Liverpool v Tottenham - Match Preview

Today's afternoon kick-off sees Liverpool welcome Tottenham to Anfield for what is, for Brendan

LFC Squad. Could be worse. Could be better too

Rodgers' men, a chance to take pole position in the Premiership. If ever there was a must win game for LFC, then we'll be seeing it come 4pm this today. After yesterday's results, Liverpool have the top spot there for the taking and if the team is going to have any hope of lifting the title this season, then this is the chance to get one hand on it.

The weekend could not have gone any better for Liverpool upto now. Chelsea were done over 1-0 by a hungry Crystal Palace side who are fighting tooth and nail to remain in the top flight. Manchester City faltered at Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium. I remain positive. I don't believe Tottenham or Tim Sherwood have what it takes to overturn Liverpool or Brendan Rodgers. Before Tottenham's win over Southampton last week, they hadn't won since the 1-0 home victory over strugglers Cardiff. The fact that all of the games since then and last week have been against what you'd generally call "Quality" opposition (Chelsea, Arsenal and Benfica), it's only natural to conclude that Tottenham struggle against this type of opposition. The type in which one can definitely count Liverpool.

Tactically, it's almost a given that Rodgers will start with the same side that's been doing so well since the turn of the year. The only change I can see is perhaps Raheem Sterling starting in place of Philippe Coutinho but then, that's something I've expected for the last few games and it hasn't come about. Expect the home side to press high up the pitch and pressure the Spurs midfield. Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger will have to be at their combative best and obviously, avoid the individual errors that have cost the team goals in recent weeks. The right tactics though, are only one element of what is required.

I recall the ex-Liverpool winger John Barnes being asked in an interview "What is the secret for Liverpool's success?". Barnes' response was "Well firstly, we have the best players and secondly, the Gaffer just tells us to go out and enjoy ourselves". So for a start, Liverpool don't have the best players. Perhaps the best strikers and one or two midfielders arguably, but in defence certainly not. Thus Barnes' first point is irrelevant for the current team. However, what they can do is to go out tomorrow and enjoy themselves and I'm glad that Rodgers has put that point to the team ahead of tomorrow's match via the Liverpool Echo. 

Nobody knew that the team would be where they are at the beginning of the season. As underdogs for the Premiership - which they undoubtedly are - they shouldn't be feeling the pressure. That's the job of Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal but not Liverpool. They're in the mix and clearly have a chance but I'm not convinced that Liverpool will win the title. Mainly because there's no depth in the squad. All it takes is a 2-match yellow card ban (Steven Gerrard), an injury to Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge or indeed Gerrard, and then the title challenge will likely be as over as Austin Rover. The squad is right now four or five key players - not squad players - short of being genuine title material and Rodgers knows this. 

The bottom line is, Liverpool FC have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The apparent nervousness on Wednesday against Sunderland from both the team and supporters should not be. In reality, we've got to be happy we got this far. Surely that's worth celebrating. And come Monday 12th May, we might be celebrating still further.

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Cardiff City v Liverpool - Match Preview

Liverpool travel to the Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow in a game that pits the current leaders of the form guide versus the bottom side. It's hard to see the Reds coming away with anything other than three points and it would take a very confident, if not foolhardy man to bet against Brendan Rodgers' side. To quote the FM 2013 press response: "Confidence is high and the team are playing with the freedom
this brings..."!

Liverpool are indeed flying high right now on the back of some top drawer performances. Second in

Daniel Sturridge: The new Frazier Campbell?

the Premiership and top of the form table with five wins and a draw from their last six games translating to 16 points from the 18 available. Along the way, Rodgers' men have earned well-deserved plaudits with the clinical despatching of Arsenal and Manchester United and notching up 19 goals. Title talk is now rife and one can feel the belief in team, the manager and the fans. The club is even the popular choice with the public. Does that make them the Housewives favourite...? Enough already! Before we all get carried away and start printing the "N-n-n-n 19" T-Shirts, let's take a look at the current state of play at the top of the table.

