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Rarely can a poisoned chalice have been so fiercely
contested.
Liverpool have long aspired to the Europa League as the
only coronation gift available to Kenny Dalglish; Tottenham
Hotspur have long scorned it as an unwelcome consolation.
Seeing their Thursday nights booked up is hardly a prize either
will treasure; both fought until their last breath to earn the
right to complain, long and loud, next season.
Spurs are worthy of what will, if they beat Birmingham next
week, be their place in Europe, although justice was only done in
the most unjust of circumstances. They deserve it for this display
and this season. They started brightly, endured a predictable dip
and ended on a high. Both in this display and in this season.
But that their guests are better prepared, equipped and suited
to an autumn of far-flung travel will not assuage Liverpool’s
anger. Dalglish’s side fell behind to a fortuitous opener from
Rafael van der Vaart and they lost thanks to the sort of decision
which would have sent Ryan Babel scrambling to Photoshop.
Even Spurs seemed taken aback to see Howard Webb point to the
spot when John Flanagan and Steven Pienaar’s shoulders collided
outside the box. There was no intent from either party; Webb’s
decision, and Luka Modric’s coolness, certainly spoiled one.
“I’m not here to sponsor the FA,” Dalglish said. “It is just
unhelpful to everyone that we cannot express our true thoughts and
it’s even more disappointing that the officials get away scot-free
without having to come and explain their decisions.”
Streaker Video:
Pepe Reina, Lucas and Martin Skrtel were so ruthless in
dealing with a streaker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaZyjVZo8wI
From another angle...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aJbZsUyZp4
Another
Anfield Streaker back in 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP65n2812c8&feature=related
That anger was manifest in the Scot’s fans and players, too. On
this of all days, when Dalglish was unveiled to a deafening roar as
the club’s permanent manager, when Fenway Sports Group, the owners
who have done so much to steer Anfield back on course, were
present. Little wonder Pepe Reina, Lucas and Martin Skrtel were so
ruthless in dealing with a streaker. It was no laughing matter.
Yet hindsight will tell them that sixth place, after the start
to their season, is a feat. It will tell them that Spurs deserved
this, Webb or no Webb. It will tell them, too, that for all
Redknapp’s insistence that he has no interest in the Champions
League’s ugly sister, he knows – to misquote Ian Holloway – that it
is better to go home at the end of the night with someone, rather
than all alone.
“I scared them into it,” the Spurs manager said. “I told them
that if we qualified through the Fair Play league, we’d be back
playing in June. We are not fighting for the Europa League. We are
fighting for fifth, because you want to finish as high as you
can.”
It worked. Spurs started excellently, pressing high, suffocating
their hosts. Van der Vaart’s opener, volleyed in off Glen Johnson,
was ample reward.
Andy Carroll missed the best chance of the half by ballooning a
Skrtel cross over, while Luis Suárez, usually electrifying, offered
the Kop the odd jolt rather than full charge.
When Webb intervened, Liverpool could not muster a response.
Anfield will not be blessed with Europe next season. Spurs, now
that they are there, may not appreciate it, but Liverpool will tell
them that, even with poisoned chalices, you do not know what you’ve
got until it’s gone.