You know what I think our biggest enemy is, amongst everything else? Expectations.

Forget about the squad, the manager, the owners, the quality of the pitch or whatever else. Ever since Shankly took us from being a club in tatters to one competing with the best in the world, Liverpool fans have always expected greatness. To us, the team would always have underperformed unless we add to our collection of silverware each season. I make us sound like a bunch of glory hunters don't I? "Winning trophies, adding to silverware", blah blah blah. Well while we may have high expectations, we are also loyal. It can be argued that losing hurts Liverpool fans more than anyone else. It's hard to see a loved one suffer isn't it? I don't know about you but I love the club and it isn't uncommon to see Liverpool fans in tears after losing a big game, not to me anyway. I've a friend who lived in Liverpool, has tattoos all over and who used to own a bar. He is hardy and as tough as men come but watching the club he loves lose an important game can turn him into a whimpering heap. It hurts, it does but you have to ask why Liverpool fans still sing YNWA at the end of a game even in defeat? So what if it's purely out of defiance, or a simply a method to console ourselves? The most important thing is that it works. Some say we sing it to console ourselves in defeat. So what? What I know is that it brings us closer together still, and that's the difference. Defeat should bring fans closer together, it should unite us.

In conclusion, our expectations or hopes will always be high but we can take solace that even if the team should not meet them, it can only bring us closer together.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Mar 11 2010, 11:00 AM

You didn't sense the sarcasm coming from that attention seeking, chicken shit prick?

Tell you what guys. This is like the 5th consecutive away game we've failed to score in. To be really honest, defeats are starting to hurt less and I'm not so sure it's a good thing. Part of me just wants to fast forward the entire season because we've very little to play for. Another part of me believes in fairy tales and miracles, and it would be nothing short of a miracle if we finish fourth or end up winning the Euro League. I posted a list of our remaining fixtures yesterday and I simply don't see how we'll better our first leg results against those teams, especially the way we are playing. What disappoints me most is that the fans have done their part, especially at the beginning of the Tottenham game at Anfield. Fans took the effort to gather early and armed with flags and banners, gave the lads a rousing welcome prior to kickoff. If you do hear boos coming from the crowd, it wasn't because the fans didn't do their part. It's because they have and it's sickening to not see the team respond. After all, if the fans can rally their spirits, why can't the players?

I just don't see the same fire in his belly unlike in previous seasons, where he almost single handedly pulled us back from the brink of defeat. I thought his crowning moment was in Istanbul. He rallied the lads in the tunnel as they came out for the 2nd half, he scored the first of our 3 goals and he was seen waving both arms up and down, urging the crow to get on their feet and the players to play above themselves. He led by example and inspired our come back on the pitch. If you compare the Gerrard then and the Gerrard now, the latter version is a pale shadow of his former self. His body language speaks volumes. He appears to be constantly sulking, walking with his head down when the chips are down. His desperate attempts to gain an advantage by any means are shameful, going down easy, hoping for the ref to give a foul. Sadly at his age, I think he realises that there is a very real chance he may never lift the Premiership trophy as Liverpool captain. Despite what he may say, I don't see him staying at the club for much longer. Maybe it's time to hand over the armband to one Jamie Carragher, who regardless of form, always looks up for it.

It's been said that we have a wafer thin squad this season, contributing to our lack of competitiveness. Really? You mentioned the Olympiacos game and Gerrard's goal aside, it was the two other squad players before him that gave his stunning strike significance. If it weren't for Florent Sinama Pongolle or Neil Mellor, Gerrard's goal wouldn't have mattered. Fringe players like Djimi Traore, Igor Biscan and Vladimir Smicer played a big part in our campaign that season. Were they all any better than our current backup players? Players like Lucas (or is he considered a first teamer now?), N'Gog, Babel, Maxi or Aquillani?

Maybe it is all about motivation. Rafa won the hearts of the players and fans alike when he travelled all the way to Euro to talk to Carra and Gerrard about their futures as his first major initiative. As you say, the comeback against Olympiacos was significant to our form in Europe that season. The players and fans believed! Everyone played above themselves that season but only in Europe. We finished behind Everton that season in the league. Last season looks to be like a blip now because if you take it away, we haven't made much headway in the league. I've always asked fans what made Rafa a tactical genius to them and I've never gotten an answer. The answer to that question has now become more non-existent. Many fans out there have vocally backed Rafa and rightly so. In fact, I adopt the, "we(Liverpool fans) can talk bad about him, but you (any other fan), can't" type mentality. It was heart warming to see so many fans go, "so long as he's Liverpool manager, he'll have my support". I really do wonder though how many really believe he can turn things around? I mean truly believe. I for one really don't anymore.

If Stevie really did transform into Stevie Me, I really do think he needs a good kick up the arse. I do at times feel that his head is getting to big for his shoulders. Instead of pacifying him, Carra should have put him in his place. What the hell was Sammy doing in tears? Hope it was about the defeat and not because the lads got in a fight while lining up to take a piss.