With all the furore of the trophy heading to Anfield, the main contenders and let's not forget still, favourites to come out on top, are Manchester City and they have two games in hand on second and third placed Liverpool and Arsenal respectively. Given their goal difference, they could, theoretically be on top of the pile if they win them. And, seeing as they welcome rock-bottom Fulham to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, there's a good chance the theory could well turn into reality. I always find it odd how the papers and the fans alike seem to miss that reality. Yes, it's fair to say Liverpool are in with a shout, but the odds remain squarely stacked against them and it would do us fans no harm to add a sprinkle of realism to the big bowl of optimism going round at the moment.

On the other hand concerning Liverpool's opponents tomorrow, since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came through the doors at Cardiff City FC on 2nd January this year, the side has won only two of the ten games played. The hefty concession of 20 goals en route does not bode well for them either. One has to wonder what made Solskjaer take the hotseat offered by controversial owner Vincent Tan. Let's face it, following a successful spell as Manager of the Manchester Utd. reserve team - beating the Liverpool reserve side to the Lancashire Senior Trophy in the 2007/8 season. Then, going on to manage Molde FK and winning back to back Tippeligaen championships, you'd have thought he'd sit tight and wait for a perhaps, more "reputable" side to approach him. Arguably, the Bluebirds' Managerial seat is somewhat more of a poisoned chalice. Being realistic, that's the closest they have to a cup this season. 

Cardiff's two wins have come against Fulham and Norwich but that hasn't stopped them being firmly rooted second from bottom in the Premiership. Thus a seven point return from a possible 30 will likely only guarantee 41 year-old Solskjaer Championship football come August. It's quite likely that he'd have had more joy taking over another side. He clearly has some potential but as a replacement for the dearly departed Malky Mackay, I'm not sure he's improved the team if at all. You could argue that Mackay certainly had a better win ratio over 10 games winning three and picking up three draws along the way. Not exactly the record of world beaters, but the Baby-faced Assassin's tenure has coupled with a steady decline.

I really can't see where Cardiff's threat can come from tomorrow. The Independent made a "head-to-head" this afternoon between Cardiff's Frazier Campbell and Liverpool's very own Daniel Sturridge. Is there any point? I was struggling for what to write after such an eventful weekend and clearly, I'm not the only one. If we look at Campbell's season stats, we see five goals from 24 appearances, compared to Sturridge's 18 from 19. In old money, that's a 95% chance of scoring during a game. Compare that to Campbell's 20% and you can see where the smart money lies.

As you know, I don't make predictions, however, I'd suggest a healthy win for the visitors tomorrow, by a two or three goal margin. Football is a funny old game as someone used to say, so with that in mind, let's hope we still have something to smile about come 5pm tomorrow.

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Manchester United v Liverpool - Match Preview

In around 24 hours from now, Liverpool FC arrive at Old Trafford with the intention of tightening their grip on fourth place and at the same time, inflicting more misery on David Moyes Manchester United side in a season that has seen the balance of power between the two clubs swing firmly toward the Reds of Merseyside. Brendan Rodgers' men will have to be at their very best in a game that ranks 

Lucas Leiva: Key man for LFC

alongside Barcelona - Real Madrid; Borussia Dortmund - Bayern Munich, and AC and Inter Milan teams in being some of the most hotly contested rivalries in world football. 

Liverpool have good news going into the match with Lucas Leiva and Mamadou Sakho returning from injury and available for selection, leaving Jose Enrique as the only player retaining the proverbial Sicknote. The choice of midfielders at Rodgers' disposal; Leiva, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Joe Allen translates to a fully fit first choice midfield plus Victor Moses and Luis Alberto. In terms of formation, I'd like to see both Gerrard and Lucas playing in front of the back four - which should perhaps include Sakho in place of Daniel Agger - with Henderson or Allen in front of them and behind an attacking trio of Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling. The benefit of Lucas' return is that it will give Gerrard some more freedom to advance in midfield and put through balls in to the runs of breaking attackers. In any case the choice of personnel  leaves the Gaffer with the nightmare many of his peers could only dream of having!

