Crouch taught Liverpool so much

I was at the glorious victory against Chelsea today and the best thing to come out of the game for me was not Torres' fantastic goals, not the inspirational atmosphere, but the importance of Peter Crouch leaving the club in 2008.

If you recall, Crouch was wanted by Benitez and offered a significant contract to stay on as foil to new hero Torres. But he said no, desiring instead first team football under Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth. Given our league charge the following year with Torres banging in goals on his own up front, the agreement to cash in was certainly a correct one.

Today, Roy Hodgson chose to revert to his favoured - and oft criticised - 442 formation with Kuyt returning from injury to provide support up front. Based on Torres' phenomenal acidic record in a 4231, it seemed justified to sell Crouch, keep Kuyt at inside right and persist with the telepathic Gerrard supporting his mate from midfield.

Which is why we only have young starlet Ngog as our second striker. Why would David Villa, Carlos Tevez, Darren Bent or god forbid Carlton Cole come to Anfield when they know there's only one shirt available for a striker? Some players may be happy to just taste the experience of Anfield, but we don't need tourists.

So Kuyt partnering Torres today, and Ngog being strike partner on occasion in this change of formation may just make for a more interesting January transfer window. Now that top strikers think they actually might get a game next to the Kop's new son, we might actually see one of them arrive.

Now that I've proved it possible (to myself at least) the question remains as to who we want?

When Patience is a Virtue, but Impatience can be part of the plan for Liverpool Fans

Dominating the football news today was the rumoured bid from Kenneth Huang (or a consortium led by) for control of Liverpool FC, talks being conducted apparently direct with RBS.

This news is bound to excite, and certainly fills me with a little more hope than 2 weeks ago (although I've always had a quiet faith that the situation would rectify itself) but I refuse to get carried away. Not because of any particular lack of faith in Gillett & Hicks, nor any doubting of Broughton, but simply because of the way business works. Hence I wanted to explain my own take on how things might transpire - I conduct a lot of contract negotiations in my job, and this experience tells me that it won't go quite as smoothly as the impatient Liverpool fans will want.

In any negotiations there are two sides; although in this case there may be several. Three on the side of Liverpool (RBS, Broughton, Gillett & Hicks) and no doubt several on the bidding side. Broughton himself has stated that he expects an auction process across several parties, and one that *might* finish before Aug 31st, and given his almost impartial position, I would take him at his experienced word. Kenneth Huang has merely kicked the bidding war off - in a game of poker he has simply raised the pot.

George Gillett is rumoured to be trying to introduce a former Syrian international footballer, Yahya Kirdi, and his group to the table as a viable alternative, possibly because they would stand to make more money back on LFC. Irrespective of this though, he is basically standing behind Kirdi and telling him to call the raise, and raise a bit more. And it won't be the last party to play a hand either, as the bidding raises and raises and then suddenly disappears altogether.

The reason I say 'disappears' (which is the moment that all impatient Liverpool fans will panic, hate Gillett & Hicks, call Broughton all the names under the sun, and the papers begin talking about Torres again) is that it is fully PART of the bidding process. For example - let's say Sheikh Khalifa returns to the table with a £550m bid but on the condition that the other parties are ignored and rejected and the deal closes on his terms only. Let's say this bid comes in approx August 25th, just as the other parties' fight looks over. What do Broughton, RBS, Gillett & Hicks do then? There will be no honour in this fight to the death, and I would not be surprised if only Broughton claims the door is already slammed shut. In fact, Huang has actually already tried to pre-empt this desperate situation by apparently stating he wants the deal concluded within 2 weeks or he's out.

Therein lies the position from the point of the LFC fans, and indeed Gillett & Hicks - get the priciest bid, and the richest group with it. However, there are threatening cards to be played by Hodgson, the star players, and most likely Broughton as well - "Take too long and we'll have no star players at the club by September". These threats in themselves would ultimately devalue the club (we'd take lower, 'desperate' fees) which is a situation Gillett & Hicks desperately want to avoid. So don't be surprised if Hodgson, Broughton et al also put pressure on a quick sale.

The buyers need to close the deal ASAP to give the greatest amount of time to Hodgson in the transfer market (though I promise there were be 'conditional offers' made to players right now - indeed I suggest Cole arriving and Torres/Gerrard so far staying are based on this takeover). Huang has already played the PR game and tried to appeal to the powerful Liverpool fans' groups in saying this, but it does not mean he is the best option.

So I fully expect these negotiations to go back and forth til approx August 28th before closure. But you should also trust that Hodgson/Purslow will have talked to each group and gained authority to conduct *conditional* player transfer negotiations so they can be acted upon as soon as possible after August 28th.

And if you need evidence of big consortiums not having their own way and buying clubs at the last minute, you only have to look at our single biggest threat next season, Manchester City in 2008. Their final day purchase of Robinho before the transfer window slammed shut was a pre-condition on the paperwork being concluded on their deal.

So who do Liverpool fans want to see at the club on August 31st? I'd take Fernando Torres right now.

Liverpool could be wearing B&W stripes in 2012/13

And so we have become Newcastle United.

