White Suburban Punk

Liverpool crashed out of the Europa League last week after they beat Atletico Madrid, 2-1, at Anfield, but lost on aggregate on away goals.  The Atletico goal in the 12th minute of extra time killed them.  Yet another stunning disappointment on the season.

Sunday, they hosted Chelsea in the Premiership, trying to keep their slim hopes alive for fourth place.  In a humiliating, painful, soulless game, they lost, 2-0, closing the home season.  It was relatively even until the 33rd minute, when Steven Gerrard gave the ball away to Didier Drogba in perhaps the worst play of Gerrard’s career.  After a Frank Lampard goal in the 54th minute, Liverpool looked completely beaten and probably deserved to lose by more than two.

So they’re out of the Europa League and eliminated from any chance for the top 4 and the Champions League.  They have already clinched a Europa League spot for next year, so this weekend’s game at Hull has no significance whatsoever, they’re just playing out the string.  Rafa Benitez is supposed to meet with the club’s chairman next week to find out what the hell is going on.  Reports out of Italy suggest that Juventus want an answer from Rafa soon, but things may be complicated because of his long term contract with Liverpool.  There doesn’t appear to be any imminent news from the investor/ownership/sale of the team front, so who knows how much money (if any) they will have for the transfer budget for the summer.  These are dark days at Anfield.