Gifted Midfielder Languishing In The Wing

Has the man touted with Rafalution lost his marbles? First came the 99 back to back games where he constantly fielded a different 11.
Rotating his players with an eye on the long arduous season was his reasoning for the continuous chop and change. That is perhaps the primary reason why the Kop side find themselves in a paltry ninth position in the Premier League after a dismal performance against a fired up Gunners side. Emirates Stadium went into delirium when the Gunners fired three past the hapless Jose Reina to leave Liverpool 14 points behind leaders, Manchester United.
It was the clash between two titanic English sides, with victory for either side being quintessential as both their title aspirations are pivoted upon this victory. Such was the massive proportions of this fixture, and with Momo Sissoko out for three months, it was only logical to return Steven Gerard the role pulling the strings together in the middle of the park.
Rafa Benitez had other ideas though. In some bizarre twist of fate, he left Gerard marooned on the right flank, while he brought in an old head in the form of Bolo Zenden in a bit to add steel to the midfield.
When compared to a dynamic midfield boasting the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Gilberto Silva, the Pool midfield still comes off as lightweight.
Exactly why in the world a man who was essentially a winger be situated in the middle, instead of the talismanic Gerard, is anyone's guess.
The Anfield skippers' swashbuckling styled marauding raids in the box and exquisite passing ability did not weigh up to the gaffer's plans for the middle. Let's face it, Gerard is not in the Beckham mould where he specialises in crossing. Gerard is a whole lot more. He is fiercely competitive and box to box runs are part and parcel of his game. Gerard in his element can single handedly lift the morale of his team and on occasions won the game himself.
Such a maverick of a player was seen looking forlorn and desolate on the right flank in the weekend highlight against Arsenal.
Is it not an obvious notion that when you maximise the potential of your key players, the team ultimately performs better?
The argument between skipper and John Arne Riise, about who was supposed to have marked William Gallas when he crept into the box seemingly under a cloak of invisibility to nod home the third goal, sums up the the dire straits the club is in.
In zonal marking and where best to field the effervescent midfielder lies two wide ditches halting Benitez's progress for the rest of the season. With their Premiership title chasing capacity in doldrums, perhaps finding a solution to the long overdue problems might give renewed endeavour in their quest for the European and F.A. Cup crowns.
Or will fresh pastures of the Bernabau beckon for Gerard?

Pressing Need For Better Offiiciating

I found myself watching the Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers late last saturday with a concoction of jubilation and sheer amusement. I was obviously over the moon with the Devils grinding out a well deserved victory against bogey team Rovers, but the fixture also left me wondering about what can be done to further aid players from malicious tackles that for some rhyme or reason goes unnoticed by the officials.
The role of a referee in today's modern day of organised sport is basically to decide justly the most viable advantage to the disadvantaged team/individual in the aftermath of an infringement or foul. However, controversies surrounding decisions number aplenty despite soccer having two linesmen assisting the referee in the decision making process. I hereby highlight two such incidents from that fixture.
First of which involves Tugay Kerimoglu hacking a galloping Cristiano Ronaldo from behind. The result was a freekick United's way. No cautions.
The second incident has Aaron Mokoena planting an elbow to stop the diminutive Paul Scholes in his tracks. In the process causing the former England International to be groggy for several seconds and perhaps further hamper his already blurred vision.
The referee was spot on in the second infringement, but Tugay went off scot-free in the first. Though Mokoena was cautioned in the unsportsmanlike foul on Scholes, it brings about the question of whether the yellow card was sufficient.
Viewers at home have the marvellous opportunity of reliving the goals and fouls through replays and maybe its time the fourth official gets in on the act with advising on controversial fouls that the referee may not have a good view of.
This is definitely something that the powers of the beautiful game have been looking into for quite some time and i believe its imminent that they act on it as soon as they can. Perhaps have the video judgement on trial during the UEFA champions league games.
Ultimately, we pay good moolah to watch football because the lads that we choose to idolise do play well and entertain. Therefore what will be of the beautiful game if the wizards who weave their magic on the pitch are hampered by infringements that escape the watchful eye of the referees? Protect the players, protect the beautiful game.