If Maxi Rodriguez was looking to escape the losing streak that gripped Atletico Madrid during his time there this season, he sure as hell didn't pick the right team to transfer to. The 29-year-old midfielder finalized a free transfer to Liverpool several days ago, just in time to help his new team lose (again) to Reading, eliminating them from the FA Cup.
Despite having (miraculously) won their last four Premier League games, Liverpool dropped today's game against Reading, a team not even in the Premier League! Even better- Reading is floating just above the relegation zone in the English League Championship, which is the league below the Premier League. That's like the US Men's National Team losing to a second-rate high school soccer team.
I did not watch the game, which probably resembled more of a train wreck than a professional soccer game, and I'm quite glad I didn't. Coach Rafa Benitez's prize possessions, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, both left the game due to injuries. Torres limped off with an apparent knee injury after 29 minutes while Gerrard never returned to the pitch after halftime.
Liverpool's goal resulted from an own goal compliments of Ryan Bertrand, who deflected in a shot from Gerrard right before the half. Gylfi Sigurdsson leveled for Reading from the penalty spot in the 90th, and after five minutes of extra time Reading pulled ahead with a spot-on header from Shane Long.
Liverpool can how join the ranks of sides humiliated by grossly under-qualified opponents, along with Real Madrid's Copa del Rey defeat to Alcorcon and Barcelona's Champion's league defeat to FK Rubin Kazan.
These defeats, which have been plaguing 'Pool since the beginning of the season, can not continue. This is supposed to be the same team that was a very serious contender for the Premier League title last season before some hiccups in their schedule handed it over to Manchester United. I, personally, have to blame the coaching staff. Rafa Benitez has to go. He is clearly not capable of handling a club like Liverpool anymore, and I'm baffled that he has not been let go yet. Mark Hughes was let go while Manchester City were just outside the top 4, while Liverpool is balancing precariously in 7th place in the League.
New management is a must, and the sooner the club owners realize this, the better off the rest of the season will be for the Reds.
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