There hasn't been an outbreak of depression among Liverpool fans. Ever. Always they know that they have to "Walk on, with hope in your heart." The only people capable of bring sickness to the club are Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Almost a year after their takeover, Liverpool look more hapless than ever before. Fans are being forced to take sides, feeling betrayed not only by the owners, but chief executive Rick Parry and president-for-life David Moores. Liverpool fans don't mind that Hicks and Gillett are American. What they don't like is the way they've gone behind Rafael Benitez's back and completely taken his dignity away.

The most troubling part is what they have done to change the identity of the club and its fans. Roam around on the Internet for a few minutes and you'll read the ratings for Liverpool players:

'Do Liverpool fans really want to see a bunch of overrated, overpriced players come to the club?'


Steve Finnan: OK.
Jamie Carragher: Great.
John Arne Riise: Not Reds quality.
Javier Mascherano: For £17m? No way!!
Lucas Leiva: Shoulda gone to Man Utd, not worth it.
Jermaine Pennant: Absolutely sh**!
Xabi Alonso: Match winner to pub player.
Ryan Babel: Gives the ball away, flog him.
Dirk Kuyt: Expensive mistake.
Andrei Voronin: What do you expect for free?
Peter Crouch: Good ball retention; good finisher.
Fernando Torres: Fingers crossed.

These are not only the opinion of one person, but a whole host of fans. They usually follow up on how Rafa should have signed Ricardo Queresma, Ruben Baraja, Silva or Samuel Eto'o. Was this not the team that before Reading was undefeated? Was Finnan not voted best right back in the Premier League last season?

I don't really care what names are on the team sheet as long as Liverpool end the 90 minutes with three points. A player has a slump and we fans are calling to axe him! Liverpool has plenty of quality and had it not been for Hicks and Gillett's ineptness, I feel Liverpool would have been right on track.

I will admit, though, that Liverpool, even when they were undefeated, needed to spread the goal wealth a little more, despite winning matches on average 3-0.
 
Do Liverpool fans really want to see a bunch of overrated, overpriced players come to the club? Wouldn't they like to see Pennant or Kuyt be successful? If that's what Liverpool really want, then they are no different from Chelsea or Manchester United.

I don't think that the views above represent what Liverpool has really been all about. I used to take pride in the fact that I supported a club that value their fans. Their fans certainly value the club. I know there are some true fans who can hardly bear witness to what is happening to their beloved club.