nothing 3 weeks, then 2 come along in five days. That's better than the transport service in my home village.....
The weekend saw the red half of Liverpool lose their third game in 5 matches. Liverpool have the grand total of 2 points out of 15. Its horrendous. What's worse they are currently perched on the precipiece of the abyss (The Championship) and only Reading and Southampton are lower than they. Pepe Reina has seen his net bulge ten times already this season and have only scored four in response. Lets take a look at their results:
WEST BROM 3-0 LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL 2-2 MAN CITY
LIVERPOOL 0-2 ARSENAL
SUNDERLAND 1-1 LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL 1-2 MAN UTD
Now looking at these results you wouldn't say that was a nightmare scenario. They played superbly against Man City at Anfield, only for Skrtel to single-handedly present Carlos Tevez with a late goal gift wrapped, that denied Liverpool the three points, which would have been completely merited. They were dominated by Arsenal's midfield though and although they were the better side against Man United on sunday, they still, nonetheless, lost.
If we look further ahead, that means that having played both Manchester clubs and Arsenal at home, they will have to play all three of those later on this season, away. The only sight worse than Liverpool's current league position, will be to look at the away record. In short, it is horrific.
Liverpool's malaise, one could argue, is as a direct consequence of King Kenny's frivolous and exhuberant spending on frankly average players. (Downing, 20m, Suarez, 24m, Jose Enrique, 7m). Yes, Carroll is a good player, but at Liverpool, it is simply an improbability, given the players he has in support of him, or rather the lack thereof. But then again, it is not like they haven't spent quite a bit of money over the summer. Joe Allen was bought for a extortionate price tag of 15m from Swansea. Allen is a good player but no player from the Welsh side, bar possibly Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale, is worth even 10m.
Liverpool's main strike signing is Fabio Borini. signed from Roma for 10.5m (what!). Considering Roma signed him from Chelsea for 7m euros - aside from the fact he is now an international for Italy (albeit a bench warmer)- this some pretty shoddy business, for a guy who was a flop at Stamford Bridge and Swansea. He is quick and seems skillful enough, but no more than a Sterling or a Suso - sitting in the Liverpool talent pool already - and who for my money, are better than Borini. It really is Extraordinary.
Liverpool are crying out for a striker. Luiz Suarez is a fantastically gifted player. Not just at diving though, but he is so so profligate,that it frequently comes back to haunt The Reds. If only he converted half the chances that he made Liverpool would perhaps, be in the polar opposite league position of third from top and not bottom. That makes the Borini signing even more staggering. They needed a clinical striker.
Clint Dempsey would not necessarily have been that, but Liverpool would have bought a goalscorer with one of the best conversions rates IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE in recent years. But they missed out him. How I am still perplexed. On deadline day, Villa came in with a £7m bid, which was accepted by Fulham, but understandably, Dempsey was more than reluctant to join, as he was seemingly destined for Liverpool. Every man and his dog expected a bid from Liverpool; and it came but at only £3m,
Hold on a minute. Haven't Liverpool got a billionaire owner who owns the Fenway Sports Group, who owns the Boston Red Sox? No?......Surely hes got £7m in his 'Purse' alone?.....So instead, Tottenham come in with an offer of £5m pounds and that is accepted at 10pm. REALLY?...
It seems that Liverpool have less money than JJB Sports. But it is symptomatic of the poor recent history of Liverpool FC's, not just transfer policy, but business as a whole.
So how bad is their position exactly? Liverpool's next six fixtures are thus:
Norwich away
Stoke home
Reading home
Everton away
Newcastle home
Chelsea away
It is quite conceivable, that Liverpool lose to Norwich, Everton, and Chelsea, the away games. However Stoke have proved to be a thorn in the side to many teams. Reading are the sort of team that would frustrate them. Newcastle have oodles of goal potential and defend well. If Liverpool got 9 points from these results it would be a total result. But I have my doubts they would even win one. Reading is almost a guarantee surely.
I think now, the biggest concern would be with the news that Daniel Agger could miss a large chunk of the season. Liverpool are a good defensive unit with Agger. He is a constant threat when in the oppositions half. But without him they are pretty horrible. Skrtel has a great understanding with him. With Martin Kelly out for the season with cruciate ligament damage also, Liverpool are in a potentially very serious situation. But could they go down?
Surely Not.
One of two things will happen; Brendan Rogers will be sacked; Liverpool will drop to the Championship. If this happens, (unthinkable I know) John Henry will take his ball and leave. Liverpool will be left with a mountainous pile of debt and with their sponsors, Standard Chartered in a precarious financial position, Liverpool could become the next Leeds United.
Quite a thought...that.....
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