Mirror Football http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/ Liverpool Trinity Mirror Trinity Mirror If Wigan's owner can see that Liverpool are 'in a mess', why can't Rafa's critics? http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/If-Wigan-s-owner-can-see-that-Liverpool-are-in-a-mess-why-can-t-Rafa-s-critics-Liverpool-fans-blog-article350721.html No-one can defend Liverpool's performance in Monday night's defeat to Wigan, but the increasing voices calling for Rafael Benitez to be sacked are growing tedious.If the Anfield hierarchy were to dismiss the Spaniard from the dugout, it ought to be after an adequate period of managing on a level playing field – the same as virtually every other club in the Premier League. Since 2007, he has been forced to tread muddied waters and been bogged down by meddling owners.Many people are refusing to... No-one can defend Liverpool's performance in Monday night's defeat to Wigan, but the increasing voices calling for Rafael Benitez to be sacked are growing tedious.If the Anfield hierarchy were to dismiss the Spaniard from the dugout, it ought to be after an adequate period of managing on a level playing field – the same as virtually every other club in the Premier League. Since 2007, he has been forced to tread muddied waters and been bogged down by meddling owners.Many people are refusing to... Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:35:26 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/If-Wigan-s-owner-can-see-that-Liverpool-are-in-a-mess-why-can-t-Rafa-s-critics-Liverpool-fans-blog-article350721.html 2010-03-10T16:35:26Z true If Carragher leaves Anfield, he should go with everyone's best wishes http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Why-Liverpool-star-Jamie-Carragher-should-be-applauded-not-vilified-if-he-chooses-to-leave-Anfield-to-prolong-his-top-flight-career-Liverpool-fan-blog-article348361.html Jamie Carragher's comments about being unfazed over the prospect of leaving Liverpool in the pursuit of first-team football has, understandably, divided opinion amongst supporters.Jamie Carragher stalls on new Liverpool contract Carragher would move on from Reds The veteran defender is all too aware that a footballer's career at the highest level is very short and no doubt wants to have as much playing time, whether it is at Anfield or not, before he hangs up his boots for good.Most fans know... Jamie Carragher's comments about being unfazed over the prospect of leaving Liverpool in the pursuit of first-team football has, understandably, divided opinion amongst supporters.Jamie Carragher stalls on new Liverpool contract Carragher would move on from Reds The veteran defender is all too aware that a footballer's career at the highest level is very short and no doubt wants to have as much playing time, whether it is at Anfield or not, before he hangs up his boots for good.Most fans know... Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:53:48 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Why-Liverpool-star-Jamie-Carragher-should-be-applauded-not-vilified-if-he-chooses-to-leave-Anfield-to-prolong-his-top-flight-career-Liverpool-fan-blog-article348361.html 2010-03-08T11:53:48Z true Benitez is the master at playing the media and other managers off the back foot http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Why-Rafa-Benitez-is-the-master-at-playing-the-media-and-other-managers-off-the-back-foot-Liverpool-fans-blog-article340987.html Sam Allardyce was doing what he does best when probed by the media following Blackburn's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, but so too was Rafael Benitez. The Reds manager offered a humorous and articulated retort in his post-match press conference that was worth the entry fee alone.Allardyce was understandably given a rough ride after branding the journalists assembled in Anfield’s inner sanctum as "deluded" and their line of questioning about his side's performance as "diabolical".Ever Sir Alex Fergu... Sam Allardyce was doing what he does best when probed by the media following Blackburn's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, but so too was Rafael Benitez. The Reds manager offered a humorous and articulated retort in his post-match press conference that was worth the entry fee alone.Allardyce was understandably given a rough ride after branding the journalists assembled in Anfield’s inner sanctum as "deluded" and their line of questioning about his side's performance as "diabolical".Ever Sir Alex Fergu... Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:50:01 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Why-Rafa-Benitez-is-the-master-at-playing-the-media-and-other-managers-off-the-back-foot-Liverpool-fans-blog-article340987.html 2010-03-01T15:50:01Z true One year on from the heady win at Real Madrid, Liverpool have to console themselves with a good win in the Europa League http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/One-year-on-from-the-heady-win-at-Real-Madrid-Liverpool-have-to-console-themselves-with-a-good-win-in-the-Europa-League-By-Liverpool-Fan-Blogger-Richard-Buxton-article336683.html Life has not been easy for Liverpool over the past 12 months.One long year on from a heady and historic night in the Bernabeu stadium, which was followed by an exciting title race, Rafael Benitez's side found themselves consoling themselves after dropping into Europe's second-rate competition with a convincing win over Unirea Urziceni.Real Madrid they were not but the Romanians provided a stern test on a pitch that resembled Super League more than it did the Europa League. The playing surface... Life has not been easy for Liverpool over the past 12 months.One long year on from a heady and historic night in the Bernabeu stadium, which was followed by an exciting title race, Rafael Benitez's side found themselves consoling themselves after dropping into Europe's second-rate competition with a convincing win over Unirea Urziceni.Real Madrid they were not but the Romanians provided a stern test on a pitch that resembled Super League more than it did the Europa League. The playing surface... Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:52:44 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/One-year-on-from-the-heady-win-at-Real-Madrid-Liverpool-have-to-console-themselves-with-a-good-win-in-the-Europa-League-By-Liverpool-Fan-Blogger-Richard-Buxton-article336683.html 2010-02-26T15:52:44Z true PLayers can only get so many chances at Liverpool, and Babel is on his last one http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/PLayers-can-only-get-so-many-chances-at-Liverpool-and-Ryan-Babel-is-on-his-last-one-By-Liverpool-Fan-Blogger-Richard-Buxton-article336675.html Ryan Babel recently revealed that he knows what is required of him to make the grade at Anfield after a heart-to-heart with Rafael Benitez about his Liverpool future.It is unclear whether the Holland international will adhere to this new pledge or will revert to type but, given his previous form, the latter seems to be a more likely outcome of the 23-year-old's latest second chance.No one knows why Benitez persists with Babel as he continues to show that he does not possess the ability or men... Ryan Babel recently revealed that he knows what is required of him to make the grade at Anfield after a heart-to-heart with Rafael Benitez about his Liverpool future.It is unclear whether the Holland international will adhere to this new pledge or will revert to type but, given his previous form, the latter seems to be a more likely outcome of the 23-year-old's latest second chance.No one knows why Benitez persists with Babel as he continues to show that he does not possess the ability or men... Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:48:50 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/PLayers-can-only-get-so-many-chances-at-Liverpool-and-Ryan-Babel-is-on-his-last-one-By-Liverpool-Fan-Blogger-Richard-Buxton-article336675.html 2010-02-26T15:48:50Z true Utopian plans for Liverpool and Man United fans to march in solidarity against their respective American owners would be an unmitigated disaster http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Utopian-plans-for-Liverpool-and-Manchester-United-fans-to-march-in-solidarity-against-their-respective-American-owners-would-be-an-unmitigated-disaster-By-Liverpool-Fan-Blogger-Richard-Buxton-article336673.html Utopian plans for Liverpool and Manchester United fans to march in solidarity against their clubs' owners before next month’s game at Old Trafford surfaced in the press earlier this week.Whilst there is a valid argument that this would send out a strong message to the footballing world and the authorities running the game, there needs to be a sense of perspective.In October, a lonely housewife was more than happy to tell the world about her grand plan to have both sets of supporters walking t... Utopian plans for Liverpool and Manchester United fans to march in solidarity against their clubs' owners before next month’s game at Old Trafford surfaced in the press earlier this week.Whilst there is a valid argument that this would send out a strong message to the footballing world and the authorities running the game, there needs to be a sense of perspective.In October, a lonely housewife was more than happy to tell the world about her grand plan to have both sets of supporters walking t... Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:46:31 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Utopian-plans-for-Liverpool-and-Manchester-United-fans-to-march-in-solidarity-against-their-respective-American-owners-would-be-an-unmitigated-disaster-By-Liverpool-Fan-Blogger-Richard-Buxton-article336673.html 2010-02-26T15:46:31Z true Why Liverpool's turgid Europa League win doesn't bode well for Sunday's showdown with City http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Liverpool-fan-blog-Why-the-Reds-turgid-Europa-League-win-doesn-t-bode-well-for-Sunday-s-showdown-with-Manchester-City-by-Richard-Buxton-article330131.html Additional assistant referees, a tacky theme tune and mass pitchside advertisements for Seat cars heralded the return of second-rate European football to Anfield after a six-year absence.The Cirque du Platini was in full flow as it attempted to dress mutton as lamb with a competition that has devalued drastically following its reincarnation from the UEFA Cup. Plans to make the tournament a less poor relation to its Champions League cousin backfired to the point of farce.After spending several... Additional assistant referees, a tacky theme tune and mass pitchside advertisements for Seat cars heralded the return of second-rate European football to Anfield after a six-year absence.The Cirque du Platini was in full flow as it attempted to dress mutton as lamb with a competition that has devalued drastically following its reincarnation from the UEFA Cup. Plans to make the tournament a less poor relation to its Champions League cousin backfired to the point of farce.After spending several... Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:37:06 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Liverpool-fan-blog-Why-the-Reds-turgid-Europa-League-win-doesn-t-bode-well-for-Sunday-s-showdown-with-Manchester-City-by-Richard-Buxton-article330131.html 2010-02-20T18:37:06Z true Why I doubt Steve Morgan would have been able to keep Liverpool debt-free http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Liverpool-fan-blog-Why-I-doubt-Steve-Morgan-would-have-been-able-to-keep-Liverpool-debt-free-by-Richard-Buxton-article330123.html Steve Morgan claimed earlier this week that Liverpool would have been debt-free had he completed a successful takeover in 2004. As heart-warming as his sentiments were, is it really possible to stay out of the red and remain amongst the elite of the English top flight?Prior to acquiring Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Garston-born business magnate was something of an irritation in the Anfield boardroom.Morgan was very much a fan in a position of both privilege and power and his views on the club... Steve Morgan claimed earlier this week that Liverpool would have been debt-free had he completed a successful takeover in 2004. As heart-warming as his sentiments were, is it really possible to stay out of the red and remain amongst the elite of the English top flight?Prior to acquiring Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Garston-born business magnate was something of an irritation in the Anfield boardroom.Morgan was very much a fan in a position of both privilege and power and his views on the club... Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:32:40 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/fans-blog/premier-league/liverpool/Liverpool-fan-blog-Why-I-doubt-Steve-Morgan-would-have-been-able-to-keep-Liverpool-debt-free-by-Richard-Buxton-article330123.html 2010-02-20T18:32:40Z true