New Manager, same old Liverpool! (Part 2)
The suffering of Liverpool has been described as the “most difficult period” cannot be the doing of one manager, or the one before him. Rafa Benitez, during his six years in charge of the club, is generally regarded to have taken the club forward to what
it was before, while Hodgson has just taken over the reins. It’s definitely not the players; Mascherano and Aquilani could have formed one of the most potent midfield pairing in the world; Gerrard with a free-role behind Torres should be causing pre-match
nightmares; and the squad in its entirety has enough strength in depth. Yet, on the pitch, there is little cohesion, drive, or inspiration.
Then what is the factor contributing to the downfall of such a fabulous club? Well, it started on February 6th, 2007, and it started with a lie. “The spade has to be in the ground within 60 days" struck well with the working class values of Liverpudlians,
but now they hate them just as much. Yes, I’m talking about Hicks and Gillett, two ‘buffoons’ who have dumped the club into a heap of approximately £300 million of debt.
Rafa Benitez was constantly at loggerheads with the owners, and the uncertainty and deceit translated onto the pitch and in the performances. The building of a new stadium got delayed repeatedly, and investment into the team remain minimal. Now, they are
trying to oust two board-members in order to sabotage the takeover bid by New England Sports Ventures, so that they sell to a party which maximizes their profits.
While the team continues to not perform up to traditional standards, there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind regarding the club’s re-emergence. The reason: Liverpool is a club with deep roots, and with passionate fans who live and breathe the club.
While it has contributed endlessly to world football, it values the human aspect of society as well, and the bonds have been strengthened and fortified through experiences such as Heysel and Hillsborough. The Liverbird is not just part of a badge, but rather
a family crest for those in the city. Many already speculate the club’s glory days are already over. The example of Juventus FC should be given to such novices. A club beret of its glory and humiliated in to the exile of Serie B, Juventus have fought back
admirably to become Scudetto contenders once again.
It will take a lot more than just an owner-management dispute to bring down a club of Liverpool’s stature. NESV is very much likely to take over the club. Boston Red Sox are doing well under the management of New England Sports Ventures and the fiercely
loyal Scousers will be hoping it turns out the same for the Anfield based club. With thousands and millions around who truly care, it is only a matter of time before the flaws and banes and the likes of Hicks and Gillett are weeded out, and the Golden Sky
is at the horizon once again.
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