I did not have the opportunity to watch yesterday’s game with Braga, so I find it hard to enter into the merit of the performance. From a few snippets read here and there, it seems the Reds did not do much to justify a qualification, and this it seems in both legs of the contest. I read Kenny also said we deserved nothing with regards to yesterday’s game. There’s not much use going into the analysis of whether we either had the quality or hunger to have a real go at it. Pity though, it seems like we are kind of allergic to this competition, or perhaps it does not provide the same zest our players get when playing CL football.
It’s now a case of looking of what’s left of a much troubled season where we’ve seen major changes from the offing: Rafa leaving in summer, Roy not lasting till the New Year, Liverpool finding themselves in unaccustomed relegation zone territory, Kenny coming in, Torres going out, and yes, last but certainly not the least, we’ve seen the departure of Hicks & Gillett and the arrival of John Henry & Co.
Nothing much left really. We do get a feeling of disillusion at times, but there again supporting Liverpool grows on your skin and there is always a bright side, always hope, always something to look forward to and be proud of. The list below is that of the remaining fixtures that the Reds need to battle out in an attempt to achieve an honourable end to a nightmarish season. Aside from the double on Chelsea and trashing Man Utd at home in style I really think there is not much else to look back at to be frank. If I have missed a game or too, my anticipated apologies but we are talking about episodes, blips in a roller-coaster season which has only seen a relatively linear stride since Kenny took the helm.
Sunderland Away
West Brom Away
Man City Home
Arsenal Away
Birmingham Home
Newcastle Home
Fulham Away
Spurs Home
Aston Villa Away
These nine games will determine if the Reds will land a European berth next season, and objectively it does not look that good. Needless to say there are parameters which involve the faith of our direct competitors, but as I always say, the first thing you need to do here is concentrate on your own resources and muster up as much points as possible.
It’s a time when every single team in the PL is after one goal or another. There is never an easy game and at this stage of proceedings it certainly does not get any easier. I will not endeavor to mention the implications and predicaments at play here, but I will say that prestige and finance top the list. We are looking to rebuild, and perhaps Kenny’s philosophy is to become strong on the home front first, and then re-establish ourselves on the European scene. I guess we just have to wait…..and see!