The torrid summer most fans predicted is still coming true in stages, with the latest being the appointment of 'true gent' Roy Hodgson. Here we have a man who will no doubt bring respectability back to Anfield, the kind of dignity not seen since pre-2007, and the kind of post-match interviews not laden with irony, sarcasm or political intrigue. I like Roy Hodsgon as a man and will sing and cheer his name from the Kop next season, but only because that is what Liverpool fans do - support. As soon as the verse finishes though, daggers will be cast at the Board in retribution for where they have placed us. The problem is not the manager, it is much bigger than that.

With all due respect to Mr Hodgson, he exudes the quality of a Top 10 manager - still one of the best in the country - but not the Top 2 manager that Liverpool fans wanted. I also don't believe that he will have the real determination and 'pull' to keep Steven Gerrard at the club for another 2 seasons. And once the leader has gone, so might the others follow namely Torres, Kuyt and potentially Johnson (given that Masch is almost certain to leave). So we could be left without Champions League football, Gerrard Torres and Mascherano, Jovanovic and Ngog upfront and the kind of desperation etched on Newcastle United faces back in 2004 when Sir Bobby Robson was relieved of his position.

My biggest problem with Hodgson being named manager has very little to do with the man himself. His appointment (no doubt short term as reflected in his previous roles and whilst the club is being sold) is symptomatic of the DIRE state our club is in. Kop Holdings Ltd are shedding 110k per week in interest payments, whose only asset (LFC) maintains an unrealistic valuation by greedy owners wanting to recoup other losses though a huge profit on the international brand of Liverpool Football Club.

The best thing about Hodgson's appointment is that is is very likely a short term option. He had a rolling 12 month contract at Fulham and kept them afloat at very difficult times. His career is littered with stand-in, bridging jobs, and for me that can only mean he is more than happy to help Liverpool out when we need his most. Any new owners are bound to have a new manager in their sights (and indeed may have influenced this 'temporary' move) as has been seen at Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid over the years.

So let's write off next year as a time to blood promising youngsters, play exciting football and perhaps win a cup. Let's focus on the long-term and accept that Roy Hodgson may well be helping Liverpool FC out in more subtle ways that we could ever imagine. Let's not be England and Newcastle and look at panicky short-term fixes - getting rid of the current board is the real job, the big job and the only job I care about.

And it's everything Manchester United have around the corner as well ;)

Liverpool to risk bankruptcy?

So despite the encouraging rumours, I certainly feel like we've been here before.

Wealthy businessmen and consortium's interested in buying Liverpool but scuppered by valuation disagreements.The latest man interested is apparently the $19billion Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who clearly earnt his money playing scrabble on his own name. A 'pro-Westerniser' and half-brother of Sheikh Mansour (the Man City owner), Liverpool could yet become part of a family competition.

However it would seem that Tom Hicks and/or George Gillett are holding out for £800 million (although I've often read this figure in dollars which changes the story altogether) which would ultimately pay off the incredible losses that Hicks has made in taking Texas Rangers to near-bankruptcy. But this is where Tom Hicks likes to play poker.

It is in any buyer's interest to drive the price down as low as possible. To do that, you need Liverpool (or at least the ownership of) to be as unstable as possible. Holding back on any agreement and thereby shifting the power to RBS and Wachovia - who certainly talk a big game - pushes KopHoldings ever closer to defaulting and potential bankruptcy, so don't be surprised if you see scenario this play out this summer.

And the same time, they wouldn't want the club so unstable and unattractive as to make future transfers difficult - the likes of Joe Cole or David Silva not wanting to come to a dodgy club. This all results in a game of cat and mouse, of poker bluffing, and even more uncertainty for Liverpool Football Club.

I believe the star names are waiting for this to be played out, but I will not be surprised if Steven Gerrard grows too impatient and so fearful that he follows Mourinho to Madrid and a holiday away from all the vicious rumours and issues he's been subjected to recently. Gerrard has already changed his mind on retiring at 33, following Mourinho's postiive comments about mid-30s Englishmen, plus he gets to reunite with Xavi Alonso and improve his tan.

Which - if Torres makes a similar decision - would mean that Liverpool are truly bankrupt.

Rafa Benitez sacked?

If rumours are to be believed, then tonight's news about a board meeting to decide Rafa Benitez's future are causing all manner of fury, joy and mixed emotions on Twitter.

My inital thoughts were to be horrified. First of all, it is 'not the Liverpool Way' so sara_not_sarah says. ErinNYC75 says that "Anybody who is happy to see Rafa go is delusional". Meanwhile plenty of people back the idea and happily joke that Sven will be next for his yearly pay deal.

It made me think. First of all about Rafa, secondly about his potential replacements.

Rafa had a terrible first season losing 14 league games, losing to Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup, but succeeding admirably in the European Cup.

Rafa had an ok second season, the high point being the FA Cup win, low points being 25 points behind the title winners, League Cup early exit to Crystal Palace and a pitiful defeat to Benfica in the Euro Cup.

Following that things improved including the close run 2009 league campaign, but faltered terribly in 2010. My point here is that one Euro Cup and one FA Cup doesn't make a hero. However he has definately improved the squad to the point where I wouldn't change 8 players out of 11 for anybody else. He loves Liverpool, he has improved the Academy coaches, and started to blood youngsters and/or make money out of them. It's been a very mixed 6 years with a pretty damn good win ratio.

