Liverpool 0, Man U 1: The 'double standard' press strikes again

It is no surprise how the press and pundits are playing up yesterday's match. To admit that one side had intentions of playing football, while the other decided on trench warfare, putting ten men behind the ball, would have been honest yet unacceptable. To admit that one side was actually attempting to play 'the beautiful game', while the other had aspirations of turning it into a wrestling match, apparently isn't part of the company line. Then again, selling papers has never been about writing the truth. As Mae West once said, "Virtue has its own reward, but has no sale at the box office."

If the roles had been reversed yesterday and Liverpool had played like United, win or not, they would have been thrown into the gauntlet. They would have been chastised for their drab and uncreative approach, sacrificed for their cowardly ways, and written off as a side that is afraid to play proper football. Since it was the other way around though, Man U are commended for their excellent defending. As Mark Twain put it, "Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please."

It is neither surprising nor shocking that this perspective is being force-fed as the acceptable conclusion. The press and the pundits know how their bread is buttered. Ultimately, English football becomes the victim and it's a shame the culprits can't see the damage they're inflicting. It is no wonder that the game has to go abroad for new fans, as the local ones, tired of the sensationalism and deceit, are turning away in droves. To quote Benjamin Franklin, "Trickery and treachery are the practices of fools that have not the wits enought to be honest."

That was far from good nor entertaining football yesterday, but at least Liverpool tried to make it so. It's surprising that a side as expensive and talented as Man U would go for such a game plan or possibly the only true class side on the pitch yesterday was wearing red. Rafa obviously didn't receive the memo that 'shit on a stick' would be acceptable on the day or maybe since he now has the horses to win any race, he mistakenly thought football would be allowed to be played. Another mistake by the press that they've yet to use against our gaffer. I'm sure it's only a matter of time though.