United will no doubt have Marouane Fellaini continue in midfield following his performances in the last two games for them. The absence of his physical presence, eye for a pass and undoubted skill has left the Red Devils wanting in the middle of the park for much of the season. Other than Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and of course Robin Van Persie, don't give United have enough for Liverpool to fear. Having said that, this is still for the most part, the team that won the league last season. As such, Liverpool have a very tough afternoon's work ahead of them if they wish to come away from Old Trafford with anything, let alone three points. 

Tactically, I believe Liverpool will continue with their high pressing, counter-attacking approach and deny the home side any time on the ball. Interestingly, Liverpool have made the fewest crosses (410) in the Premiership of all the top ten teams with the exception of Everton (392). Manchester United on the other hand have made the most (692) and this is a very telling stat. It follows that David Moyes' tactics are perhaps outmoded given the season they've had. I for one, don't believe this is a coincidence. It's clear to me that playing a high pressure, counter-attacking game with through balls to fast attackers - allied to possession football, is an infinitely more effective approach than simply getting crosses in from the flanks. Liverpool have shown this to devastating effect against their neighbours Everton and Arsenal among others this season, so go figure. 

One cannot ignore the fact however, that this fixture is as good as a derby due to the relative close proximity of the sides and the unrivalled history between them. Arsenal - Tottenham Hotspurs; Newcastle United - Sunderland; Swansea and Cardiff Cities; Chelsea - Fulham. All great rivalries, great clubs in their own rights but no disrespect to them, meetings between these teams don't capture the imagination quite like Manchester United versus Liverpool. The two from North London perhaps, but there's still something missing. Some history, some achievement some thing that goes just a little further than bragging rights and this is what makes this match such a tough one to call. On paper and current form, you'd expect the Merseysiders to come out on top and quite rightly so but the games are always such tight, emotional affairs that anything can happen on the day. 

Liverpool haven't won at Old Trafford for about five years now. However like many a Liverpool fan, I have faith in Brendan Rodgers. He's the man to take the team forward and I've believed as much since he took over. I don't make predictions but I'm suggesting a win for Liverpool. The manager has taken the team to a new level. A higher, more modern and effective level. Above that being occupied by Moyes' men. It's my belief that Moyes needs to overhaul his thinking, his approach, his game plan if he wishes to follow in the massive footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson. For me, I can wait for that. Take your time David. No rush!

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Is Sol Campbell a victim of racism or himself?

Sol Campbell... Is it cos 'e is Black?

It's not often I find myself writing for four consecutive days in a row. Not just because there is a limit to my considerable literary prowess, but it's also possible that one can over-egg the cake. However, yesterday morning I saw the interview on TV where Sol Campbell claimed he'd have been England captain for "...10 years had he been white...". Intriguing. 

I mentioned this to a Journalist and broadcaster and during our discussion, he alerted me to the Dispatches program on Channel 4 last night that was addressing the perennial issue of racism, homophobia and anti-semitism at football grounds. It was sad, but alas not surprising to see, that despite the efforts of the authorities, the disease of bigotry is still evident in football. I was also disappointed - but not surprised - by Jason Roberts' revelation that he was racially abused on a regular basis by opposing fans, and worse still, by his own "supporters". What I noticed was that the perpetrators were from the same clubs that have had long histories of hooligan, prejudiced, abusive and disorderly followers. These being among others, Millwall, West Ham and those from across the park, Everton where a few of there own were shown being particularly insulting about Daniel Sturridge. 

