Calling Out Unrealistic Fans No Matter What Continent They Live On

The torches and pitchforks crowd is gathering along Anfield Road.

Liverpool FC supporters are growing increasingly unhappy with the American ownership of their club. (LFC is currently run by an organization that includes Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks). Protests are being launched, and during last night's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, banners hung reading "If it ain't broke, don't Hicks it," and "SOS Dubai, Yanks Out" in reference to a Dubai group's takeover bid for the club.

This gets publicity because Liverpool has a worldwide following. At times the Reds at appear to have the best fans in Europe , and at other times appear to have the worst fans in Europe.

Not having read the Merseyside fanzines, and really only getting what trickles across the Atlantic, I'm not that well versed in the nuances of Hicks's ownership. If any Scouser out there wants to fill me in on what the big hubbub is, then please do so. That being said, to me, it looks like the Kop (Liverpool's supporters' section) is delusional on this one, on the level of that of a Notre Dame football fan.

The sign of "If it ain't broke don't Hicks it" was what brought me to this conclusion. First of all, no team in the English Premier League embraces its history as much as Liverpool does. This is with good reason. During Chelsea FC's recent dominance, Reds supporters would routinely chant, "Fuck off Chelsea FC/You ain't got no history/ Five European Cups and Eighteen Leagues/ That's what we call history!" The basic assumption being that while Chelsea had experienced some recent success, they did not have the sustained success and history of Liverpool.

It's a wonderful argument to make, and Liverpool eventually won that game, but Chelsea ended the season 15 points ahead of Liverpool (3 pts for a win, 1 for a tie), so all the tradition in the world didn't appear to help Liverpool.

Bottom line is, Liverpool have been non-factors domestically for the better part of the last two decades. They have not won the English top flight since 1990, and have NEVER won the Premier League, the only team of the "Big Four" (Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal, and Chelsea) to never have done so (The Premier League was formed in 1992). The closest they've come was a second place finish in 2002, where they still finished seven points behind Arsenal. They've finished fourth or lower 9 times out of 15 EPL seasons, and are in danger of making it 10 for 16 this year. (At writing time, Liverpool was in 5th place.)

In all competitions (Including domestic and European Cups), Liverpool have collected silverware on 7 occasions since the formation of the Premier League. In contrast, during the same time frame, Man United has won 15 titles (including 9 league championships). Arsenal has won 10 titles (including three league championships). And Chelsea who "ain't got no history" has won 9 (including two leagues).

Of the Big Four, Liverpool plays in the oldest ground, and was the last team to embrace summer touring to gain fast cash and international appeal. While Liverpool IS moving to a new stadium in two years and IS planning a North American tour this summer, everything seems to be a step slow at Anfield Road. Their youth development is not quite on top of things. Only two players who get regular playing time for the Reds came up through their youth system as opposed to being purchased or signed from other teams.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Liverpool, you have one of the most successful clubs in Europe. Like your fans' own banners read "What other teams dream, Liverpool have achieved." Other teams would kill to be in a position like Liverpool. But if you want more, and you say that the team was just fine before Hicks came in, then you're every bit as delusional as a Notre Dame fan who thinks that just because they won titles years ago that it's their right to go 12-0 every year. If the team's "broken", then it's been broken for 20 years. Hicks came in and bought the team last year. Do the math.