First things first: the Carling Cup isn’t the most glamorous, or attractive competition in the world. Of that, we are all completely aware. Although it does have one or two things going for it; namely that, without it, Liverpool would be behind Manchester United in overall trophy haul (Charity Shields and Super Cups included) on 51, with United 3 ahead on 54. With it, however, Liverpool are level on 58, which feels much better. So it does have its uses even if, in most seasons it feels like nothing more than a distraction. This season, the Carling Cup presented the clubs’ best chance to win a trophy. Given last nights’ utter debacle, we have to look at it as a big opportunity lost.
With the Premier League all but beyond us; the FA Cup being a competition the other top sides take more seriously (hence, lessening LFC’s chances) and the Europa League a season-long slog of almost 20 games, the Carling Cup, represented a shining light for Liverpool – six games, and there is a trophy (and a massive morale boost) leading into the final third of the season. Not only could that have aided Liverpool’s push for that much-needed Champions League place but it would have boosted the fans morale too, instilling more belief in the current manager. The four English Champions League entrants have already been reduced to 2 and Manchester City are out (with more to follow). That coupled with Everton’s defeat the night before, and the possibility of a cup derby was also out of the question as well. All Liverpool needed was a little bit of luck in the draw and things could really have started to look up. And the teams chosen by the top sides over the last few nights suggest that none of them are taking it very seriously.
With the side Liverpool had out last night, defeat was not an option. This was not a League Cup squad of years past, when only youth, reserve and fringe players made the side. This side contained regular first teamers – Agger, Lucas, Ngog and Babel, along with a number of very senior players. Coupled with a mix of talented youngsters such as Pacheco and Amoo, Northampton Town should have been a breeze. That statement is not uninformed arrogance either, it is a fact that even Northampton supporters would agree with. The side Liverpool fielded last night was (or should have been) exponentially better than the opposition. You only had to observe the reaction from Town’s travelling support to realise just what a result it was for them; this season will probably not get any better. With that in mind, a lot of Liverpool fans will have woken up this morning feeling like they’d just witnessed a rerun of the 2005 final in Istanbul, without the comeback and penalties glory, such was the nature and gravity of this defeat, and what it could indicate for the current regime and some of the players involved.
EA Sports’ New MMA Game!
i can see us using a much stronger side in the FA cup even if we get drawn against an even lower league side
no excuses bad management, better players should have been on the bench as a safety net, that is the third costly mistake roy as made, not getting a striker in and changing a team that was in control at old trafford. rafa did the same in the fa cup, embarrassing our great club needlessly, twice roy has rested the team and no points to show for it, bringingan untried kid on to save the game should not happen liverpool
Getting knocked out the cup is fine as it’s a waste of time anyway.
I can’t however excuse our performance or the idiotic manager we employed a month or two ago.
Roy Hodgson is complete and utter moron if he thinks he can just apologise and forget about it. The best thing he can do is quit so that we bring in someone who knows what it’s like to manage a big club in a big league.
Roy never had a clue and nothing has changed.
The time to start worrying was when Rafa left.
the time to start worrying is if we dont get the right players in come january and dont get the right players out to raise the money, babel and lukas, we have some great young prospects who need to be upgraded to the reserves regardless of age to bring them on quickly. kuyt has been missed and if the right team is picked with positive tactics we can still finish top four.
The cup is not really something given too much respect but how many of those Northampton players would make a Liverpool squad ?
We will really find out where the club is at in the next 4 or 5 EPL games then we should start worrying if alls not good.
spot on Brian…
But you don’t need to be einstien to work that out……..
just need half a brain!
The fans suddenly accept defeat under this regime far too well fort liking :s
when was that ever the case at LFC ? Never in my lifetime!
Roy must be removed Now or we will Out of all competions by November and nobody will surprised. but I will be in shock that the club allowed this to happen, all while Kenny wad ready to steady the ship.
my mates don’t even take the Mick out if me anymore as I told them we would be in this sad state when he was appointed and rafa WALKED!
what have things come to when we are no longer get laughed at but even the odd bit of sympathy from rivals!
it’s not a joke.. it’s true we are managed by Roy Hodgson and pinching yourself won’t help!
we are a club riddled with thorns…
the first step should be to appoint King Kenny!
@Lfc4life – totally agree. i walked into work today expecting a barage of abuse and barely anyone said anything. People are begining to feel sorry for us. We had low points with Rafa but you still felt hope. with Roy there is no hope. bad times!
swag – mate it’s good to know there are fans that feel this way, so hopefully maybe something will done…
don’t get me wrong I like Roy… he a genuine guy, but not what the club needs.
bare with me .. im using the iPhone so sometimes I don’t make sense…lol
.
.
.
Play attacking game after this games all…
.
Play 4-3-3 formation…
.
.
——————————Reina————————————-
.
.
.
—————–Carragher——-Skrtel/Agger——————–
.
Johnson——————————————————-Aurelio
.
.
.
.————Gerrard——–Meireles——–Cole——————
.
.
.
—————–Kuyt———-Torres———Babel / Jova——–
.
(Im Akash here)
(Anybody give comment please about this formation)
akash, knonchesky is not as good a footballer as aurelio but he is stronger and does more running and deserves a bit more time, otherwise you have picked our best team
.
.
.
We have to stop the stupid defensive game and go for attacking game.
.
.
Play 4-3-3 formation…
.
.
——————————Reina————————————-
.
.
.
—————–Carragher——-Skrtel/Agger——————–
.
Johnson——————————————————-Konchesky
.
.
.
.————Gerrard——–Meireles——–Cole——————
.
.
.
—————–Kuyt———-Torres———Babel / Jova——–
.
(Im Akash here)
(Anybody give comment please about this formation)