Ultimately, it's clear that abuse in football stems from society as a whole. Racism in football per se is a falsehood. Harsh, but true. And as such, it is everybody's responsibility to do something about it. If we think the FA, UEFA or whoever alone can stamp out this unsavoury facet of the beautiful game, then we're very sadly mistaken. Having said that, I do believe the Police can also do more. During the programme yesterday, there were Police officers standing beside fans (I use the term very loosely - perhaps scum would be more appropriate) who were hurling verbal abuse at Brighton, Leicester City and Tottenham supporters at various matches. The reaction of the police, on each occasion... Sweet FA, if you excuse the pun. 

To rid the game of these ills, football must not be seen as a separate issue. Yes have the Kick it Out campaign and other initiatives, but they should be aligned with the wider society. If the culprits were brought to book and exposed, I'm sure we'll find the guilty are from all walks of life. From Accountants to Stockbrokers, to Bricklayers and Plumbers. I disagree that the football ground should be seen as being apart from the street in terms of law enforcement. A football pitch is the public in my opinion and if the club or the FA don't, or can't do anything about a particular event, then the police should. An incident should be treated in the same way as if it were in the street, in a train, shop or wherever. To continue with this distinction, or waiting for one to "launch an investigation" before the other can act is just lame. The fact is the FA and the club can only do so much. The rest of us, supporters, the general public and police must do the rest in partnership and between us all, we can make a difference. 

Going back to Campbell, I really don't agree with him and where he's coming from. Paul Ince was England captain, and for a vital world cup qualifier at that. Albeit due to an injury, I think the fact that he was chosen by Glenn Hoddle confirms the faith in, and high regard in which Hoddle held for, Ince. For Campbell to say he would have been captain for 10 years is almost laughable. He'd have been the only player, if memory serves me right, let alone black player to serve that length of time. It's probably more true to the point that a number of reasons contributed to his not being selected more often as captain. More suitable teammates, PR and most importantly, his own attitude. 

Personally, I think Sol Campbell was a good solid player. Reliable. Commanding. Strong. He has also fought tirelessly against racism in football, and in fairness to him addressed head on the problems facing inner city black youth with crime, unemployment and such and asserted that many of the victims were their own worst enemies. Could it be here that he is being his own worst enemy? I'm a black man. I've been so for longer than Sol Campbell and, as an ordinary bloke, I've not had the same privilege and protection perhaps, as has been afforded to him. However, what I can say is that in order to get on in society, be you Black, White, Asian, Marsian no matter what it's absolutely vital that you have the right Attitude. This is absolutely key. Abundantly clear. The right attitude enables everybody to see each other for who or what they are without putting colour, religion, sexuality or other first and to act and be perceived as an equal. My opinion is that Sol's attitude has gone before him where selection as captain is concerned. It may even be that he's trying to do the very same thing that may have prevented him from becoming captain during his career. Some good solid PR. After all, he does have a biography to promote and what better card to play... Than the Ace of Race!

Sol Campbell has been quoted as saying he may have to leave the country to further his management ambitions. If he does that would be a great shame but all in all, the strongest and fittest survive. Not just physically, but in attitude also. 

Follow me on Twitter: @ Mrbengreen

Arsenal v Liverpool - Match preview

Today at 4pm the FA Cup Fifth Round brings Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium to take on an Arsenal side still reeling from their 5-1 pasting at the hands of the visitors a week earlier. Since that result befell Arsene Wenger's team, the ramifications have been quite startling.

The Gooners went on to draw against what has become, a rather average Manchester United side, and then, Wenger found himself embroiled in yet another war of words with his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho who labelled him a "specialist in failure" following another round of mind games initiated by the Alsacian's statement that Chelsea had "...the Premiership title to lose...". Arsenal and indeed Wenger himself will also find it hard to put to one side, the thought that after tomorrow's visit by Liverpool, they travel to Bavaria on Wednesday for their Champions League first leg knockout phase match against Bayern Munich who incidentally, currently lay a healthy 13 points clear atop the German Bundesliga. 

