UEFA Europa League

Parting Ways with Kenny Dalglish

"It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to come back to Liverpool Football Club as Manager...I would like to thank all of the staff at the Club for their effort and loyalty. I said when first approached about coming back as Manager that I would always be of help if I can at any time and that offer remains the same. Finally, I want to put on record my heartfelt gratitude to Liverpool's fans, who have always given me and the Club their unwavering support. Without them neither the Club nor I would have achieved anything." Kenny Dalglish, 15 May 2012

Breaking: Kenny Dalglish Leaves Liverpool

There is nobody alive today who has done more to make Liverpool Football Club what it is, who plays a bigger role in its history and identity, and who we would have more wanted to see succeed as its manager. There is nobody who deserves more for what he's given to the club both on and off the pitch, and those who would call themselves fans only to toss out easy insults and quick dismissals make themselves look nothing but foolish while diminishing the club they claim to support.
And yet mistakes have been made. Many of which we've talked about in recent days and many more which have been discussed ad nauseum over the course of the season. Many of which have led to serious doubts as to whether Kenny Dalglish could lead Liverpool to success in the league and Europe given the current state of the game.
We would have wanted nothing more than for Dalglish to quash those fears and doubts if given further chance, though we cannot pretend those fears and doubts did not exist. The only thing we are certain of is that he deserves a great deal of respect—and a great deal more respect than he has received from many as Liverpool's league season deteriorated. Questions and concerns are always worth voicing, but personal attacks that show a disgusting ignorance of the club's history have at times been tied to legitimate complaint, and those guilty of doing such will always have cause for feelings of guilt.
Of course, one expects most of them will in no way feel guilty for their actions. The rest of us, however, those who have doubted and questioned while trying to preserve something of the respect Dalglish deserves, undoubtedly will. Though nothing is official yet, by all reports his second spell in charge of Liverpool Football Club is now over.
Whether it will turn out to be the right decision will not be clear for some time. Whether it is the right decision or not, this is a sad day and sad turn of events for the club.
Updates will follow after the jump, as there's likely to be plenty.

A Poor Way to Treat One's Friends

Fernando Torres left, Steven Gerrard was soon injured, and Andy Carroll arrived unfit to play. Pepe Reina was in the midst of his second of three seasons that left fans talking about him being some way short of his best. The defence, though decent, was hardly the dominant force it became for a time in the middle of the 2011-12 season after Jamie Carragher's injury forced the coaching staff to experiment with Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger as the starting pairing.

Liverpool Suffer Worst League Season Since 1954

People can talk about rebuilding. Even if the point of last summer's transfer strategy was to avoid long settling-in periods that would lead to 2011-12 becoming a rebuilding season. Even if it now appears that next season will end up something of a rebuilding season, too, with few entertaining realistic hopes of a return to Champions League action twelve months hence.

Swansea 1, Liverpool 0: Time to Move On

Swansea 1 Graham 86'
Liverpool 0

Fitting that, on the final day of a frustrating season, the best thing to happen to Liverpool didn't actually have anything to do with Liverpool. Manchester City stole the title from Manchester United with two goals in injury time, and that's about all that Liverpool ...

Matchday: Liverpool v. Swansea City

Kickoff from the Liberty Stadium at 3:00PM BST/10:00AM EST

Napoli vs. Siena

Napoli can finish anywhere between 3rd and 6th depending on the results of this weekend. Imagine how much pressure Napoli would have if they hadn't already qualified for Europe via the Coppa? Only the top 5 teams in Italy play in Europe this season, and it could have been Napoli joining Roma on the sidelines for the Europa League next year. Instead Napoli gets not only the Europa League next season, but a second cup chance at Juventus in the Italian Super Coppa. If the cup winner is also the league winner, then it's the Cup runner-up who contest the Super Coppa and not the league runners-up. But for now the focus is only beating Siena and hoping for 3rd place. The level-headed person in me says Napoli won't get it. You can count on one of Udinese or Lazio screwing up, but probably not both. My instinct says Udinese will get at least the 1 point they need to secure 3rd. Catania is a difficult place to play but Udinese have looked the best team in the last few rounds and will play an ultra tight defensive game.

Match Preview: Liverpool v. Swansea City, 05.13.12

With a mixture of relief and sadness, the season finally comes to a close tomorrow in Wales. Swansea City welcome Liverpool in the the last act of the campaign, with both sides looking to finish off the year on a high note. It's been a decidedly more positive year for the hosts than it has been for the visitors, with Elvis-inspired celebrations among Swans supporters set for tomorrow, and those of a Liverpool persuasion yet again looking to turn the page.

Video: Maxi Rodriguez v. Chelsea

Smart movement, keeping the ball moving, always making himself available as an outlet, and more committed defensively than many give him credit for. That and a knack for finding space in dangerous areas that seems as though it should be simple except few other players manage to do it quite so well. It's rarely flashy, and for a time it meant many were quick to look past him, but as his time at Liverpool comes to an apparent close there are few who remain unconvinced of the value of Maxi Rodriguez.

Who the F*ck Are Adidas? and Other Friday Notes

When word first leaked that Warrior and not adidas would be making Liverpool's kit in coming seasons, some reacted with skepticism. After all, adidas have a long history in football—and just as importantly, a long history of supplying Liverpool kits. Warrior, on the other hand, is an offshoot of New Balance known for lacrosse and hockey equipment, and their deal with Liverpool represents their first foray into the world's most popular game. Turns out that at least for the home strip there was nothing to worry about…

Neil Mellor, Liverpool Cult Hero, Calls it a Career at 29

"I've agreed to keep communication open with [Preston North End manager] Graham Westley just in case I come across a miracle cure," began a brief statement by former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor. "But realistically, and regrettably, this is the end of my playing days."

A Lap of Honour for the Already Departed

The season is over. Only it isn't. Not quite yet. Though it does feel as though an autopsy should be done, even if after a long campaign that has seen so many of the problems and complaints remain depressingly consistent it feels as though everything has already been said a dozen times over and that there is really nothing left to say.

Liverpool 4, Chelsea 1: Going Out in Style

Liverpool 4 Essien (og) 19', Henderson 25', Agger 28', Shelvey 61'
Chelsea 1 Ramires 50'

Liverpool breeze past a lifeless Chelsea, scoring three first half goals and four for the first time in a league match all season. Chelsea's performance left little doubt as to the outcome, doing more than their share to help Liverpool along the way to one of their only dominant home displays of the season. It'd have been nice if it meant more, but let's just enjoy an easy win and a chance to say farewell to the struggles Liverpool experienced at Anfield this season.

Matchday: Liverpool v. Chelsea

Kickoff from Anfield at 8:00PM BST/3:00PM EST

Match Preview: Liverpool v. Chelsea, 05.08.12

Liverpool host the club that defeated them in London just three days ago, with Chelsea visiting Anfield in the penultimate game of the 2011-2012 season. Both sides have secured European football via their respective domestic cup victories, and Chelsea chances at the top tier of European club football for next season locked into their date with Bayern Munich in two weeks.

Video: Andy Carroll v. Chelsea

Given that it was one of the few positives to emerge from yesterday's loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, we've already done most of the discussion needed about Andy Carroll's performance. After coming on to replace a badly out of sorts Jay Spearing, Carroll gave Liverpool a tremendous lift. He lashed home their only goal of the game after some neat footwork to free himself from John Terry in the Chelsea box, and missed out on an equalizer by the slimmest of margins, denied by a matter of inches (or, depending on your opinion, an incorrect call).