MESSY DIVORCE FOR GERRARD AND RAFA
It has all the hallmarks of a seemingly perfect marriage very publicly hitting the rocks and with a messy divorce looming.
For it would appear that unless Liverpool kiss and make up by showing Steven Gerrard just how much they love him, the England international is about to walk out of Anfield for good.
Just as when any relationship starts to become frayed around the edges, the blame game has seemingly begun, leaving the likes of Chelsea, AC Milan, Manchester United and Real Madrid circling as would-be suitors.
Exactly what Gerrard wants is so far unclear. Liverpool maintain that wages are not an issue, while they have already signed four new players this summer, even if only keeper Jose Reina may be an automatic first-choice.
However, the recruitment of wingers Bolo Zenden and Mark Gonzalez hints at a more attack-minded approach, while young defender Antonio Barragan shows planning for the future.
Other arrivals are also set to come to a club that has won the right to defend the Champions League trophy, albeit through the qualifying rounds.
So for a player to whom Liverpool means so much and who demonstrates such pride in wearing the captain's armband, what more is there?
Well, perhaps it is about progressing his career amid a fresh challenge. Or maybe it does all come down to love, possibly even respect, in the end.
Liverpool hardly seem to have been rushing to secure Gerrard's future, with several of those in the know at Anfield pouring doubts on where the midfielder truly fits into Rafael Benitez's long-term priorities.
For all of the positive public words, urging him to stay at Liverpool for life, the Liverpool skipper seems to doubt - rightly or wrongly - just how much Benitez truly wants him at Anfield.
Just contrast that uncertainty to the reaction at Stamford Bridge when there was even the semblance of any doubt over Frank Lampard's future last season.
The rush to sign a new contract on improved terms was immediate and, since then, there has never been a second's doubt as to his future intentions.
Gerrard, one presumes, watched and learned.
He may also have read Jose Mourinho's comments to the Premier League tribunal set up to consider the Ashley Cole case, which itself only arose due to another instance of a club refusing to fall over backwards for a leading player.
If not, then he should. According to Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, Mourinho was asked how he would have reacted if John Terry had been found talking to Arsenal.
Buck revealed: "He said he would call the player in and ask him what was the problem. If it was a football issue, he would have gone out of his way to resolve it.
"If it was a financial one, he would have gone to Peter Kenyon and the board and told them to resolve it."
That was exactly what Arsenal failed to do with Cole, seemingly managing to alienate a passionately committed player over the issue of just £5,000 a week - and it seems to be exactly what Liverpool have failed to do with Gerrard.
Either the Reds have matched Arsenal's foolhardy attempts at negotiation or Benitez does not really want Gerrard as much as he says - and he cannot admit it in public for fear of alienating the fans.
It is hard to imagine Mourinho committing the same cardinal sin for such an integral player and perhaps that is why Gerrard may be persuaded to move to Stamford Bridge after coming so close last summer only to back out at the last minute.
For while the lure of moving abroad may also be enticing, it is not just Chelsea's financial power which has allowed them to keep their key players happy over the past year.
It also stems from a feeling of being wanted, loved even, by their manager and board. Something which Gerrard seems to be lacking right now.
So what if he did go to Stamford Bridge?
It would certainly give Chelsea a midfield to make the rest of Europe envious, with Claude Makelele allowing both Lampard and Gerrard to rampage forward, while Damien Duff and Arjen Robben could attack down the wings outside them.
The key question-mark would still remain over Mourinho's side - the continuing lack of a proven goalscorer up front.
However, they won the league with Didier Drogba in the side and, with Gerrard added to the squad, it is hard to imagine any team stopping them in the Premiership at least.
Indeed, perhaps Gerrard's unhappiness is a test of the resolve of Manchester United's new owners as anything else. For if ever there was a ready-made long-term replacement for Roy Keane, Gerrard is that man.
For all of the rumours surrounding a possible deal for Michael Essien, United need Gerrard far more than Chelsea do. The question is who wants him the most - and whether that is still Liverpool.
Interestin read.
It would be great if Man U can successfully swoop Gerrard, hez definitely the midfielder we need. I'm sure the Glazerz can win a lot of fanz over if he can help brin Gerrard over.