I can't help but feel that all of this plays into Liverpool's hands. One can't deny that Arsenal are in a turbulent period right now. Could this be the start of another infamous implosion brought about by the pressure of looking down at the rest of the Premiership? I don't believe there is as much pressure on Rodgers' charges as there is on Wenger's right now. I wouldn't even consider Liverpool to be favorites for today's match. I'm surprised that someone of Wenger's experience has managed to get himself and his team into this current predicament. Perhaps he's had a chat with an old friend of his, one Sir Alex Ferguson? Rodgers has done well to distance himself from the whole mind games fiasco and this will be of benefit to his team. The less distractions the better, and Wenger has a fair few right now. Mostly of his own making. 

For Liverpool to win, they need to take a different approach to last week. Wenger will be looking to "put things right with Liverpool" as he stated Friday and I think this leaves them only one option, and that's to attack and press the Reds as hard as they can from the off. Liverpool have shown against Everton that they are more than capable of playing a lethal counter attacking game and should be able to cope. That is, if Daniel Agger starts in place of Kolo Touré who's had a woeful time of late. 

The return of Agger to the heart of the defence will bring the much-needed stability and organization that's been missing during his absence. This is a certainty. In the seven games since Agger's injury, Liverpool have shipped nine goals and failed to keep a clean sheet since the 2-0 win against Bournmouth. This compares to conceding six in the last seven games where Agger was involved and the team kept three clean sheets. Bare in mind that four of those goals were against Manchester City and Chelsea, and you can see the difference he makes to the side. This is no coincidence and I don't think Rodgers needs to be reminded of this either. Perhaps he does need reminding that he should concentrate on bolstering the defense during the next transfer window. 

Other than that, I don't see any other changes to the Liverpool side. This game will be as much a mental test for both sides as it will be a physical one. Particularly for Arsenal. Their heads dropped massively against Liverpool last week and they appeared short on confidence against Man Utd during the week. If Liverpool can keep them in check for the first 20 minutes of each half, I don't see Arsenal having the mental resilience to wear the visitors down and, should they succeed to fail - to use a Mourinhoism - then one could even argue that they lost today's game already a week ago. 

We'll know everything by 6pm tonight. Will Brendan's men get rodgered, or will the Gooners be goners? I don't expect a high scoring game but then... Stranger things have happened. 

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Fulham v Liverpool - Preview

The Reds of Liverpool travel down to the Capital

Luis Suarez: A sign of things to come?

tonight to take on rock-bottom Fulham, fresh from the emphatic 5-1 mauling handed out to Arsenal at the weekend. The inevitable title winning talk that followed, continues to be wide of the mark. Needless to say, anything can happen, but suffice to say Liverpool aren't quite Champion material quite yet.

Optimism has be the word for Liverpool fans and Brendan Rodgers' team going in to this match. Confidence is high and the team is playing with the freedom that this brings. Add to that the fact that Liverpool have not scored less than three goals against the bottom sides this season - 14 in total to be precise with only three against - and it would take a brave man to bet against Liverpool tonight. The players deserved the plaudits that came their way over the weekend after a result that few would have predicted. Few other than a friend and fellow Reds supporter who bagged a good few quid with a punt on... Liverpool to win 5-1!

The ease and efficiency with which the team dispatched with their visitors on Saturday left many a gasp but not everyone. When asked during the post-match interview if the plan was to score as many, and as early, as possible, Brendan Rodgers replied "Well we've been doing that all season, really..." and you have to say, he's correct. Against Manchester City and Chelsea however, that came back to haunt them, suffering 2-1 reversals on both occasions. Those two teams remain for me, the contenders for the title, and the only teams who can pose any threat to Liverpool. I wouldn't have counted Arsenal before the weekend and I certainly won't count them now. Despite that I think they'll give Manchester United a beating tonight as a result of Saturday.

