SoccerWho's to blame for the Reds' ruin?

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Even in mid-January it’s clear the 20th anniversary of Liverpool’s last championship, in late April, will pass quietly without fanfare on Merseyside.

Manager Rafael Benitez is putting on as brave a face as he can muster, claiming he “will be fighting until the end." Do I hear a defiant rallying call to both players and supporters or a thinly veiled acceptance his time is almost up at Anfield?

The Spanish tactician has guaranteed a top four finish when he knows perfectly well there is no such thing as a guarantee in professional soccer. Less so since the crushing news that star striker Fernando Torres will be missing for at least the next month rehabbing from knee surgery.

To compound Benitez’ misery, his captain and midfield general, Steven Gerrard, is also sidelined with a pulled hamstring though his absence will not be prolonged.

Rafa must resist the urge to hasten Gerrard’s return since hamstring strains can all too easily turn into tears if the original injury is not fully healed.

Cupboard bare

It is tough on the manager to lose his only two remaining world-class players at the same time. The other he sold to Real Madrid last summer but the millions received for Xabi Alonso have not been re-invested in a worthy replacement.

If Alberto Aquilani is the man, why did he warm the bench for 87 minutes at the Britannia Stadium?

Injuries and suspensions are par for the course. The trick is to have capable understudies who can be drafted in with minimal disruption or negative effect on the team as a whole.

For my money, Liverpool has lost its strength in depth which, I believe, is at the root of the club’s current malaise.

Benitez is not a bad manager; quite the reverse in fact. He is a proven winner, which is why he was hired in the first place and why the owners gave him a long-term contract extension only ten months ago.

Some of his acquisitions, however, must be questioned in light of recent events.

Mixed bag

The aforementioned Aquilani may be talented but has been injury-prone throughout his career. He spent the first three months at Liverpool on the treatment table. On that basis alone is he worth £20 million on anyone’s money?

David Ngog was touted as one of France’s brightest prospects when he arrived from Paris St. Germain 18 months ago.

At 20 years of age he’s still learning his trade, but he’s simply not skilful or brave enough to be leading the line for Liverpool. He’s nowhere near the finished article and is light years behind Torres when it comes to finishing.

Ryan Babel has spent more time twittering about his lack of playing time and rapping with his Dutch pals than he has demonstrating why he should be considered, while Brazilian international Lucas lacks the physical and psychological presence to dominate midfield despite a stellar junior career.

The exits of misfits like Andriy Voronin and Andrea Dossena to Russia and Italy respectively have, at least, trimmed the wage bill. But it remains to be seen how Rafa’s latest recruit, Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez, will fit into the equation following his move from Atletico Madrid.

As the pressure continues to mount, Benitez must also be credited with bringing the likes of Torres, Pepe Reina and Dirk Kuyt to Anfield.

Perhaps his greatest "signing" was to persuade Gerrard not to be lured away by Chelsea and commit his future to his hometown club.

Shouldering the blame

Many Liverpudlians are convinced the blame rests firmly with the owners. Messrs. Hicks and Gillett have never been welcome visitors from the fans’ viewpoint and the financial restraints applied to the manager means Benitez is no longer able to compete with his rivals when star players become available.

It has now got to the stage where, depending on who you believe, the owners cannot afford to fire Benitez and his backroom staff even if they wanted to.

And if they did bite the bullet and pull the plug, who would be willing to take on the job in the knowledge fresh investment is proving elusive while the loan interest keeps piling up?

In the end everyone must take responsibility for Liverpool’s "Annus Horribilis." The owners, the manager and the players are all to blame to a larger or lesser extent and it could conceivably get worse before it gets better.

Failure in the Champions League and the FA Cup has already cost millions in lost revenue and a return to Europe next season is by no means certain.

Rafa’s reign may, indeed, be drawing to a close and perhaps it is time for a change. Liverpool FC will of course endure, but what must the fiercely loyal fans also endure before there is light at the end of the famous Anfield tunnel?

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