Yes, every single Kopite around the world was sick as a parrot over the Rob Styles debacle but in all honesty I don’t think it affected our chances of winning the league. Clashes among the ‘Big Four’ are always close affairs and good results against the other three don’t necessarily win you the league (e.g. Arsenal beat man U at Old Trafford while managing a draw at home last season but finished far below the champions).
Better yet, look at our own performances against our big rivals last term and you’ll agree we did play reasonably well with the exception of Man U away. We won two but lost four which translates into a six point deficit but we all know we finished a massive 21 points off the pace.
Over the last decade, Liverpool have always upped the ante against these bigger teams (and of course in the derby games) but our undoing has been against the so-called minnows or less fashionable sides in the league. Don’t believe me? In 2004/05 season, we managed to conquer Arsenal at home and Chelsea in Europe but we lost home and away to (eventually) relegated Southampton!!! These are the games that really derail our title challenge and we need to change this trend, starting this Saturday against Sunderland. This fixture is followed by Derby (h), Pompey (a), Birmingham (h) and Wigan (a) – games in which we must collect maximum points if we are seriously going to win that elusive 19th title.
I view these games in September as the crucial ones, especially Sunderland away (never easy going up against newly promoted teams who'd kick you and trying to bully you out of the game).We all saw how difficult Pompey can be during the pre-season tour of Hong Kong while Wigan can conjure up some unexpected results.Though other teams have been sticking goals pass them for fun, we always tend to struggle in this “tricky banana skin” encounters. And let’s face it; this year probably sees the most difficult premiership challenge yet with virtually every team reinforcing their squads.
"You not gonna get any easy games this season, what with West Ham and Man City splashing the cash . . . Everyone’s having a go and there’ll be points dropped for everyone” pronounced veteran manager Pompey manager Harry Redknapp at the beginning of this campaign.
In the case of Sunderland, Spurs have already found out to their detriment and let’s hope we don’t go the same way. Roy Keane is fast establishing himself as a quality gaffer and the last thing we need is for an ex-manc skipper to add our scalps to his managerial belt. So c’mon, you Reds, let’s get behind our boys for what could be a crucial encounter this Saturday. It’ll be a true litmus test of our title credentials . . .
You'll Never Walk Alone,
El Presidente
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