Liverpool's cover is busted.
While Rafa Benitez has been kidney-stoned away from the action, Sammy Lee and Steven Gerrard have defied his orders and turned Liverpool into a brilliant team who are brilliant to watch.
Benitez must be livid.
Rafa hates to show his hand. That's why he drops players when they hit form, and why he started the Champions League final with Harry Kewell.
It's basic poker. He likes his teams to appear crap, and be perceived as crap. Then when the opposition's guard is down, he cashes in.
The plan was going smoothly this season. Wins against Manchester United and Chelsea proved that actually, they are good. Very good. But then Benitez staged some ropy draws against Stoke and Wigan* to make everyone assume Liverpool would simply fluff it again this season. Pressure off, you see. Clever.
Now though, Rafa's been rumbled. They could have stuck 10 past Newcastle yesterday. They're three points clear, and have got Fernando Torres coming back next month.
Chelsea are struggling, Arsenal are out of it and United have got a must-win game every eight hours until June. The bookies are still buying Benitez's bluff, making Liverpool third favorites.
But with Chelsea at United next, Liverpool have another chance to stretch their lead – and bust their cover even further.
So what happens now? Can Liverpool still hack it without that comfort blanket of perceived rubbishness?
Will Benitez hobble back into the dugout and start trying to repair the damage?
If Jermaine Pennant starts next week, you'll know why...
While Rafa Benitez has been kidney-stoned away from the action, Sammy Lee and Steven Gerrard have defied his orders and turned Liverpool into a brilliant team who are brilliant to watch.
Benitez must be livid.
Rafa hates to show his hand. That's why he drops players when they hit form, and why he started the Champions League final with Harry Kewell.
It's basic poker. He likes his teams to appear crap, and be perceived as crap. Then when the opposition's guard is down, he cashes in.
The plan was going smoothly this season. Wins against Manchester United and Chelsea proved that actually, they are good. Very good. But then Benitez staged some ropy draws against Stoke and Wigan* to make everyone assume Liverpool would simply fluff it again this season. Pressure off, you see. Clever.
Now though, Rafa's been rumbled. They could have stuck 10 past Newcastle yesterday. They're three points clear, and have got Fernando Torres coming back next month.
Chelsea are struggling, Arsenal are out of it and United have got a must-win game every eight hours until June. The bookies are still buying Benitez's bluff, making Liverpool third favorites.
But with Chelsea at United next, Liverpool have another chance to stretch their lead – and bust their cover even further.
So what happens now? Can Liverpool still hack it without that comfort blanket of perceived rubbishness?
Will Benitez hobble back into the dugout and start trying to repair the damage?
If Jermaine Pennant starts next week, you'll know why...
Comment