Maybe Gerrard really could do with a change

SOCCER ANGLES: Liverpool's abject form against Atletico Madrid on Thursday night only confirmed that the club and their captain are on the road to nowhere

CHANGE IS all the rage, apparently. Change is the one word you hear constantly in the British general election campaign and on changing channels on Thursday night, from Liverpool’s match in the Europa League to the leaders’ debate, it was there again. It made you change back quickly.

But to what? What sort of a game was that Liverpool match at Atletico Madrid? Granted it seemed like a charged atmosphere in the Vicente Calderon stadium and it had the feel of a proper European big-time, colourful occasion.

But what about the football? Where was the passing, the composure on the ball? The contrast with what had gone on in Milan two nightS earlier was, as they say, stark. Then Inter and Barcelona had produced a match that was compelling. It was not thrill-a-minute crash-bang but it was absorbing and but for two dreadful refereeing errors would surely have finished 2-2, which is what the game deserved.

But the 3-1 Inter victory means they have a chunky lead to defend en masse in Camp Nou this Wednesday. They may do so successfully – Jose Mourinho is an exceptional talent – and if so there will again be change in the ownership of the Champions League/European Cup – for the 20th consecutive season.

However, if Barca do make it the final, it is nigh-on inconceivable they could lose to teams as ordinary as Bayern Munich or Lyon.

Which brings us back to Liverpool. Those two in Munich were nearly as poor as Liverpool were in Madrid. But not quite, because Liverpool were as incoherent as they have been even in this beach ball of a season.

Fernando Torres was missing, yes, but what about the play that leads up to the centre forward? Torres must have watched and sighed at the weakness of Liverpool’s passing.

Over in Manchester Roberto Mancini was discussing the Spaniard as a target with abandon. Given the economics at Anfield, City sticking €57 million on the table would surely prompt trade.

But there could be other big changes at Liverpool. Occasionally on Thursday Steven Gerrard had a long pass to chase and make the most of, and Gerrard would turn to applaud the attempt to set him free. After the 1-0 defeat he stoicly talked up Liverpool’s chances in the return leg at Anfield whilst admitting “we weren’t at our best”.

It is a familiar refrain and as he approaches his 30th birthday next month, it is a refrain that must be ringing in his ears like an alarm.

This has been one long season for Gerrard on Merseyside. This time last year Liverpool had just walloped Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford, one of 10 Premier League wins in Liverpool’s last 11 games.

That run left Liverpool with 86 points, the most they have accumulated under Rafael Benitez, the most they have accumulated since the Premier League went to 38 matches in 1995-’96. We know all about the optimism that provoked as last season ended.

But then Liverpool lost on the opening day of the new season at Spurs and eight days later at home to Aston Villa.

Those are two of the clubs above Liverpool as we enter the season’s last three games. If Liverpool win them all, they will have a points tally of 68. Given that Chelsea are one of their opponents, it could be 65.

If it is, Benitez’ squad will have dropped 21 points in a year.

Sixty-five points could get Liverpool sixth place, but no higher. That in turn might make Benitez think afresh about what are sustained rumours of Juventus interest.

And it might make Gerrard think of change too. This has not been his best season on a personal front. One simple measurement is League goals: 16 last term, seven this. That does not tell the whole story, of course, but it illustrates a dip.

There has been, moreover, chatter amongst Liverpool fans for the first time of “cashing in” on Gerrard.

The noise surrounding Torres is enough to drown out those murmurs. But if the money was right then Gerrard could be allowed to leave in a way that he was prevented from doing in 2005 when Chelsea, under Mourinho, wanted him.

But Mourinho’s status may change again this summer. Real Madrid remain enthusiastic about Mourinho, more so after what Inter did to Barcelona. Were he to stay at the San Siro, it would be on his terms. He could still go for Gerrard.

Then there is the intriguing possibility that Fabio Capello could drop England after the World Cup to return to the Bernabeu. Again, Liverpool’s financial plight, added to Gerrard’s personal frustration could yield a move.

There is change in the air, which made a change from Thursday night in Madrid. Then it was usually the ball.

Big week for Wednesday

WHATEVER HAPPENED to Sheffield Wednesday is a question even half of Sheffield doesn't ask. That may change over the next few days, though. Third-bottom in the Championship, Wednesday go to Cardiff today three months after their last away win.

Should Wednesday lose, they will be relying on Watford doing the same at home to Reading and Crystal Palace failing to beat West Brom at home on Monday – otherwise Wednesday will be relegated to the old Third Division for the second time in six years.

But if they can last till Tuesday, what a last game of the season on Sunday week: Wednesday at home to Palace. Toe-curling.

Indebted clubs pay richest first

THE DEVIL and the detail. Having never quite understood the fuss surrounding Leeds United's debt, Peter Ridsdale and the goldfish element, fresh clarity came this week as Portsmouth's base economics were laid bare.

There, amid the millions owed to other clubs and already-rich agents, was the €800 to be paid to a scout troop from Guernsey. Portsmouth had said they would cover the bill for an under-sevens tournament but the money never arrived, funnily enough.

The Guernsey Football Association stepped in but many, many others are not so lucky. Thanks to reporters such as David Conn, we have been made aware of administrative neglect and the difference between "football creditors" and, basically, the rest.

Football creditors – players, clubs etc seem to get paid. The others, such as the St John's Ambulance, receive 10p in the pound or whatever it is.

And now Hull City appear set to follow Portsmouth into administration if relegated. That would be 10 per cent of the Premier League in administration. We can all understand that.