Football Leagues » Premier League » Anfield Unrest
Anfield Unrest
Unrest abounds at Anfield
Andy Greeves
At the time of writing the only 'prizes' which Liverpool are still in the race for this season are the Europa League and the final Champions League qualification position in the Premiership. For a club with 18 league titles and five European cups to its name, this wasn't exactly meant the extent of the aspirations for the red half of Merseyside this season.
Having lost nine league games already this campaign, Liverpool are a long way off the form that saw them lose just two games and finish just four points behind champions Manchester United in the entire previous season. The lack of investment in the first team last summer appears to have been Liverpool's shortfall this time around and the natives are growing restless.
Fernando Torres this week urged the club's owners to spend big this summer, saying "four or five" top-class players are needed to turn Liverpool into a genuine title contending side.
"What is really important is that the club makes an effort and brings in important players to improve the quality of the squad," Torres told the world's media this week. "I want to be fighting for the Premier League, the Champions League or the Europa League, but to do this we need signings to come. We need four or five top-class players to compete, players better than the ones we have."
Torres' sentiments have been echoed by Spanish international colleague Jose Reina in the last few days who has added:
"I hope we can compete with these kinds of transfers (by Manchester United and Chelsea) and spend some more money in the market.... All I want and the team want is to be as competitive as the others."
Fears abound at Anfield that, should the club fail to qualify for the Champions League this summer, they could lose rather attract high calibre players. Liverpool Managing Director Christian Purslow says key players, such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres would never be sold to cover repayments on the club's £237m debt. The bigger issue might be how many players are prepared to commit their future to a club playing in the Europa League next season, or even worse with no European football at all?
Moreover, could Liverpool even afford to keep their top players this summer without Champions League qualification, given their financial predicament?
Torres has dismissed recent rumours that he will be heading for the Anfield exit door this summer. However should a massive offer come from Chelsea, Manchester City or his native Spain, it is unlikely Liverpool could turn it down. A Torres-less frontline is unthinkable for Liverpool fans, especially with a lack of truly world-class players (Gerrard apart) elsewhere on the pitch.
Of greater long-term concern to Liverpool supporters is the uncertainty over their new stadium. Tom Hicks and George Gillett infamously promised that building work on the new area would begin "within 60 days" upon their arrival at Anfield in 2007. Unfortunately this has proven to be false promise at present. With the debt Hicks and Gillett have lumbered on Liverpool, having a new stadium that can generate vast income on both match and non-match days is essential to the future prosperity of the club.
With the unease regarding the financial situation at Liverpool and the team's inconsistency on the pitch this season, matters have been worsened with winger Albert Riera's criticism of the manager Rafa Benitez.
"He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him," the player told Spanish radio. He also went on to describe his boss as holding a personal grudge against him and "turning a deaf ear" to a number of his players. Ex-Red Robbie Fowler has suggested that it might be the right time for a managerial change but the millions of pounds that process involves, could Liverpool afford to axe the Spaniard, even if they wanted to?
The unanswered questions reflect the uncertainty that has swept across Anfield this season. Fewer season's ends could have come sooner than this one for the beleaguered fans who's support deserves better.
A rosier future could be in sight if everything that comes out of the club is to be believed. Christian Purslow says a £100m investment, that would reduce Hicks and Gillett's stake at the club is "very close". With the Reds only a point off fourth placed Tottenham, Champions League qualification is still an achievable goal short term too.
The likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa must be looking on at what is going on Merseyside with a wry smile. Never before has such a great opportunity to break into the 'big four' existed and for so many reasons, Liverpool don't dare relinquish their seat at English football's top table.
© Andy Greeves & Soccerphile.com
|
|
