Monday, February 6th, 2012
Mathematically it is still possible, but Liverpool is surely out of contention for the Champions League next season after losing to Wigan on Monday in a sorry display of poor commitment and little effort, as stated by Rafa Benitez. Aiming to finish in fourth this season to qualify for the Champions League, Liverpool could have pushed themselves into the lead again with a win over a team that they have never lost to in the English Premier League. Instead, in another unwanted first for this terrible season, Rafa’s Reds slumped to their first ever defeat to Wigan at the still badly cut-up DW Stadium pitch. It was the manner of defeat which so riled Benitez to launch a rare scathing criticism of his players after the game, perhaps also with the thoughts of rumours of himself being replaced by Alex McLeish as Liverpool manager fresh in his mind.
On Liverpool lacking effort, commitment and losing possession too easily during the match:
“That is very clear, especially in the first half,” he added. “We’re not happy. We have to show more character if we want to be in top four.”
There was a return to first team action for striker Fernando Torres but the Spaniard was too often left to strive hopelessly alone upfront during the EPL live match. Steven Gerrard was again missing in action for most of the game and serious questions must certainly be asked if the Liverpool skipper is now over the hill. Benayoun tried hard again but could not get enough support on his own, while inspired Wigan players made sure he could not set off on his dribbles often enough. It was another Liverpool display that cried out badly for some sort of creative input, but Benitez also left Italian midfielder Aquilani on the bench, strangely citing reasons before the game that the Italian should not be risked in such situations where the club cannot afford to make mistakes. How long should you cotton up a 20 million pound player?
With the other three teams (Manchester City, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur) vying for that one Champions League place all in better form, it should now be curtains closed for Liverpool. Spurs managed to put six past Wigan, while Villa and Manchester City hardly had any problems getting points off the same team. Liverpool was very poor and only the players themselves know what is truly going on behind the scenes. The Spanish Armada at Anfield cannot last much longer at this rate.
Tags: Champions League, English Premier League, EPL live, Fernando Torres, Liverpool, Match Highlights, Match Review, Rafael Benitez, Wigan Athletic