Life's a beach for Liverpool

Sports - Football - Premier League

Just when you thought it could not get worse for Liverpool:

Six points behind the league leaders after suffering three defeats already, one more than in the whole of last season; skipper Steven Gerrard and top scorer Fernando Torres out injured; crucial matches ahead in the Champions League group stage against Lyon and in the Premier League against none other than champions and arch-rivals Manchester United; Liverpool had to get back on track.

Sunderland proved their stamina before the international break against Manchester United, who were lucky to get away with a draw, and produced a similar strong, bullish stance against the Merseysiders. They dominated the match at the Stadium of Light and took control which the Scousers found hard to break through without their talismans. The breakthrough came from the home side thanks to a pouncing Darren Bent and his accomplice: A beach ball!

Funny world of football. It should not have been allowed as Fifa laws state that if anything intrudes onto the pitch, the game has to be halted and the hazard removed before play can continue. An error by the referee Mike Jones, which can be forgiven respecting the fact that none of the players had a clue about it and Liverpool were poor and did not deserve anything out of the match anyway.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina conceded he was partly at fault for the goal, taking his focus off the ball and onto the beach ball instead, excusing the referee for his mistake. Rafa Benitez also had the decency not to blame and rant on about the referee for the Reds defeat, unlike a certain Scotsman. They cannot deny their faults and weaknesses and cover them up by blaming the beach ball for everything.

Now Liverpool sit eighth in the table on 15 points, seven points behind leaders Manchester United, who will be laughing, nudging and winking their way to Anfield for the upcoming Super Sunday clash. The fans will be searched for beach balls, which I find makes the whole incident and situation even more comical. As if that will avoid another defeat. Instead they will have to search the team thoroughly for some answers and findings to how they had got themselves into this mess in the first place.