Whilst some football issues will need next week’s final matches to resolve, a number of key ones were settled this weekend and, for some famous clubs, it’s not good news. Topping that list are Liverpool who will have to make do with competing in the Europa League next season, unless Cup Finalists Portsmouth do the unlikely and persuade EUFA to let them play instead. In which case, the no longer so mighty Reds will completely miss out on European competition. As this column reported on 21st December 2009, Liverpool have been described as being in meltdown for some time, although supposedly still not near to ‘doing a Leeds’. I wonder. They are in it up to their lugholes and isn’t it about time people stopped giving good jobs to Rafa Benitez because he’s the main one who’s brought this on them? I don’t blame him for bailing out to Juventus, especially if he really is given £60 million for players but, considering how much money he has blown at Liverpool, there is no guarantee of trophies for his new club.
Though they have had some success in cup competitions, most famously the one where Dudek’s penalty-saving antics won the day, Liverpool have not won the League since 1990 and that, strangely, is more important than the Champions’ League itself in defining which of the Lancashire teams is top dog. Winning the Premiership is the true ambition of any Liverpool manager and anything below Champions’ League qualification means failure. Benitez got himself a fantastic contract when he was doing tons better than he is now. I reckon he’s one lucky guy. So does he and is probably packing his suitcases whilst penning his final team-talk all about pride, loyalty and commitment.
Now we wait to see how many of the superstars also leave Liverpool. The only thing that keeps the big-earners ‘loyal’ is the monster salary which flows into their offshore accounts . Remember how ‘loyal’ Benito Carbone became once Bradford City were relegated? When he said he wanted to stay on at City it made the hearts sank of Bradford fans because they knew exactly what he really meant. Will Stephen Gerrard pledge his ‘loyalty’ to his home town club or finally admit that they are a waning power? Will Torres settle for the smaller stage Liverpool now offer him? What seemed almost impossible to contemplate a year ago; Benitez, Torres and Gerrard all leaving, now looks quite likely.
Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation means fans can start getting used to life again in the lower reaches. They might well be wondering about the strange prospect of no Yorkshire derbies next season – a genuine possibility. There is no reason for anyone to feel sorry for Wednesday – they have an over-inflated view of themselves – but Crystal Palace have been very fortunate and probably deserve the drop for all the financial sharp practice that has gone on there. At the other end of the Championship, all credit has to be given to Ian Holloway’s Blackpool, F.A. Cup Winners on May 2nd 1953, for making the play-offs at the expense of Swansea City. It is a great achievement given the limited resources available at Bloomfield Road (capacity 12,555) and just goes to show what can be achieved if the set up is right, with management and players working hard together. I actually hope they do not go up because the only way smaller clubs can expect to win even a few games in the top flight is by borrowing ridiculous amounts and the consequence for that is the dread freefall down the leagues.
Graeme Garvey.
