FAN SCENE: Pointless friendly could cost Liverpool dear

Feb 8 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

IT’S A big 10 days ahead for Liverpool, and I hope that the result against Sunderland has given the lads a bit of confidence for the first game of this period on Sunday.

We owe Chelsea a defeat at Stamford Bridge, and the lads owe the supporters a good performance against Grant’s team, so it’s hopefully all set up for a crucial three points for the Reds.

The problems with injuries will obviously play a part, and we can all share Rafa’s anger at the loss of Torres whilst away on international duty.

Can anyone see the point of the latest round of friendlies? It’s crazy to timetable an international game, and one with no meaning at that, during this period.

Fernando’s injury is a massive loss to the team, and I pray that it won’t affect us too much. Reality tells me, however, that the loss of our top goalscorer will obviously be to the detriment of the team and its performance.

No use crying over spilt milk, though; all it means is that Crouchy and Dirk will have to step up and put in a performance for Liverpool. Crouch took his goal well last week, and is always likely to score. It’s Dirk Kuyt who needs a good performance, though, and what better stage for him to prove his worth to the team than at Chelsea.

I like Dirk. Nearly all supporters like Dirk. He is a powerful player with a fair amount of skill, but he just hasn’t done it in front of goal which is a huge shame. It would be awful if he fell into the Erik Meijer category: well loved, big cult hero, but unable to do what he is contracted to do.

I don’t like criticising Dirk because he is a smashing lad, and works his socks off for the team, but he needs to start scoring if he is to make it at Liverpool.

With Chelsea coming up, the focus is obviously off the behind-the-scenes shenanigans, but the owners shouldn’t think that everything is okay. There’s still a lot of anger amongst supporters, and there are bound to be more demonstrations similar to that of last week. Though the focus should always be on the pitch, you can tell that the players have been affected by the problems.

It was refreshing to read Rick Parry’s words regarding all the trouble, but a lot of fans I have spoken too have seen his comments as either too little, too late, or just a sop to the fans. I don’t doubt that Parry is a Red, and that he went into the deal with the Americans with the club’s best interest at heart, but he’s been far too quiet over the last couple of months, and it would have been nice to see him stand up for the manager and the supporters a lot earlier than this week. Still, better late than never.