Anfield's wasted space could be put to good use
Paul Doyle
guardian.co.uk,
Sunday August 31 2008 20:31 BST
What's the point in moving into a multi-storey mansion if you don't even use all the rooms in your current bungalow? That, perhaps, is the question potential creditors asked Liverpool when the Reds recently came looking for a mortgage for their notional new stadium. By way of answer, Liverpool presumably sat in confused silence, drool slowly seeping from their mouths.
The solution is obvious - which is perhaps why Rafa Benitez refuses to recognise it.
The Anfield pitch is 101 metres long and 68 metres wide. What a waste! The minimum permitted dimensions are 90mx45m. That means Liverpool could narrow their pitch by over 11 metres on each side, ie remove the flanks that they've long left fallow anyway. They could also shorten the pitch by 11 metres, thereby giving an even greater role to one of their most creative players, Pepe Reina.
Not only would this condensed pitch suit Benitez's guileless brand of football, but extra seating could be erected on the rezoned metres, adding thousands to Anfield's capacity, almost rendering a new stadium redundant, and freeing up more money for Benitez to spend on strikers whose lack of pace makes them ideal for conversion into ineffective wingers. If ever one decides to emulate Ryan Babel by saving the side from costly Champions League humiliation with a wonderful cross from near the touchline in the 27th minute of extra-time against Belgian hicks, he can be dropped for the next match so that Robbie Keane can again totter fruitlessly down the channels.
If Fernando Torres then gets injured chasing yet another over-hit pass, Keane can be left marooned on the left while a cut-price import from PSG reserves lurches around up front instead of the £20m striker. His confidence duly shattered, Keane will be ready for redeployment in his preferred position, where, when a punt over the top lands in his path in the 72nd minute, he will dither uncharacteristically and allow someone such as Nigel Reo-Coker to hurtle back and cut him down with an embarrassing last-ditch tackle. Then Keane can be withdrawn – taking the value of the strikers who've left the pitch in the course of the 0-0 draw with a team beaten by Stoke the previous weekend to £50m – and replaced by Yossi Benayoun, who no longer knows where his best position is but is sure that if he does excel he will be benched for the next match.
Paul Doyle
guardian.co.uk,
Sunday August 31 2008 20:31 BST
What's the point in moving into a multi-storey mansion if you don't even use all the rooms in your current bungalow? That, perhaps, is the question potential creditors asked Liverpool when the Reds recently came looking for a mortgage for their notional new stadium. By way of answer, Liverpool presumably sat in confused silence, drool slowly seeping from their mouths.
The solution is obvious - which is perhaps why Rafa Benitez refuses to recognise it.
The Anfield pitch is 101 metres long and 68 metres wide. What a waste! The minimum permitted dimensions are 90mx45m. That means Liverpool could narrow their pitch by over 11 metres on each side, ie remove the flanks that they've long left fallow anyway. They could also shorten the pitch by 11 metres, thereby giving an even greater role to one of their most creative players, Pepe Reina.
Not only would this condensed pitch suit Benitez's guileless brand of football, but extra seating could be erected on the rezoned metres, adding thousands to Anfield's capacity, almost rendering a new stadium redundant, and freeing up more money for Benitez to spend on strikers whose lack of pace makes them ideal for conversion into ineffective wingers. If ever one decides to emulate Ryan Babel by saving the side from costly Champions League humiliation with a wonderful cross from near the touchline in the 27th minute of extra-time against Belgian hicks, he can be dropped for the next match so that Robbie Keane can again totter fruitlessly down the channels.
If Fernando Torres then gets injured chasing yet another over-hit pass, Keane can be left marooned on the left while a cut-price import from PSG reserves lurches around up front instead of the £20m striker. His confidence duly shattered, Keane will be ready for redeployment in his preferred position, where, when a punt over the top lands in his path in the 72nd minute, he will dither uncharacteristically and allow someone such as Nigel Reo-Coker to hurtle back and cut him down with an embarrassing last-ditch tackle. Then Keane can be withdrawn – taking the value of the strikers who've left the pitch in the course of the 0-0 draw with a team beaten by Stoke the previous weekend to £50m – and replaced by Yossi Benayoun, who no longer knows where his best position is but is sure that if he does excel he will be benched for the next match.
Sums up my frustration anyway.
Great Post, couldn't have said it better...Spot on with everything 
Liverpool FC - League Champions 2011/2012 
Comment