What of his potential replacement then? Ironic perhaps that Rafa may have indeed hired his (temporary) replacement in Kenny Dalglish. I see the King as the only viable (cheap) option to take over, inspire the troops and regain some faith from the Kop. I simply won't entertain the ideas of Martin O'Neill, Sven or even Sammy Lee; and I very much doubt Roy Hodgson, Fabio Capello or Harry Redknapp would even remotely consider it themselves.

But the only things I care about is the club itself - which will be sorted with the Yanks exit - and the players - which is the innteresting bit.

Torres refused to blatantly commit to Liverpool. Gerrard has refused to blatantly admit that he will stay, instead changing his previous quotes of playing til he was 33, to now wanting to play til 35...interestingly JUST after Mourinho claims to love mid-30s players who are English...

The question for me is not what the fans want - we don't turn up to training every day, nor take the corners, hit the shots or have the be motivated each day. Torres, Gerrard, Kuyt, Carragher, Mascherano etc all do those jobs and need to believe in their boss. Some would say they love Benitez and want him to stay. Some would say that they have lsot faith in the boss and want him to leave. The signals I have seen over the last 6 months is the latter. Carra was furious after Istanbul that he didn't get a wage raise, and won't be too happy that a contract is not on the table given his service. Gerrard loves attacking football and was delirious with confusion over the Torres substitution vs Bham City. Torres credits Benitez a great deal with his progression, but hasn't yet won a trophy in his career.

Somewhere in there I think you have your answer. The players don't want Rafa, and maybe the board have therefore acted. All I know is that 7th is unacceptable for Liverpool WHOEVER is in charge.

One for all, and all 4-1

First of all, congratulations to the team and staff for getting us to another European semi-final. Whilst I was tentative before the Benfica game and had doubts throughout, and yes the score flattered us a little, I was very pleased to see players running around smiling.

Javier Mascherano was immense for me, and clearly captain material. Kuyt did excellently and seems back on top form, and whilst Torres will no doubt get the plaudits, congratulations should also go to Lucas whose positive running set himself up a goal and who was constantly involved.

Steve Gerrard looked like his form is levelling out as 'good but not great' but frankly that was the best news of the night for me. When players like Masch, Kuyt, Torres et al step up to the plate, I'm really happy that Gerrard can finally be more of a passenger - we've waited a long time for that.

Interestingly both George Gillett and Tom Hicks were at the game last night (Hicks looking rather ill if I may say) and I'm almost sorry it ended 4-1 in case it gave them a false impression that everything is rosy. Reports today state that both parties are conducting meetings in London regarding new finance and the possibility of an 'independant' chairman, possibly Martin Broughton of British Airways.

To me this move indicates one of two things - either they genuinely want someone to chair board meetings (though why Christian Purslow can't do that I don't know), or another party has made it a requirement of them buying into Liverpool. given the brief history of their stewardship, any new party would not want Hicks or Gillett dictating things completely. So new finance may be forthcoming after all, especially given that our great keeper Pepe Reina today penned a new 6 year deal.

What I also found interesting was Benitez leaving Torres on despite a knee injury - very different to Sunday's game. It made me think whether Benitez - canny as he is - doesn't mind missing out on the Champions League next year, as it may reduce the asking price for part-club ownership and therefore ultimately work to get rid of the American owners. It's been such a ridiculous season that I really wouldn't put it past him - winning the Europa League would keep the fans on his side for one more year.

However I did cast that theory aside on the basis that Hicks can certainly afford to pay RBS off having sold his Texas Rangers last year in a deal rumoured to be worth $310 million. But whilst he seems to avidly see the potential of both Raarfa and the Liverpool Empire - does he really want to stick around now?

The screws turn tighter at Liverpool

It's almost becoming monotonous. A good week turns into a bad week which turns into a good week.

The school report card for the good performance in Portugal surely reads "Could do better". Meanwhile the headlines after the disappointing Birmingham City draw focussed heavily on the substitution of Fernando Torres who - whilst the manager suggested he was tired - other reports clearly differ. The head-scratching, forlorn and frustrated look of Steven Gerrard as Torres *runs* off tells me that the senior Spaniard got it very very wrong. Take a look yourself. What's most interesting is Torres' shake of the head to Lucas who then moments later looks bemused himself.

Matt Lawrence clearly believes it's Gerrard or Benitez to leave Anfield this summer.

I wouldn't be so sensationalist as to suggest it's do or die, as players are usually more humble in these exchanges, although after Albert Riera's outburst only weeks ago only a fool would ignore the smoke completely. But ask Jamie Carragher over a beer in his local, or Javier Mascherano whilst his pen lingers above contracual papers, and serious questions must be being uttered in the halls of Melwood.

I work on web projects, and if my best designer was taken off a vitally important and high profile project halfway through, believe me I would be furious. I would be feeling very alone indeed.

With Juventus still reportedly interested, I am very sorry and disappointed to say that it's "Adios y Gracias" from me.