Liverpool, Utd, Scotland and Europe

Liverpool dropping more points last night. Time for Rafa to pierdete? Si. Regardless of injuries and suspensions etc it is totally Rafa's fault that the squad at Liverpool is in the state it's in. To go into a new season with Torres as the only recognisable striker in a team hoping to win the league and Champions League is madness. Ok N'Gog has done OK (more on him late) for a young unproven striker, but Voronin wasn't even on the bench last night, the admittedly poor Babel hasn't been given the run up front he needs, and don't get me started on the transfer policy. The likes of Crouch, Bellamy, Keane and Cisse have all been cast aside and have all proved since what good players they are. I'm sure Owen would have picked Liverpool over Utd this summer if he'd got a call from Benitez, but he'd rather spend his time wasting money away on Johnson and Aquilani. Johnson is a very good player no doubt, but £20 million?! Was Arbeloa really that bad? Another 20 going on Aquilani, a player who has looked class but is relatively unproven and his history is riddled with injuries. And then Alonso. A contract remember is a 2 way thing. A player can decide to see out his last year for example, picking up the money every week even if a manager doesn't fancy him. So by that same token a manager doesn't have to sanction a transfer for a player who maybe isn't loving things at that time, that player has pledged his commitment to a club for a certain amount of time. I'm convinced that as soon as the window was shut that Alonso's hankering for Madrid would be over for another year and he would be getting down to business for the Scousers. Bad management. This all stems from Benitez trying to get hold of Barry, who would have been a steal at £12 million this summer, and falling out with Alonso a couple of years ago when he stayed home from a Champions League game so he could be there for the birth of his daughter. Rafa seems like a bitter and confused old man.

I had a little smile last night while watching the game when Liverpool won their penalty. A clear blatant dive from N'Gog rescued a point for the Reds, and I hope he now gets slaughtered for it in exactly the same way Eduardo was in August. Everyone said at the time that the Eduardo dive (yes, it was a dive) should set a precedent which of course it hasn't. There's been countless dives since then and practically nothing is being done or said about them. There were some shocking this said about the wonderful Crozillian, that bordered on racist and I even heard and saw things like 'I hope he breaks his leg again' - 5live and talksport no bullshit. Of course a week later when Rooney is already going down against Arsenal it's 'clever' play from an Englishman, and when Bent is practically on the floor by the time Gomes touches him last week it's 'cute' from another Brit. Fucking bollocks. I think everyone would like a level playing field and I think the retrospective action is probably the only way. The FA spout crap like 'it would take power away from the referees,' surely it would give more power to referees! If someone is caught diving, ban them for 3 games and move on. Believe me, if Wenger is without Eduardo for 3 games or Bruce without Bent or Fergie without Rooney, those managers will soon let those players know not to do it again. It would soon regulate itself because no-one wants to miss football for such a stupid reason as taking a dive.

On Fergie, his lips have once again got him into a spot of bother. He said he's 'losing faith with referees' this time, and for once I'm coming to his defence. Does it really matter what Ferguson or any other manager for that matter say about referees? SSNews, 5live, Talksport and countless others dissect everything anyone ever says every minute of the fucking day. Hell, I'm doing it right now. But for god sake does anyone really give a toss? If he's calling a ref a cheat then it can be argued that is an attack on his character and professionalism which is certiantly punishable, but this is really much ado about naffink. The aforementioned younger Ferguson, Darren, in yesterday's blog has been sacked by the way. Reading made an approach to talk to him when trying to find Coppell's replacement and they were denied, for Peterbrough to then sack him a few months later. Nice one!

Quick Euro round up from the weekend, and 'Pats GAME OF THE WEEK' (good title, no?) has to go to Lyon v Marseille in France which ended 5-5. The fact that it was 4-2 Marseille with 10 minutes left tells you plenty, and it also tells you that you'd rather have been watching that Sunday night than X Factor. There were I'm sure wins for other teams in various combinations all over Europe but that'll do for now. Oh, quick World round up, Becks' LA Galaxy are in the semis of the...league...after beating the colossal CHIVAS!! this week. That rules out Becks from the England game apparently, but you know I'm a huge DB fan and he's got to be on the plane to South Africa next summer.

Scotland finally, and it's been brought to my attention that the Celtic fans were singing over the minute silence at their game with Falkirk on Sunday. Apparently this happens every year, I'm not sure for what reason but the point is there is absolutely NO good reason. Rememberance Sunday isn't about making a stupid political point about war, it's not about making any religious point of view heard, it's not about football quite frankly. It's about remembering all of the people who have died for us, for whatever reason, whether you agree or disagree with the political ramifications, I couldn't care less. If you're going to sing over a minute silence, that one minute of the year to respect those that died, then you're an absolute disgrace. 'If you want to criticise our troops, then by all means stand in front of them.' Don't think I'm anti-Celtic here, the Rangers fans have plenty to be ashamed about following their behaviour in Europe last week. And it's hardly the first time is it - the UEFA Cup final in Manchester was marred by violence on the streets. A big screen in the city centre broke down just before kick off and the place went mad, with fans even going for the bloke who was trying to fix the thing! This has been in line with the fall from grace that the Old Firm are having in the SPL. Mowbray looks a bit lost, so many questions about Rangers' financial situation, and Hibs, Dundee Utd and Motherwell all getting closer to those magical Champs League spots. I can see one going this year I really can.

Take her easy.