Having said that, there are no easy games in the Premier League and Liverpool have been found wanting against the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Swansea City. The only upside there is that they were all drawn and points gained nonetheless. Games they'd probably have lost in recent years. However, the performances against Hull City where the Reds were well and truly done over 3-1 and the feeble 1-0 loss to Southampton are the kinds of matches that simply cement my view that Liverpool are not quite there yet. There is a pattern there. three of the five results I've mentioned were away from home, and this is my only concern going into tonight's match at Craven Cottage.

In terms of the starting eleven, I don't see any change from Saturday's team. Jose Enrique and Lucas Leiva are still not back in training and whilst Daniel Agger is, I suspect tonight's match may be a tad too soon for him. Mamadou Sakho shall remain out for the next month or so. The Liverpool Bench is looking very thin and quite unconvincing at this point and I'm not sure the squad can stand many, if any more, injuries for the time being. The bench on Saturday's consisted of just one defender and this fuels my opinion that Rodgers must strengthen the back line in the next window.

On the balance of things, I think Liverpool should come away with the three points tonight, and with a margin of a couple of goals, despite the apparent inconsistency on their travels. As a tactic, I'm sure the team will attack the Fulham left because at 33, I don't believe John Arne Riise is going to be able to do much with Raheem Sterling. I don't think even Robert Frederick Chelsea Moore can help the cottagers tonight. The Tube strike is off, and the match is on.  My message for the players, as Francis Underwood would say "...Don't disappoint me!"

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal - Match Report

I'm da man!!

In the words of an old commentator "It's becoming a rout...!" And so it came to pass. It did today, with Liverpool giving Arsenal a good hiding at Anfield this afternoon. For the first 20 minutes, Brendan Rodgers' men were simply unplayable as they stormed into a 3-0 lead to leave the Gunners shell-shocked.

Two goals from set pieces by Martin Skrtel in the first and tenth minutes put Liverpool on their way, and from then on the writing was on the wall. The Reds pressed and harried the visitors and allowed them no time to settle. It's fair to say for the first half hour, it looked as if Liverpool would score with every attack as the visitors succumbed to wave after wave of attack. On 16 minutes, industrious play by Jordan Henderson winning the ball from Jack Wilshere to find Luis Suarez in space. The latter's low centre was met gratefully at the far post by the irrepressible and unmarked Raheem Sterling who slotted home to deliver a mountain for Arsene Wenger's men to climb if they were to salvage anything from the game.

Four minutes later, eagle-eyed Philippe Coutinho had the vision to slot an absolute slide-rule pass into the stride of Daniel Sturridge who broke from midfield between the two dozing Arsenal centre backs and notched up his 15th Premier League goal of the season. Poor Wojciech Szczesny could only look on as the ball bulged the back of his net for a fourth time. This was surely game over now for Arsenal. Liverpool's energetic tempo in midfield gave the visitors no hope of getting back into the game. Wilshere's frustration was clear to see as he tangled endlessly with Coutinho and the immense Steven Gerrard, excelling in his new role in front of the back four.

At the start of the second half, Arsenal showed some purpose to their game but it was clear to see from their body language that it was going to be a long, long drive back home to North London. Their heads had not only dropped, but squarely dragged on the lush green Anfield turf. It was against another half hearted Arsenal attack that the final nail into their coffin was dealt. Contrary to my assertion in the LFC File preview earlier, Aly Cissokho turned up for this match and was actually, "...all that". His forward clearance found the effervescent Sterling who controlled the ball neatly before stabbing home his second on the rebound from the on-rushing Szczesny - and effectively seal his man-of-the-match performance,. 

It was all over now. The fat lady didn't even have to open her mouth, let alone sing. The Kop cheered Liverpool's each pass as Wenger's men, bereft of ideas, chased the game to no avail. However, a clumsy challenge from captain Gerrard on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain inside the Red's area gave Mikel Arteta the chance to at least, spare Arsenal the ignominy of a complete whitewash. The penalty was greeted with cheers from both supporters. The Liverpool fans in keeping with their reputation for wit and sportsmanship!

