season when a platform on which a challenge could well have been mounted crumbled after some poor signings over the summer which followed. The club careered further backwards and by the summer of 2004 a change was not just inevitable it was essential.

Rafa Benitez’s achievement in winning the European and FA Cups in his first two terms along with the fractious ownership situation is according to some observers in the media all that keeps him in a job. They cite those polls, radio phone-ins, texts and emails from the saturated coverage as their evidence of little backing from the fans and seem surprised when the opposite view is ventured.

As a view it is almost certainly one eyed and ultimately detrimental to the club as it gives the appearance of a crisis torn rabble tearing itself to bits. Meanwhile the man at the helm refuses to panic and steers the ship along its course as best he can while those aboard the armada at least every second week follow - not blindly as decisions are debated and weaknesses are poured over but in the right forums and context. Those discussions are certainly diligent and with any thoughts and fears considered opinion rather than impetuous judgment.

Managers who lose dressing rooms do not get players performing as they did against not only Lyon on Wednesday but also - albeit that one rose between a host of thorns - the win over Manchester United.

Liverpool have performed woefully at stages but also put in performances which have not earned a just reward. Even the Carling Cup a competition Rafa has been slated for not having the merest concern about was exited in the right spirit. On a good performance and with a full contribution to a fine match.

Nor would those players selected for duty act in the manner that they have - knowing their thousands of pounds a week are safe even if their win bonuses are not they would as so many do simply wave white flags.

Banners and flags still festoon stadia across the continent extolling the virtues of players plus Rafael Benitez. There is no doubt about the disappointment so many supporters feel at that start of this campaign following a very good showing last term. However, though there is a gap between Liverpool and those clubs at the domestic summit there remains everything to play for. Even the top prize itself.

The Reds will need to be virtually flawless but most people expect this particular season to be unlike many that have gone before. The eventual champions could lose as many as half a dozen games if not more with teams who have previously seen imperious performing badly and haemorrhaging points.

Progressing in Europe unless it is in the Europa League will be harder and requires a heavier reliance on the efforts of others and not making the last 16 will be a blow but the same one Manchester United suffered in 2006 when they finished bottom of their group. Even if the worst happens events at Old Trafford prove the situation is not irretrievable.

Rafa makes mistakes he is after all human but in football any error is magnified and currently examined in minute detail but to believe his errs outweigh his strengths and contribution to Liverpool Football Club is woefully flawed.

With very few exceptions outside fan literature the good done is largely ignored. Why? Simply because it doesn’t make good copy - it is a story readers would not necessarily want to have examined when the other angle is so more noteworthy.

Not only that so would the house of cards some thoughts and hastily cobbled together theories are based on.

Often they are using their own understandings and old data but worse than that are the statistics which often get repeated ad nausea are not just flawed but inexplicably wrong yet are paraded as fact. For some reason figures brandished in the hands of some old pro rather than those who meticulously research in order to provide articles or blogs are believed.

Even those who should know better after years of training and practice informing them that all sources and facts should be checked - journalists - are in the current climate which prevails at newspapers and broadcast media basing their pieces on the same principles. They seemingly eschew hard evidence and the importance of detail being behind every word they write. Instead they are prepared to pass off the same supposition, half-truth and lies.

As they are held to be independent with no axe to grind not to mention trusted and educated sources rather than just the basic newsmen which previously filled back pages their commentaries not only become part of the myth they exacerbate it.

Achievements such as the come backs against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final are put down to luck and the spirit of just a few players. For the 2006 FA Cup win Benitez of course had no one other than Steven Gerrard to be grateful towards who he, as has been related countless times, approached to examine some of the errors he made during the 90 minutes at the post game celebration.

It may have been an unusual time for most to raise such issues as the trophy sat still doused in champagne but rooting out and correcting problems is part of a manager’s job. For an obsessive like Rafael Benitez the timing is immaterial and along with his decision to join fans in a Cologne bar is just one reason why many Liverpool fans are happy to have a man so dedicated to improving the lot of a team they love in charge.

Focussing on that particular night in Istanbul the decision to pick Harry Kewell as a starter has been criticised during the past week without so much as a consideration as to whether it was tactically right given that PSV Eindhoven had stretched the Italians in the semi-final and exposed a weakness to pace from someone operating in the hole.

There were few available to the manager able to perform in such a role. That he was withdrawn due to injury had little impact on events and certainly didn’t change the pattern of the game. It was the reorganisation made at half-time which won the game and regardless of the enforced nature it was not as a BBC panel which further perpetuated the myths about net spend and squad size suggested down to circumstance rather than any form of managerial wisdom.

