Monday, February 02, 2009 . 3:23 PM

This morning, from 12-2am, I was not proud to be a Liverpool fan.

I think no matter how well or badly you play in any match at all, you should play with integrity.

It is utterly disgraceful when you see players throw themselves onto the ground, trying to get free kicks and penalties, or players exaggerating injuries just so their opponents will get yellow-carded or sent off.

Repeated dives from Gerrard, trying to win free-kicks in dangerous positions or penalties against Chelsea, were just disgraceful. If you are a player with that kind of calibre, you don't have to resort to underhanded means to win. Mascherano was another one, who flung his body to the ground at the slightest provocation, trying to get his opponents yellow-carded. It's terrible to watch. Why ruin the beautiful game with dirty tactics?

Mind you, Chelsea were not fully innocent either, Mikel dived to get Mascherano yellow-carded, while Jose Bosingwa put his studs full into Benayoun's back at the corner flag towards the end of the game.

The referee didn't help matters either, giving a red card for a seemingly innocuous challenge by Lampard on Alonso, and NOT giving a red card to Bosingwa for blatantly kicking an opponent, furthermore, giving a free-kick instead to Chelsea.

I think the only thing the referee got right this morning was the yellow card for Gerrard's dive.

The FIRST time I saw Lampard's challenge, I thought instantly, yellow-card. When the referee flashed the red, I was shocked. After seeing the replays, the commentators thought that Alonso was more at fault than Lampard. I beg to differ. Alonso was going all out for the ball, while Lampard was sticking his leg up in the air in a desperate attempt to win the ball before Alonso could get it. Despite him touching the ball, it was a high challenge, and it was his touch that prodded the ball away from Alonso, who had already swung his leg to try to get the ball.

In short, both players were going for the ball, but Lampard's was a high challenge, with studs out. Should have been a yellow card, not a red.

Now, because of the win, Liverpool are the confirmed hate-boys of the Premiership. First with Benitez's tirade at Ferguson and Gill, then his refusal to sign a new contract unless more power is given to him, his row with Rick Parry, followed by his refusal to play Robbie Keane on the pitch, coupled with Liverpool's failure to win in the previous 3 games before the Chelsea one, giving them the label as "title-pretenders" again, the board trying to sell Liverpool, and finally the ugly Chelsea match.

After a great start to the season, Liverpool have self-destructed once again. The only difference was that this time it was a little later than usual. I disagree with the pundits and writers saying "If you were to give Liverpool fans this option at the start of the season they would've taken it", that's equivalent to saying that you're happy with what you've got, despite you knowing that it could have been so much better. Always strive for excellence.

Unless the next game shows me otherwise, I will not be proud to be a Liverpool fan. It is better to lose honestly than to cheat to win.

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel