Liverpool supporters need to realise the problems at Anfield go a lot further than the man on the touchline
By Richard Buxton
Sunday's performance and atmosphere was very reflective of Liverpool's season after crashing out of the Europa League three days previous.
Fans had been hoping to go out with a bang after a year that had seen Anfield become the backdrop of the most bitter power struggle between the boardroom and the dugout, but much like Thursday's defeat to Atletico Madrid, it ended with a whimper in terms of both the atmosphere and the on-field performance.
Conspiracy theorists had this game down as being one where the home side would roll over and play dead for Carlo Ancelotti’s champions-elect and based on this showing they would not have been far wrong, but the reality was that Liverpool were emotionally drained after a season of complete turmoil.
From start to finish, the current campaign has been an unmitigated disaster with parties X, Y and Z putting their cards on the media table about plans to seize control of the club whilst agents and players have been telling tales out of school, with some of the latter backtracking when word reached Melwood.
But sadder than the demise of this once-proud club was the desperation of Chelsea's support to be as reviled by Liverpool fans as Manchester United and Everton, which manifested itself in a series of false and disgusting chants about the Anfield faithful and, more prominently, Steven Gerrard.
The captain’s performance, as well as that of his team mates, was a damning indictment of an error-laden nine months with the customary end-of-season lap of honour carrying the same level of despondency that has seen the club drop out of Europe’s premier club competition and fail to secure entry for next season.
Whilst opinion on Benitez is split 50-50, the majority will not have agreed with the unfurling a banner that was hung in front of one of the executive boxes at full time proclaiming "Rafa out - We deserve better!”
This act of fickleness, straight out of the Soccer AM school of thought, has echoes of a flag that was held up during the latter days of Gérard Houllier’s reign. Interestingly, Benitez’s finishing in the league has been not too dissimilar to that of his predecessor.
However that’s where the similarities begin and end because Houllier was allowed to conduct his transfer dealings within the reasonable boundaries set out by then chairman David Moores.
For the second half of his reign, the Spaniard has been forced to wheel and deal in the transfer market to reduce a debt he never incurred.
Also, unlike Houllier, Benitez’s plans this season have been disrupted the likes of Juventus attempting to unsettle him with continued interest – although he has not helped matters by refusing to diffuse the speculation and insist that he is going nowhere.
Losing to Chelsea was no great indignation but, by the same token, it was a benchmark of how far Liverpool as a club have faltered since the arrival of George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
All Liverpool supporters need to realise that problems at L4 stem a lot further than the touchline. That is not to say that Benitez’s shortcomings should be exonerated, but there are pressing matters beyond his control that are stopping Liverpool from once again dominating English and European football.
Column
Crass of the Day: Why Gary Lineker should be ashamed of his xenophobic mocking of Arsene Wenger
Columnists 11:07 03/05/12Shame on Gary Lineker. His mockery, stupid French accent and derision of Arsene Wenger at the end of... Read More+
Column
Stop rewriting history: Hodgson may have got it, but Redknapp is still the better man for the job
Darren Lewis 10:45 03/05/12The revisionism surrounding Harry Redknapp this week has been an education to behold. Suddenly his f... Read More+
Column
Big Match Verdict on Chelsea 0-2 Newcastle: Torres has been transformed in a week
John Cross 22:27 02/05/12Fernando Torres has been transformed in little over a week. In fact, the Spaniard was the odd man ou... Read More+
