It was November’97 when Barnsley last called at Anfield. Liverpool under Roy Evans were just coming from an excellent away victory at Highbury, compliments of a superb Steve McManaman strike. The momentum of the previous week performance though did not carry Liverpool through this weak side and the reds succumbed to a 1-0 defeat. Ten years later, Liverpool got a decent away point at Stamford Bridge and then hosted the same side in the F.A. Cup fifth round. Once again, the momentum did not carry Liverpool through as they succumbed to a humiliating defeat to the Championship side. Considering Liverpool opened the score themselves through Dirk Kuyt, the 2-1 reversal is more of a bitter blow and makes the result feel even more absurd, ridiculous and shameful. They got the ham, but failed to get the bread to sandwich and seal the issue, in the meantime losing the same ham and left bare handed.

Liverpool did have their chances and you can argue the two goals conceded could be easily thwarted had Pepe Reina was in goal. Fernando Torres was not even on the bench. Steven Gerrard got on only later. Javier Mascherano never played either. Liverpool is supposed to have a squad though, not just a couple of stars. It is still no excuse, especially considering the opposition. After all even back in the Shankly days Liverpool were able to field two teams. There were Liverpool and Liverpool reserves. Everton was only the third team.

With the league challenged so screwed up, an FA Cup run would have made for a good consolation. But now even that is beyond reach. Another possibility to save a strange and season and some face has been lost forever. During the open boardroom war, there were a lot of straws to clutch on to explain the latest debacle. That is beyond credibility now.

Next Tuesday’s match is to be looked from another angle now. At the moment though, the lens to look from is scratched, dirty and only gives a very disturbing image.