A right back was taken off and replaced with a central midfielder who helped change the complexion of the game but contrary to opinion often expressed a man obsessed with caution and numbers put three men at the back. They were protected by Dietmar Hamann whose introduction was crucial in giving Gerrard and Xabi Alonso license to roam a little more and the six minutes in which the deficit was pulled back were amongst the most remarkable ever witnessed on a football field but owed much to a manager who managed to pull the situation back.

It is alas a sad indictment of the current mindset in the media and there seems to be evidence of an anti-Benitez agenda when those who previously extolled the virtues of the manager are prepared to stick a knife in and edit facts to suit the angle taken. Their narrow-mindedness all the more galling considering these same names, without exception, have a free hand based on their reputations as columnists but appear content to take a line based on editorial influence.

Liverpool have rarely if ever received a sufficient amount of media acclaim for either past achievements or the more barren years which have followed heady decades. Knocking the club on top is perhaps always part of the media agenda - or at least that could be claimed if Alex Ferguson was not held in either awe or fear by a number of reporters who shy away from asking the pertinent questions.

The triumphs of yesteryear are now only given any precedence in order to beat the incumbent manager over the head with and suggest Bill Shankly or Bob Paisley would never have ruled over a run of one win in eight games. Both did have similar if not worse runs of results not to mention form - which even if a few other things are missing has been shown at times this season and even during the current lean period.

An unfortunate side affect is that some ex-players have jumped to the beat and unfortunately made critiques which inevitably get compared to their more glorious days in a red shirt.

Critics suggest cup wins and a fine 2008-09 season have contributed to papering over the cracks.

Maybe they should consider that Rafa has not so much covered cracks as a huge number of chasms in the wall and somehow stopped the whole house from falling down around our ears.

Just like most of the road to Istanbul Liverpool have been punching above their weight for a succession o campaigns and may continue to do so this term. Courtesy of some good guidance the Reds have worked their way up from prize fighter to somewhere like genuine title contenders even if the shot does not come until 2011.

Rafael Benitez who has not only delivered progress season after season but secured trophies and has Liverpool on the cusp of being a genuine force in the league will be following that back and white patent in a time when there is no black and white just shades of grey.

Rafa is somehow managing an unmanageable club. If he was to leave for whatever reason the Reds’ ability to build any sort of challenge before another new decade starts would be set back. Those who may have called for it may if they get their wish could only realise just what we had when he has gone.

Carragher's star return

2009-10-29T22:02:00.006Z

All manner of theories abound when a player loses form. Particularly when he descends from the lofty height Jamie Carragher occupies.

Though he has possessed an edge which has made him imperious at the back Liverpool's vice-captain has so rarely been lauded outside the confines of L4. He was overlooked by a succession of international managers while a media which gnashed its teeth when centre halves fell victim to inconsistent form or injury never called for his name to top the list of alternatives let alone become a first pick.

However, England's loss has most certainly been Liverpool's gain.

Pundits only now taking note of his name would not usually concern the unassuming Bootle born defender. That would be unless their column inches and hot air were not concerning a lack of form which has bedevilled his season so far.

The term started average at best for Carragher who though a Blue while in short trousers has typified a spirit any boyhood Red would have brought to the team. His performances in arenas across the globe exemplify the character and standards of being a Liverpudlian. Some fans have identified with him more than the club captain.

Not all of Jamie's near 600 appearances have been as high profile as a magical night in Istanbul back in May 2005 but as a precis of the player and man it points to an absolute quality - sheer defiance, pure courage and heart.

These assets have seen him outlast and eventually see off a host of challengers to his place in the side.

Many thought he could have given so much that a 13 season career had stretched just a few months too far - at least at the highest level.

Typically honest and frank about his contribution as well as that of others Carragher has pointed a finger squarely in his own direction for part of Liverpool's travails. He has confessed to neither relaxing or sleeping after a game as he needed to pour over videos and stats.

Causes or reasons for the blip - as that what it now seems to be rather than any form of downward slide - experienced have not been easy to ascertain and even less clear to explain.

A desire for full-backs to thrust forward at every opportunity has been identified as unbalancing the usually rigid Liverpool defence. Though what seems certain is that Daniel Agger's return may just have arrested any further slide.

Liverpool lost at home to Lyon and errors were made by the rearguard but with the Dane amongst their number Carragher looked far more assured than he has done so far alongside Martin Skrtel.

