The 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup final on 5 May 2012 was a just reflection of a Liverpool side sliding to obscurity. Any other result would have papered over what has been a disastrous season for the Anfield faithful - even the electric 30min towards the end and Caroll's non goal.
As a sign of how far Liverpool has slid, Dalglish started the FA Cup final with a solitary striker - a plan to hit Chelsea on the break. But this Liverpool has a goal shy midfield and its movement is far too slow. The midfield lacks creativity. Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson play the safe pass, are not ball carriers nor winners. One wonders why Dalglish plays both in the same team. Downing joins them as one of those who cannot hit a barn door from twelve yards.
Liverpool is no longer the team to beat. Its a team that many regularly beat. [Fulham did the double over Liverpool.] Neither is Anfield a fortress of any sort. "This is Anfield" rings hollow.
Just three years ago, Liverpool had a side that pushed Manchester United in the Premier League, ending the season with 25 wins and only 2 defeats. It had a stellar midfield of Alonso, Gerrard, Mascherano, Riera, Babel, Kuyt and Benayoun. These were players of imagination,hard tackling (Mascherano) movement and skill. Between them they scored 43 league goals. Torres led the line with 14 league goals. Between Downing, Henderson and Spearing, they have scored a total of 1 league goal. Maxi and Kuyt, who are not preferred, netted 6. Caroll who is Torres's replacement just 4. No team can finish in the top four without a scoring midfield - unless you have Robin Van Persie who has single handedly saved Arsenal's season or Lionel Messi who can net 60+ goals a season.
How did Liverpool morph from a team where every single player would have been a regular international and assured of a place in any top four club degenerate into a side like this? How could Liverpool spend millions on average unproven players like Aquilani, Caroll, Henderson and Downing - amounts that others could have spent on rebuilding whole teams? Seriously, players like Konchesky?
For years, Liverpool fans have suffered heartache. But the last two seasons have been the darkest moments in Liverpool's history. Mistakes have compounded mistakes. Ownership tussles have destroyed the club. And unless the present owner Henry takes drastic steps to reverse the slide, Liverpool will sink into mid table mediocrity.
A revolution is in order. Players like Spearing must be offloaded. New blood must be brought in. While youth must be given a chance, the core of the team must be capable of competing at the very top level. Too few in Liverpool's present squad are capable of doing so. The statistics do not lie.
Do not waste this summer. The season is over. Begin the red revolution.
