Storm clouds gathering over Anfield
Any fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United is an occasion to be savoured, but for the red half of Merseyside, this upcoming fixture on Sunday October 25 is particularly significant.
Following the last-gasp defeat to Lyons of France in the Champions League on Tuesday night, Liverpools season appears to be hanging by a thread.
The loss against Lyons was Liverpool’s fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions. The last time that happened, this writer was five years old.
Two defeats in Europe have left the reds with a mounatin to climb to reach the knock out rounds of the world’s most prestigeous club tournament, while back-to-back defeats in the Premier League have left Rafa Benitez’s men seven points off the pace in eighth place, having lost twice as many games as club did throughout the entire 2008-09 season.
After pushing United almost to the wire, this was the season that many people expected Liverpool to reach the promised land once again.
The sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid dealt their title aspirations a blow - the silky Spaniard had arguably been Liverpool’s best player last term.
But with the core of the team still intact, together with the additions of Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani, many Liverpool fans believed they still had the quality needed to challange.
Subsequently, many have watched on in disbelief as the team has struggled to find any consistency or rhythm.
Now they face their most bitter rivals, staring a fifth straight defeat in the face.
For the first time in his five years at the club, Benitez is coming under pressure from the Liverpool fans.
The 2005 Champions League success ensured a place in Liverpool FC folklore for Benitez, but unless his side shows signs of recovery, starting on Sunday, the rumblings of discontent will grow louder.
What Benitez hasn’t had this season, is luck. The reds have been denied a number of clear cut penalties and then conceded the ‘beach ball goal’ away at Sunderland last Saturday.
Heading into Sunday’s match, Benitez faces one of the worst injury crisises in his managerial career
It is likely that he will be without his captain and talisman, Steven Gerrard, and potentially his match winning striker, Fernando Torres. New signing Aquilani has just returned from injury and isn’t fit, while the other new arrival, Johnson, also missed Tuesday’s match with an ankle injury.
These four represent international players and would seriously affect any side, but the Liverpool squad seems to be lacking strength in depth.
The blame for this can be laid mostlyat the feet of messers Gillett and Hicks. Since the duo took over the club, Liverpools financial position has lurched from bad to worse.
The promise of a new stadium has no sign of materialising, neither does a significant investment in playing personnel.
Benitez is trying to compete with the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal and Man City with his hands tied behind his back, although it must be argued that a number of his signings aren’t up to the standard required.
This season has all the hallmarks of the last time Liverpool finished second in the league.
In 2002, Gerard Houllier’s side finished second to Arsenal, but failed to build on their position, following a spate of poor signings.
The blame there must be shouldered by Houllier as he was backed by the board to makethose signings. Benitez, however, has not been able to bring in all the players he desired.
Hicks and Gillett are scouring the globe for investors and many fans are hoping new owners will be in place for the January transfer window.
Until then Benitez and the Kopites will have to make do with what they have.
But it is not all doom and gloom. Despite the poor start, the reds are only seven pointd behind United with 29 games remaining. A win on Sunday will reduce the gap and spread confidence through the side.
In recent times, Liverpool have been at their best when their backs are against the wall and when everyone has written them off; half time in Istanbul being the prime example.
Another ray of sunshine was the appearance of Aquilani for the reserves against Sunderland on Wednesday as he looks to step up his quest to regain full fitness.
Sunday will come too soon for the man they are calling Aquaman, but his appearance has lifted the spirits of Liverpool fans.
A victory over United will give all concerned with the club an almighty lift, particularly if it comes at the expense of former Red Michael Owen.
While things certainly haven’t gone to plan as yet at Anfield, there is still plenty to play for and as the old song goes, “Walk on, walk on. With hope in you heart.”
As long as that sentiment rings true at L4, they’ll never give up.