Emiliano Insua was in no small way culpable for the French champion's winner which may have hinted at a continued lack of organisation amongst the four on duty. However, move the clock forward a few days and though the young Argentine made a couple of early errors he along with the overtly disciplined Glen Johnson were otherwise faultless.

Johnson certainly nailed the that lie he has no ability as a defensive full-back even if he does lack a few of the basics. His display against Manchester United was, though largely restrained, little short of consummate. Though not exactly unique.

On Sunday each defender and the unit remained compact and were superbly marshalled by the man with the armband which in turn set a template for the entire XI - front to back and from one flank to another.

It allowed the ball to be won in the engine room where Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes - though particularly the latter - had their usual rhythm disrupted. With play fired up towards the front two - something of a surprise to Alex Ferguson - Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt exploited the doubts and fallibilities evident in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Up top the visitors were starved of the same type of service with Wayne Rooney isolated and Agger in no small measure responsible for Dimitar Berbatov's 74 minutes of toil.

There was no more creditable choice for Man of the Match especially with Steve Bruce not making the selection.

A man who has made Liverpool tick since Rafael Benitez asked him to turn out as a specialist centre back rather than something of a utility man was blocking and whether on the floor or in the air hunting down trouble with the same verve and force of nature in the challenge he displayed in Istanbul most notably - but many other less illustrious venues and occasions.

Stanley maintain battle to stay alive - just

2009-10-28T22:05:00.003Z

Accrington Stanley's battle to stay alive has just seven days to be realised.

As previously reported the club who lie 14th in League Two owe HM Revenue and Customs £308,000 and were given a winding up order by the High Court in June.

A timescale by which they should pay the debt was established.

The club had hoped to meet their obligation by today - 28 October 2009 - but as of 48 hours ago the Save our Stanley (SoS) campaign had raised just under £117,000. Less than £100,000 is thought to have been handed to HMRC.

At a hearing of the companies court a stay has been granted of seven days after assurances that all unpaid taxes would be honoured within that time.

Delays in sources of funding were cited as the reason and registrar Mr Simmons felt able to adjourn the proceedings on that basis. But this is something akin to chasing a game you are well adrift in during injury-time.

The massive fund raising effort assisted by Premiership clubs such as Burnley, Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool has been a success but time is ticking. Though the club remains confident of meeting their new deadline nothing can be taken for granted.

In fact there remains doubt that the week given will be sufficient. Nobody connected with the game should wish to see Accrington Stanley's history repeat itself.

It is a bleak week for the game. Southend United of League One have also been given a week to settle a £690,000 bill owing to HMRC or face a winding-up order.

For more information on the club and their unique history see: http://aredcorner.blogspot.com/2009/09/accrington-stanley-who-are-they.html

Beach balls, Man United & Ian Callaghan - the new look Liverpool Football Fancast

2009-10-27T23:25:00.003Z

Fellow Reds Richard Buxton, Gareth Roberts, Michael Owen and Darren Phillips have teamed up with footballfancast.com to help create an all new podcast.

All contributors are newcomers to the medium. The first episode of the new-look LFC FanCast has been released. Click on the link below or subscribe via iTunes.

In the broadcast the month of October and the games against Sunderland, Lyon and Manchester United are reviewed. Squad strength, youth policy and ownership issues are discussed. As, in passing, is a certain beach ball.

There are also exclusive interviews with defender Martin Kelly after his superb debut in the Champions League and Anfield legend Ian Callaghan.

http://podcasts.footballfancast.com/liverpool_fancast/296715/beach-balls-man-united-and-ian-callaghan-liverpool-football-fancast-031/

The show is broadcast twice a month when a panel of experienced writers and match-going Reds will look back at games and the news coming out of Anfield.

With the resident panel including:

Richard Buxton - Matchday reporter and Liverpool correspondent for ClickLiverpool, FootballFanCast blogger, Mirror Football columnist and Kop season ticket holder.

Darren Phillips - Acclaimed author of several Liverpool books; including ''Liverpool's 40 Greatest European Nights', 'Better Than the Brazilians' and 'Liverpool FC: An A-Z'.

Michael Owen - Empire of the Kop writer and co-author of 'Tales From The Travelling Kop'.

Gareth Roberts - National sports writer, blogger and Anfield season ticket holder.

During the podcast we will also be hearing from supporters across the world about following the club from far foreign lands as well as providing you with exclusive interviews with ex-players from Liverpool's glorious past amongst other things.

Website - http://www.lfcfancast.tk/