Liverpool in the past week have failed football. Their win against Chelsea may have taken them into the Champions League Final but Rafael Benitez’s decision to play weakened teams in their Premiership fixtures either side of that match has greatly affected the integrity of the game.

No longer is it a mater of every team giving of their best in every game throughout the season. The Anfield club have introduced a new criterion to them playing their part - it will only happen if it’s in Liverpool’s best interests.

Liverpool have put their needs first and to heck with everyone else - a case of ‘We don’t care about you, mate’. Last week a weakened team gave Portsmouth a boost in their quest for a UEFA Cup place. Bolton, Everton, Reading and Tottenham are also involved in that particular struggle and if Portsmouth make into the European competition thanks to the three points they received from Rafa’s men, one of those other teams will have suffered because of Liverpool’s selfish actions.

'The big clubs make up the rules to suit themselves and the authorities are powerless to curtail their actions'


Now this weekend, having reached their holy grail in Athens, nine players were left out for the game against relegation-threatened Fulham. Lawrie Sanchez and the Fulham players would have been delighted - even more so when they picked up the three points that’s preserved their Premiership status for another season and the millions of pounds that go with it.

How are Wigan Athletic feeling after losing to a full-strength Liverpool a fortnight ago? The three points may have made Fulham safe but Sheffield United, Wigan, Charlton and West Ham are still fighting for their lives. So what team will Benitez send out next weekend against Charlton? Can the Addicks expect to face a weakened Liverpool so that they have the same chance as Fulham had to get three vital points?

Of course, for quite some time teams have sent out weakened teams in domestic Cup competitions. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have done it but with their squads they have been able to progress through the Carling Cup and even reach the Final without their star names.

Even Bolton Wanderers, in their early Premiership days, regarded survival in the top flight as more important than progress in the Cups. That was a decision that those clubs took and it only affected them – an early exit, loss of revenue but they had other more important targets.

However, in the league, sending out a weakened team affects other clubs – those fighting against relegation, those aiming for a European place and every club that loses money because their final position has been lowered as a result of one of their closest rivals getting three points in a game that didn’t matter to one of the ‘big’ clubs.

West Ham United started the trend last season when a weakened team lost unexpectedly at home to Portsmouth. The Hammers had an important FA Cup game the following week and the three points they presented to Portsmouth started the south-coast team’s recovery in the battle against relegation. Manager Harry Redknapp was most delighted by the generosity of his former club.

Come the end of the season and West Ham had a dilemma – the final game against Tottenham was a week before the FA Cup Final. Fielding a weakened team might give their London rivals an advantage in their fight with Arsenal for the final Champions League place. There was no way they would send out an under-strength team – it was a London derby which they duly won, denying Spurs that coveted Champions League place. West Ham were honourable in their actions, being fair to both London rivals.

Liverpool, however, are showing no concern or consideration for the other clubs in the league – they have made a decision based on what’s best for them and their only thoughts are on winning in Athens.

They may beat AC Milan but English football will have nothing to celebrate – another nail has been knocked into the coffin of the game that once was honourable and involved teams that played to win at all times. What would Bill Shankly say about a Liverpool team going out without the means to win?

In previous eras, clubs were fined for playing under-strength teams, even if they had a congested fixture list and were coming up to an important European game. But it will be overlooked now – the big clubs make up the rules to suit themselves and the authorities are powerless to curtail their actions.

If such actions continue, the number of empty seats, already visible in so many Premiership grounds, will only grow and football will suffer a slow and painful death as supporters who are already being exploited ruthlessly by the clubs, finally lose all interest in the once ‘beautiful’ game.

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