The latest twist in the drama that is Liverpool Football Club has seen Rick Parry announce that he will be handing in his badge at the end of the season. It has been greeted with much relief by seasoned Kopites who don’t hold the outgoing chief executive in high esteem after his supposed dealings with transfers as well as the fiasco over ticket allocation for the 2007 Champions League final.
This week claims that he monumentally cocked up a deal to bring David Villa – Fernando Torres’ sparring partner in the Spanish national side – to Anfield in the summer surfaced. Rafael Benitez once said of his transfer dealings at Valencia, “I asked for a table and they bought me a lamp”. It seems that history came full circle when he asked for David Villa and ended up with Robbie Keane. It was only a matter of time before Benitez or Parry walked. Anfield is not big enough for both egos and one was bound to concede defeat at some point or other.
Unfortunately the issue of the manager’s future is now extending to the supporters which has seen infighting creep in amongst the famous ‘12th man’. Those supporters who demand instant success have been rightly told where to go but the blind faith brigade are now turning on those who are disappointed that further progress hasn’t been made on the domestic front. This blind faith kicked in during last season and was justified to a degree after co-owner Tom Hicks admitted he and George Gillett were lining up Jurgen Klinsmann to replace him but this year those ardent Rafa lovers are clutching at straws. Saying that the club has made progress in the league under Benitez when the team is not nearer to the title than they should be under a manager of five years is baffling. If progress had been made then there would have at least been something in the last two seasons in terms of maintaining a serious title challenge.
Even more baffling is the criticism of those who questions that progress and mentions Manchester United on the verge of equalling the current record of 18 league titles this season. These people think that just because they saw the Reds win a league that they have the God-given right to tell those who didn't that they are wrong because these realists don't subscribe to their theory. I don't expect instant success like the spoilt brats that believe the gospel according to Sky. I grew up with watching the dross Liverpool played under Souness, Evans and the latter days of Houllier's reign so forgive me for expecting a bit of improvement for a team that's meant to be challenging for major honours.
Basically, in their eyes, the fact that Benitez dallied with mediocrity between 05/06 and last season whilst United were adding to their titles tally is irrelevant because they are now making progress? Also, why are the behind the scenes troubles being blown so far out of proportion as the main reason for the club’s failed title challenge? Granted it's a mess and admittedly things could have been run a lot better than they are but in terms of washing dirty laundry in public, things have improved on last season. The Americans are remaining relatively quiet with the exception of the incident between Gillett and a few hundred supporters before the Chelsea match. Benitez had to deal with a lot of difficulty last season but the manager is making himself look very foolish with the comments in the media about his contract and the war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson. Credit has to be given to him for the way he dealt with the speculation about his future this week but bleating to the press about his contract did both himself and the club very little favours.
On Sunday Liverpool drew with Manchester City to leave them 7 points behind United and all but out of the title race. They do not appear to be capable of staging an Arsenal-like resurgence nor are United capable of buckling like they did in that 97-98 season. However a victory over Real Madrid in their own back yard means the manager's authority can't be called into question? Wednesday night’s result cannot be dismissed because it was a major result but it cannot gloss over the multitude of sins that are the club’s domestic short fallings.
