The true measure of Liverpool's Champions League humiliation will really hit home next week when they face a meaningless Group E match against Fiorentina.
Liverpool are already out of the competition with one match still to go and all that boss Rafael Benitez can really look forward to is the prospect that both Fernando Torres - still fighting to recover from a groin problem - and £20million midfielder Alberto Aquilani could play.
Benitez said: "Fernando was not quite ready to play at Blackburn but we are working on him playing against Fiorentina. The same applies to Aquilani, this might be the right moment to play him from the start of a match after his long-term ankle injury."
That will be scant consolation for the fans, who have become accustomed to seeing Liverpool facing an exciting final group match with qualification at stake.
This time they will be the supporting cast watching an Italian side celebrating their first qualification for the last 16 for 10 years.
The only remaining issue is whether Fiorentina can claim the win to secure top spot in the group above Lyon.
Liverpool have only the Europa League to look forward to after Christmas, with the draw for the last 32 taking place on December 18.
Benitez may well leave out the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Jose Reina on Wednesday ahead of the far more important home Premier League game against Arsenal on December 13.
Their route back into the Champions League depends on a top four-finish now but Benitez said: "It is important that we put on a good performance, play well and win. That can only help our confidence in the future.
"But I may well use some players who are not usually involved in the first-team starting line-up. But we have to win. We must show quality and give the fans a good game."
Comment 7 - 26 of 26
The match is ''meaningless,'' the team is ''meaningless,'' and the fans are ''meaningless.''
we are still the most succesfull team in british football history FACT. forget manx chelsea, arsenal etc.its there for all to see.
we have been ravaged by injuries all season but we still BEAT the manx ANOTHER FACT.
comment 19 liverpool ave still won more titals than arsenal will ever win e.g ye have never wone the champions league cmon livrepool!!!
comment 19 liverpool ave still won more titals than arsenal will ever win e.g ye have never wone the champions league cmon livrepool!!!
gerrard is being left out-no doubt at the local swimming pool-practising his diving!!
WARDSTER 31.
Of course Liverpool have a great history, Britan also use to rule the waves, the British Empire was a great part of history, however thats what it is HISTORY.
You talk complete and utter nonsense, I could have a three break when I was 30, now at 60+ I would have a heart attack.
Face up to reality, LIVERPOOL are a spent force, a poor excuse for a football team, the whole club is in turmoil. You had a GREAT team, they were a joy to watch, no doubt about it, watched them and admired their talent, ruled the UK and Europe, but that is many years ago.
Now you are looking over your shoulders at Fulham, Birmingham, Stoke, Sunderland they are all pressing for your place in the EPL, had you not been so lucky at Everton, you would have been in 10 place.
Unless you change your manager, the dimise of this once great club will continue.
why dont the club refund the cost of the tickets to those who are going to watch
Liverpool will get battered by Arsenal on Sunday. Your winning days are in the PAST Scousers, e.g. why have you NEVER won the Premiership??!!
Silly me ... I thought that the Fat Waiter had been putting his 2nd team all season ! ... you mean there's another lot worse than this bunch of losers ?
Horse Placenta's come highly recommended for damage players by none other than Jedward Wenger. surely Rafa be able to rustle up some fried placenta butties for his sick boys at breakfast ?
Liverpool did not qualify for CL 2006 but were given 33rd place Oirish status having won in 2005, so they have failed to qualify for the last 16 twice in ten years :-)
Sounds like there will only be 11 men from the team in the stadium on Wednesday representing the Liverpool all the usual fair weather fans will skip the match and to go out for a bonus extra night of nicking hub caps no doubt.
Jumbo your an idiot who if you had another brain it would be lonely, and -sopi- so if your faith has faded for Liverpool FC then piss off we only have true fans here!!!!1
Jumbo your an idiot who if you had another brain it would be lonely, and -sopi- so if your faith has faded for Liverpool FC then piss off we only have true fans here!!!!1
Liverpool haters must be loving seeing the Reds struggling at the moment but I love hearing there coments as they are so jelous of our history and being one of the most successful clubs in the world. Keep hating us as it proves we are upsetting you and you are full of envy. YNWA
well so poor old coke head is out again - he has not won anything in spite of all those years with the ????? team.
don´t forget fatman benitez either all the way from spain a nd let´s hope he is soon bound back there too.
@#$% manager and @#$% team !! oh by the way, if fabregas is bound for spain in january, you´ll lose torres too. he can´t stay in the uk without his mates.
i got feeling that we wil end up either lose or draw...my faith toward the reds has long fade...
they keep dissapointing me...
:(
If The waiter is keeping Torres for this match then thsat tells you everything you need to know about this man. Go Rafa adios hombre!
DEAD RUBBER MATCH...
Who said Europa League is easy to win? And many teams are harder than Blackburn for sure...
Man U is strong becos of the old hack,Fergie, who is nearing his life span. Enjoy your best days man u fans, it wont be long before we take over the reign of PL. Humble Reds will fight till the end.
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