A moral dilemma...

Over the two legs, even the most ardent Liverpool detractor, would struggle to argue that the team from Merseyside didn’t do enough to warrant a place in Friday’s draw for the quarter finals of the Champions league. But as deserved as the win was; was Liverpool’s victory not merely a win for tactical organisation over the more creative and subtle skills of the Catalan giants?

When Liverpool lifted the Champion’s league after defeating Milan on penalties in two thousand and five, Benitez was hailed as a tactical genius. We, the football loving public, were told that no other coach in Europe could have forged a team capable of not only challenging for, but winning the champions league with the squad at Rafa’s disposal, but rest assured, with the funds and kudos acquired after such an incredible win, Benitez would be in a position to mould a team much more in keeping with the beautiful game.

Fast forward almost two years to Anfield and last night’s game against Barcelona, and to a display from the home side that while effective, was not what could be described as a joy to watch. It was in fairness, a ninety minute display of one of the most organised and tactically astute performances I have ever witnessed. The way the likes of Alonso and Sissoko performed was to be admired, particularly in the case of the former, who time after time has sacrificed his own style of play for the performance of the team.

While it could be argued that the performance last night was formed out of necessity, that type of display put in by Liverpool last night will win them few fans; it would be churlish to suggest that Liverpool should have adopted a more fool hardy approach for entertainment’s sake, but it got me thinking.

A few years ago Liverpool led by Gerrard Houllier, went to the Nou camp for a UEFA cup semi final first leg match. What unfolded over the next ninety minutes was nothing sort of abysmal. Content with a nil, nil draw, Liverpool made no attempt to even force a corner, never mind actually score a goal. On their return, a goal less draw successfully strangled from the game, Houllier on his arrival back on Merseyside, was quite rightfully castigated by the media, supporters and former players, who argued, a Liverpool team should be better than playing for a draw, no matter who the opposition. Houllier countered, that the result was more important than the display.

A throw away comment that got lost in the archives after Liverpool managed to defeat Barcelona in the return at Anfield. Houllier it seems had been right. Sadly however, this type of thinking has now slowly found its way into ninety five percent of the game, particularly in the Premiership, with only Manchester United and Arsenal the real exception to the rule and the two who refuse to change their principles regardless of the opponent. Currently our domestic league is the most successful and given the lack of competition, is also the best league in the world to watch. But given only one of four teams can win the league, the remaining sixteen are merely fighting for survival.

Neil Warnock said recently that teams like his own, Premier league new boys Sheffield United; don’t have their season shaped by results at places like Anfield and Old Trafford. This is true, but the lure of playing at these venues season in season out, out weighs the need to entertain. Warnock, who is not alone in this way of thinking; seems more than happy to weigh off four annual trips to the precipice of English football, against thirty odd results ground out of teams by what ever means necessary to ensure his teams Premier league status.

With added cash incentive from television rights to consider from next year, the price paid for failure will be even higher and fewer and fewer teams will be prepared to take the risk of playing entertaining football. Next year the big four will be involved in one hundred and fifty two league games. They will not be involved in a further six hundred and eight. On that basis alone, entertainment will be at a premium.

The Premier league is in real danger of out valuing itself. In simple terms if the public can’t get their entertainment from football, they will look else where. Since the creation of the Premier league nearly two decades ago, the image of the game has been successfully rejuvenated; stadium are the best in Europe and they are full, week in, week out. But not only are they full, the season ticket holders are a true reflection of society. Men, women and children of all ages and all creeds flock to Premier league grounds, often twice weekly. But they are a fickle lot, and they want enjoyment for their thousand pound a throw seat. Bore them stiff on their arrival and Saturday afternoon football will be replaced by the latest fad or craze sweeping the nation.

Once they’ve left, they won’t be seen again. No longer will the season tickets be sold; Sky will lose their subscribers and the days of the billion pound television rights deal will be a distant memory. In its place empty stadiums, premier league sides in financial disarray, the return of the hooligan as the game is handed back to the working classes who had been priced out of the market. In short, we’d be left with Italian league football as it is today.

A worrying thought. I’m sure you’d agree.