2010 Starts With The Same Old Problems

Already though, the same old problems with Liverpool's defence decided to show their ugly head far too quickly with Reading finding ways through very quickly. I sat watching the screen and wondered if my worst fears were going to be brought to the fore. Were we going to go out of yet another completion that we should breeze through? Was the thought, now going through my mind every so many minutes.

Rafa Benitez for once had decided to play 4-4-2 with Stevie running through the middle, but this did not appear to improve things and the team still had a very lacklustre feeling about it. Reading who had obviously done their homework, ensured that Stevie, Dirk and Ngog were all marked with a great passion and this for some reason seemed to unsettle the team and every ball that was kicked seemed to kicked into a no man's land. There was never anyone there to meet it. Young Stephen Darby was doing his best after being given another start by Rafa Benitez but unfortunately fouled a Reading player and they were awarded a free kick. Once this had been taken and with the ball heading on its way towards the goal, it appeared that Jamie was again doing the work of three people. Why the others do not have the courage or the inclination to carry out their duties on the pitch I honestly do not know.

It was becoming increasingly evident that Reina was going to be under a great deal of the pressure that afternoon. Reading I believe had every intention of becoming the afternoon's giant killers and were determined to win the game. Suddenly though Liverpool found their feet and came back into the game and began their own onslaught through the Reading defence. A shot at goal was taken which led to problems which could have resulted in a card for the Reading goalkeeper but again Martin Atkinson decided to let play continue. There still seemed to a element of panic within the Liverpool team with the ball going here, there and everywhere although Torres and Ngog did have a go at the goal with the ball going wide.

Play resumed very quickly and Reading made some very good moves to ensure that the ball was within reach of the goal, and yes Insua who was it appeared having a very bad game made a mistake and was given a yellow card. Awarding Reading a free kick, they quickly took the advantage and as per usual Zonal Marking and our leaking defence did us proud once again. Reading were now 1-0 up and the look of sheer pleasure on their faces told a million stories. Would this wake the team up properly I wondered as play began again. Balls were again going into no man's land but Torres did manage to hit one over the bar. Ngog also had another go at the goal but could still not hit the target and our afternoon was heading for another one of those that we did not really want to remember. Then Stevie G did what Stevie does best and kicked a wonderful ball, which Dirk Kuyt actually jumped over and found the back of the net. We were now level and would hopefully go in at half time knowing that we could pull the game back. The game continued with Torres showing how good he was on the ball. But again this was unfortunately yet again lost before any of the other players could make their mark in the goalmouth. Thankfully though the half time whistle was blown and the players departed, for what I hoped would be a rousing cry of wake up lads - we need to win this.

The second half started with Reading kicking off and almost immediately showed that Liverpool Football Club had not learnt the lessons of the first half. Torres and Kuyt were not connecting their play, so wasting valuable balls and time. Our defence was still allowing the Reading players through too easily and it took the brilliance of Pepe Reina to save a certain goal. Insua had several times this afternoon showed that he is not fit to play in a Liverpool shirt, his concentration for most of the match had been deplorable and he had to be rescued yet again.

It was at this point in the game that the Reading goalkeeper sustained what looked like a hamstring injury and had to be replaced. Would the youngster now in goal be our salvation and let in a couple of goals. Fate had other ideas and Reading sensing again that they could possible push forward for a win seized their chances and Reina had one of what I will call his slippery hand mishaps and nearly let a ball through.

Liverpool then had a period of possession that showed perhaps we could pull the rabbit out of the hat so to speak. The camera switched to the edge of the pitch and showed that Aquilani was warming up. Our part timer and mollycoddled player was about to come onto the pitch. Ngog who had not really had a good game was the player he was going to replace. He immediately became part of the action and began to take part in a few of the short passes but nothing stood out and as had happened during most of the game, there was no one about to meet the ball. At this point Reading and Liverpool made another substitution with Benayoun replacing Aurelio.

I guess that Benitez was hoping that perhaps Benayoun would play his super sub role and give us the goal that we now desperately needed. Torres then seemed to take command of the game for a little while creating several chances along with Kuyt but unfortunately even the Reading substitute goalkeeper knew how to stop them reaching the back of the net.

At the other end of the pitch Church again was allowed all the freedom he wanted and nearly breached the goalmouth. Reina after saving the ball actually tapped him on the head as a mark of respect. But the clock was now running down and both teams were hitting the panic button, which lead to both Torres and Mills being booked. As if to say, I don't care, Torres got hold of the ball, had a good run and with 4 minutes extra time on the clock, shot at goal - that fickle thing called fate decided it was going to be just too high and hit the net.

The whistle was then blown and the Liverpool team were yet again shown up to be just a shambles and a shadow of what they should be. We had been held to a draw by a team, we should have walked over. We are now facing a reply at Anfield on 13th January 2010. I just hope something happens before then because otherwise, I honestly believe we will go the way of Manchester United (lost to Leeds - Sunday lunchtime).

Several things puzzled me during the game though:-

The main one obviously though is why is it that Benitez appears to be unable to stop the rot that is going through the team in an unstoppable way?

Why was he discussing the tactics with Pelligrino when Sammy Lee is the assistant manager? Do I detect a power struggle or is Benitez trying to prove that he is in fact better than Bill Shankly. Of course though we all know he is not.

I know Reina is a world goalkeeper, but just recently he seems to be making small mistakes and his touch seems to be now in question. Maybe the lack of desire to play for
Liverpool has now begun to reach him?

I have been a Liverpool supporter now for most of my life and I have never seen such a ramshackle group of players. Yes we have had bad times before, under Graeme Souness and at the end of Gerard Houiller's reign but this time the situation appears to be a lot worse and there does not seem to be anyone around who is brave enough and capable enough to stop it either on the playing or managerial side of the club.

We are now languishing in seventh position in the league and to be honest the top four on yesterday's performance is years away. Gerard Houiller was shown the door when we were in that position so why is it not happening now. I have said it many times and I honestly believe it now. Yes we have had some good times under Rafa Benitez but there comes a time when people need to move on and I believe that time is now. We need someone who can regain the dressing room and restore the confidence in our great team. I am a little fed up with Liverpool Football Club being the laughing stock it has become in the London press. I want the lads to go out there and prove them all wrong - will it happen - I wish I could say yes - but at this point in time with my hand on my heart I have to say No.