Any supporter deciding to review Monday evening’s match during the reruns LFCTV are obliged to provide will join those present at the DW Stadium in witnessing possibly the worst performance of what has been a poor season.
Comparisons are inevitably made with the same stage last term when Liverpool were bouncing not just the Premier League makeweights but the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid out of sight.
At that time Liverpool’s big guns, the world class stars, were virtually flawless and dragged the lesser lights.
Though it wasn’t just about the artisans amongst the so called journeymen.
The older more experienced players were assisting those of more tender years to grow up as professionals. But they were able to do so at a steady pace.
Now some are showing signs of wear and tear both physically and mentally after providing not just support to the headline acts but being required - for a number of reasons - to be a mainstay.
A very different Liverpool Football Club is currently on display and those big time players are pulling up just as short as the lesser stars, whipping boys and youngsters.
In a complete contrast to last term possibly dragging them down.
Without the same technical ability to rely on their struggle is intensified. Citing the departure of Xabi Alonso - as good a player as he is - doesn’t explain the malaise.
An unusually scathing Rafael Benitez offered post-match comments not even the official channels can spin - well not much.
All the hallmarks of teams he has produced since becoming a manager including squads of far worse quality of those currently at Anfield and elsewhere appear missing.
Apart from flashes a lack of playing discipline rather than behavioural standards seemed left somewhere on the Melwood training grounds. Just a few basics such seemingly relied on by a team desperate not to make an error and flagging when an early goal isn‘t found.
The problems within the club are many fold. Work in the long and short term will be need to be carried out to rectify them. Gathering the tendrils and taking a look identifies that many are entwined and will get worse as long as the public face - that displayed on the pitch is inevitably where the focus remains - unravels.
A business literally based on results leaves no other option but so long as it does other issues are, if not masked, then certainly pushed to the background.
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