This is not a happy time for Liverpool FC. On the pitch the team is struggling, off it there's the ever looming shadow of financial melt-down. Yet there's one area where the club remains as strong as ever: the support of its fans. That much was on evidence in the trip at Wigan when the away section was full and kept on singing despite the lack of character that those wearing red on the pitch were showing. But, then again, that's how it has been all season.

And then there are the banners. There's no other club in Britain with such a rich tapestry of banners, all of which laced with humour, criticism or acknowledgement of past sucesses, most of which are collected in the excellent book Genius Does as it Must.

It is also unlikely that any club will ever catch up for the simple reason that the tradition that exists fuells the desire to keep on improving and getting new banners on the Kop. One of the most spectacular to make it of late is the one that features the silhouttes of four great Liverpool managers - Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish - along with Rafa Benitez who is obviously the current man in the job.

As always, there are those who disagree with the inclusion of Benitez arguing that he hasn't yet reached the status of the others being pictured and that having him should have meant the inclusion of Graeme Souness, Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier. Yet banners are there to inspire and support which is exactly what this one does: the inclusion of Benitez offers backing to the current manager whilst the mention of the four greats is there to offer inspiration through the memory of past achievements. So there isn't really much wrong with it.

So, it would appear, seem to think many fans given that their requests have led to shirts are being made bearing the image on the banner. Initial images of the shirt look great and for €12 it looks like a great deal. Anyone interested in getting the shirst can look here for more information or else drop a mail to irishkop@live.com.

Note: This is not a paid advert.