Recently by Larry Moran

The defeat last night against Mighty Wigan finally quashed the last bit of hope I had of us getting something out of this campaign.

Another listless performance from a side that may well have had one eye on the away game at Lille this Thursday but dropping three points makes life a lot easier for our rivals for fourth place.

Man City and Aston Villa in particular who now have games galore in hand and gives them both plenty of margin for error.

Disappointing defeat at the Emirates during the week. Maybe it was deserved as we didn't show much going forward but a point down there would have satisfied most Liverpool fans.

As it was, the real winners on the night were Arsenal themselves as Chelsea lost and United drew so the three points they gained kept them in the title race.

As for us in our race for fourth place, only time will tell what the effect of Howard Webb's denial of a potential late penalty for Cesc Fabregas' hand ball will have.

Below, just for a bit of fun, is how I think a meeting over the issue between Howard Webb and Keith Hackett, the general manager of the Professional Game Match Official Board might have gone.

It was nice to beat the blue meanies from across that big empty park where a new stadium should now be but we all know that we have serious problems off the pitch.

It's getting to the point in the Merseyside Derby these days that we might as well start off with ten-a-side to get the sendings off over with.

The tackling on the field is as nasty as the atmosphere off it these days and I can't see the city ever getting back to the days of the Friendly Derby.

I was going to write about the fact that thus far we haven't made any significant signings during the transfer window but then I heard Tom Hicks Jnr had resigned.

Well blow me. What a surprise.

The surprise being that he actually did fall on his sword after the abusive email he sent to a concerned Liverpool fan. The Guy was only voicing the concerns we all have regarding the "stewardship" of Hicks and Gillett and the response of Hicks Jnr I think sums up the attitude the Americans have had towards us from Day One.

Another defeat at Pompey and although the Mascherano sending-off was a key moment you have to also say that the referee gave us nothing all day.

Rafa's post-match ironic dig at the ref went over a few heads to be honest and you would have to say referee Lee Mason's favourite book must be the Iliad.

Mind you, you need a decent side with confidence, desire and determination to overcome a dodgy ref and the only team that bore those hallmarks yesterday were wearing blue I'm afraid.