Left field
The Reuters global sports blog
Two trophies may still prove too little for Liverpool
By Phil O’Connor
Andy Carroll’s winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton might have put Liverpool on course for a second trophy, but even if they go on to win the competition it will still represent a poor return for the season.
In most major football nations, the national cup competition comes in a very distant second to the league in terms of importance, but for years England bucked that trend and the FA Cup retained huge prestige.
Since the dawn of the Champions League, managers in England have been more focused on achieving fourth place in the league than Wembley glory, but it still retains a special place in the hearts of English fans.
The same might not be said for Liverpool’s American owners, the Fenway Sports Group – having spent a rumoured 300 million pounds to buy the club, they will have expected an awful lot more than two trips to Wembley for their money.
Sports picture of the day
Split seconds count in sports photography. Reuters Sports Pictures editor Greg Bos thinks London-based photographer Eddie Keogh captured the moment perfectly when former Arsenal captain William Gallas went head over heels to the ground during an FA Cup match.
CAPTION: Arsenal’s William Gallas (top) challenges Cardiff City’s Jay Bothroyd during their FA Cup fourth round replay soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London February 16, 2009. REUTERS/ Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN)
