Help! Liverpool Needs Somebody

This song goes out from Liverpool's finest to Liverpool's strugglers. Yesterday we chronicled one of Liverpool FC's greatest achievements in our Games of the Decade Series. That 2005 day in Istanbul seems so long ago for the Reds and their fans... and even the 2nd place finish in the EPL seems like a distant memory. Shoot, maybe George, John, Paul, and Ringo would be able to help out on the pitch this season for a Liverpool side that are in absolute shambles. They sit 7th in the EPL standings and only a comeback of miracle proportions will send them into the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

In their last 9 games they are 1-6-2 in all competitions. Ironically, their one win was against Manchester United. But, losses to Fulham and draws against Birmingham will erase those good feelings quickly. French power Lyon has written their ticket into the Europa League (boy that would be a nightmare to follow... I can't wait for their showdown with Shakhtar and Salzburg). In the league, there's no talk of winning a title... just how to get past Spurs, Villa, and Man City. So, let's enlist some help from the Beatles and find out how Liverpool got here, and how they can find a way out. Maybe listening to some Beatles music might cheer me up too...

How'd They Get Here:

1) Can't Buy Me Love - Dollars Doesn't Equal Happiness

-For American owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks, their Liverpool experiment has been a disaster. While the Glazers have shown that American owners can win in the EPL with Man U and Randy Lerner at Villa has shown a capacity to find success (he can't say so much about the Browns...), these two knuckleheads have run Liverpool further into debt and are or aren't on speaking terms. These two have not put a single foot right in owning Liverpool, whether it's their handling of upper management, Rafa Benitez, a new stadium, and so much more. They have to be the most unpopular men in Liverpool. I speak for all of America by saying... I'm sorry.

2) Hello, Goodbye - Hideous Transfers

-You know, I almost talked myself into the decision to sell Xabi Alonso being a good move... almost. His sale to Real Madrid left a hole the size of the Rock of Gibraltar in Liverpool's midfield. But, hey, at least Benitez has Lucas and Aquilani to fill the hole. The only problem is one sucks and one is always hurt. That move crippled Liverpool, and other transfer decisions have been no better. Glen Johnson good, but Andriy Voronin bad. David N'Gog's best offense is diving in the box. Krygiakos has the mobility of the ancient Greeks, and not in a good way. And none of that deals with the utter failure that was the Robbie Keane Era. Liverpool's transfer dealings in the post-Torres have been abysmal. When United can stock its rosters with players like Owen, Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, and young players like Welbeck, Macheda, and Obertan and Liverpool can produce none of those players, it tells the story.

3) While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Rafa Benitez

-The horrible 2009-2010 season has to be laid squarely at the feet of the Liverpool manager. The man who was known as the dreaded tinkerman finally struck gold with a consistent starting XI last season, and it led to relative success in the EPL. These days, injuries and other lineup switches (I won't call them rotations) has led to a sputtering campaign. But, Benitez has also had his run-ins with the media and other managers which can't help the Liverpool agenda. Furthermore, his maddening zonal marking system is still in tact. The Liverpool head man is content to let the side fade into oblivion and be the victim of any number of conspiracies while his guitar gently weeps.

The Way Back:

1) Revolution No. 9 - T0rres

-While it is the weirdest and worst Beatles song on record, it is the #1 way back for Liverpool. If there was a Revolution No. 8, I would throw that in as well. Torres has been the sole bright spot for Liverpool this season amidst all of the turmoil, injuries, and poor performance. For my money, he is the best Premier League player bar none, when healthy, which leads to....

2) I Feel Fine - Get Healthy

-Above anything else, this is where Liverpool's problems lie. How would United fair without Ronaldo and Rooney (we're seeing some of that), or Chelsea without Lampard and Drogba, or Arsenal without Arshavin and Fabregas. Liverpool must get Torres and Gerrard healthy and playing at their matchwinning best. Whether that problem falls on #8 and 9, trainers, coaches, witch doctors, or whoever... get them healthy! But, injuries have occurred all over the team with Riera and Benayoun the latest to go down. Coincidence or not, the health needs addressed immediately.

3) Something - A Spark

-Liverpool need that one moment of brilliance, that one dramatic comeback, that one spark of something greater to turn their season around. Unfortunately, that moment has come a lot this season for Liverpool's opponents. Whether it's late strikes from Lyon, wonder goals from Jerome, bad luck, or bad timing, Liverpool's magic is nowhere to be found this season. Sometimes, it just takes that one moment in time, like Gerrard's goal in the 2005 CL Final, to turn the ship around. Liverpool better find it, before the ship sinks. You'd hate to see this Liverpool team go that other great Liverpool team...