SOS (Save our season)

Liverpool are out. Out of the champion’s league. Out of the title race and after tonight, running out of excuses. After finally succumbing to the unthinkable possibility of getting knocked out in the group stages, Rafael Benitez’s men find themselves in real danger of letting the remainder of their season implode.

In a cruel twist of irony Liverpool had not won in their last five games but the one game they did win turned out to be as pointless as most of Benitez’s signings. What was more worrying however, was how devoid of ideas and creativity the team were against group whipping boys Debrecen.

Liverpool, again without the injured Torres, certainly seemed to miss their leading striker with stand in N’gog not having the presence required, despite scoring. Although Gerard was back in the team after a lengthy injury, the talismanic midfielder did not have the desired impact he is notorious to have had in the past, leading to questions about his overall fitness and once again, the reserve of the team.

Times have never looked so bleak for Benitez and how he must wonder if letting some of the players he has let go in the past is coming back to bite him. Peter crouch, Craig Bellamy, Robbie Keane and Xabi Alonso, to name but a few, are just a selection of players he could have done with at his disposal tonight let alone this season. In Torres and Gerard, Liverpool possess two players of absolute world class ability but compare that to the other top three and they seem to be lacking in the creativity and match winning department. With the premier league and Europe more competitive contests this year all the top four have struggled more than usual but while the others have adapted to the difficulty of games, Liverpool are finding it very hard to cope. At this same stage last season Liverpool had lost only twice in all competitions compared to the 8 games they have already lost this season.

Attentions must now desperately turn to securing a spot in the top four at the least but that is no formality as they trail occupants of 3rd and 4th Arsenal and Tottenham by 5 points and you can be damn sure that an emerging club in Manchester with money Benitez can only sit and envy, will be looking to square up to the Merseyside club for that elusive champions league place. Failure to reach next seasons champions league would not only be seen as a failure on the pitch. You can be sure right now two yanks are sitting somewhere seriously worrying about the financial implications of failing to reach Europe next year.

Liverpool are sure to miss out on a certain £10 million by failing to reach the knockout stages and as a team who regularly reaches the quarter or semi finals that will mean they miss out on a further approximate £20 million windfall. Falling short of reaching the competition next year would be nothing short of a crisis at the cash strapped club and would almost dissolve what little hope they have left for plans about Stanley park. It would also be damaging to Rafael Benitez’s transfer plans with the boss admitting already he has to sell before he can buy. With the talent he has at his disposal already surely the only two who could rake in some serious money are the two he has to build his team around.

This season so far must feel like a drunken bloody fight in a dark alley for Benitez and his players. They have swung punches but have not had the balance to put up a decent battle. If they are to save their season before it collapses into a total calamity, they had better sober up.