Europe has become a safety net for Liverpool

Even with the turmoil behind the scenes at Anfield, it still does not solve the conundrum of the Rafael Benitez Liverpool

SEPP BLATTER attracts a lot of antagonism for his lack of enthusiasm when it comes to championing English football.

For someone who appears quite keen on the idea of personal dictatorship, Blatter has a democratic awareness that means he is not in thrall to the “concentration of talent” in one country to the detriment of others. He will be able to cite English clubs’ progress in the Champions League this week as another example of the monopoly game.

Blatter has a valid point – though there is a broad and complex context – and those who understand the need for true sporting competition should be in Manchester today. It has come to something when a Liverpool victory at Old Trafford this lunchtime would be regarded as a shock. Not a surprise, a shock.

Unless Rafael Benitez can somehow persuade his team to shake off the inhibition that blights them domestically, and allow Liverpool to perform with the tempo and appetite they displayed against Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday night, Liverpool will lose, United will be 10 points ahead with a game in hand that is against Portsmouth.

Even if Liverpool were to win due to some Gerrard-Torres burst of brilliance, a third consecutive league title would still be making its way towards Alex Ferguson. It would be his 11th title, a record that reflects his desire and creative aggression and it is a tribute to one of the unquestionable greats of English football.

But how does it reflect on the rest? What does it say of Arsenal this season that they are already 16 points behind United having played one game more? This is March.

But most of all, what does it say of Liverpool that 19 years on from their last league title they are again trailing? It is understandable Benitez has been talking himself up this week, saying his achievements at Anfield are under-appreciated, but having to do so means questions have been asked in the first place. And like Blatter’s, those are valid questions.

Benitez’ claim yesterday that a “problem” this season is Liverpool have done so well for so long is not a sustainable argument. From Christmas onwards, at a time when United have come together in the league – as they traditionally do – Liverpool have been flaky. Drawing at Stoke and Wigan, then losing at Middlesbrough – while United won 11 matches in a row – is not someone else’s responsibility.

It is an unavoidable conclusion that the Liverpool manager is motivated more by the sight of Real Madrid than Hull City. In human terms, in fan terms, that is wholly understandable; but Benitez is a highly-paid manager who is meant to earn his money on Hull days. (And while we’re here, let’s be honest about Real the other night: they were nothing like their famous name.)

Bolton players say that when Sam Allardyce was manager he would not be burning in the days before a trip to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge. But when the venue was Craven Cottage or Bramall Lane or somewhere that would damage Bolton if they lost, Allardyce would be “at it” all day every day.

Benitez is on safer ground when he speaks of the turmoil behind the scenes at Liverpool. That is not a man seeking an excuse, that is a destabilising factor for any manager. But we take that into account; it still does not solve the conundrum of the Benitez Liverpool.

The man himself, being a co-author, is part of it all. His peculiar January diatribe at Ferguson’s influence in England was hugely entertaining for the neutral, but it is said to have put players in the Liverpool dressingroom on edge. It is the sort of thing that will come in autobiographies of the future.

What has happened since cannot be laid only at Benitez’ feet – the debilitating absence of Fernando Torres can never be overlooked – but a squad assembled with greater cohesion would have been able to more than partially cope.

Whereas Ferguson has bought Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra over the past six years – and groomed Jonny Evans and the boys from Brazil – Benitez’ squad still looks thin defensively. In attack Liverpool can also be unpredictable – as in bad – as opposed to United there who are generally predictably good, Fergsuon having acquired talent of the stature of Ronaldo, Rooney and Berbatov to tack on to the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Ferguson has been the more rounded buyer. Yes, he is richer but he did not try to buy Gareth Barry for almost €21.7 million.

(Barry arrives at Anfield next weekend with Aston Villa).

Benitez did spend that sum on Robbie Keane of course. Then very quickly regretted it. Where was the strategy? And when things got tough, where was the perseverance? When Torres got injured, where was the cover? At Tottenham.

Imagine Robbie Keane on his toes playing for Liverpool at Anfield today. The club would be given everything by someone who would understand the fixture’s enormity and who would cherish the opportunity to be part of it.

Unfortunately the Champions League has become a safety net for Liverpool and Benitez. And while on the one hand he can complain about United’s wealth, the money Liverpool receive year after year as part of it means they can destroy Real Madrid with a player born in Madrid and bought for €23.8 million.

Newcastle producing a compelling conclusion

THERE ARE other matches on in England today. Two worth special mention are those at Hull and Chester. Hull City host Newcastle United in a game at the bottom of the Premier League. Although it is forgivable to be dulled by the top of the division, Hull have been part of the fascination of this season elsewhere, firstly in mid-table, then slipping. Newcastle are rarely anything other than compelling.

But not so suddenly the drama has changed for Newcastle. They have become part of a reality-watch. After Blackburn leapt above them in midweek, there they sit fourth-bottom with only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone. Lose today and Newcastle will be sweating in public. Next Saturday they have Arsenal at St James’ Park, then Chelsea. By early next month things could look a whole lot worse.

For Hull, victory would take them to 35 points and in sight of a safety net all of their own. But Michael Owen is back for Newcastle and much is expected from the man who started out banging in goals around Chester as a schoolboy.

Chester City could do with him. They are 90th in the four divisions and today face Grimsby Town, who are 91st. There is a good chance one of the clubs will leave the Football League in May. Grimsby are taking 12 coachloads of supporters across to Chester. Manchester has no monopoly on passion.