So a good afternoon's work for Rodgers' men and a good result to set them up for their stay in London next week with away games at Fulham and, what will surely be a tasty FA Cup Fifth Round tie at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, following this result. The Reds have shown their promise today and I wouldn't even say this was their best performance of the season so far. The drubbings of Tottenham and Everton can't be overlooked either although given Arsenal's place at the top of the league one could argue as such. 

What I'd like to see though, is less of the kind of sloppy play that undone the side against West Bromwich Albion last week. As the teamtalk in Football Manager goes... "Why can't you play like this every week?"

Follow me on Twitter: @ Mrbengreen

Liverpool v Arsenal preview

Got some thinking to do...

In a few minutes from now Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side host Premiership leaders Arsenal at Anfield, and like with every fixture between now and the 11th May, is a must win for the Reds.

It goes without saying that Liverpool have not done well against the teams above them in the league this season having taken a big fat zero points from the possible nine available from Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea. Cries of bad luck, poor refereeing aside, the final scoreline speaks for itself, and this is what matters. The biggest issue for Liverpool this season, in my opinion has been their defence. Shocking would not have been an understatement for many an occasion this season and this is something Rodgers must remedy.

I don't believe the inability to capture an obscure Ukrainian attacking midfielder in January to be the failure of Liverpool, but rather the lack of focussing on bringing in a competent defender to shore up the leaky back line. This is absolutely clear and I don't know what team observers are watching if they see missing out on signing Yehven Konoplyanka as the death knell for Liverpool's season. Only Man City have scored more goals than Liverpool so far this term thus the attacking element in the side does not appear to be the burning issue. The fact that they've shipped more goals than the rest of the top five sides is.

The one saving grace for Liverpool is that all the losses against the top teams have come away from home and the chance to play the top three sides in front of their own fans is definitely an advantage. I for one am expecting much more from the Reds at Anfield and let's hope the side give the fans - and themselves for that matter - something to be proud of. I'm not particularly bothered about the performance if I'm honest. The primary aim against the top sides must be to get the result. Point. These are the kind of games that will shape Rodgers fate and determine whether this season is a mere flash in the pan or a genuine 'Phoenix from the ashes' scenario.

Personally, I'd like to see Jon Flanagan and Martin Kelly starting as the full backs to give the team a bit more 'bite'. I don't think Aly Cissokho has been all that from what I've seen of him. There is certainly no room for the kind of mistake that Kolo Touré made to gift West Bromwich Albion an equaliser in the last fixture. For the midfield and attack, business as usual.

A win for Liverpool would give them 50 points and a five point cushion over Everton who have a difficult away trip to a resurgent Tottenham tomorrow - Not to mention three points behind Chelsea and Man City who occupy third and second respectively. Let's hope in a couple of hours we're talking about three points gained instead of two thrown away, or worse still, three given away.

Follow me on Twitter: @ Mrbengreen

To jinx or not to jinx

Let's hope you're laughing come May!

Contrary to what Billy Shakespeare wrote, this is actually the question. You see, no sooner had I revealed my superstitious fear of lauding Liverpool's start to the season, the wheels appeared to fall off the bandwagon of optimism. Yes, it was Arsenal and yes, they're top of the league and looking good value for it, but I can't bring myself to say that they're unbeatable In all fairness, games between these two are always impossible to call. Perhaps I just chose the wrong moment!

So, that said, I'm not overly disappointed with the result. I just see it as a reminder that there is still work for Brendan Rodgers and the whole team to do. I think the biggest undoing was playing three at the back. It seems to have worked well thus far this season, but against a top team I don't believe the manager should stray too far from the tried and trusted. Rodger's reasoning for playing this 3-5-2 is to accommodate both Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in attack. For me, that's a feeble excuse and not one I expect to hear from someone who, not so long ago, was claiming the players "Will play where they're told to".

The point I'm making is that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'd like to see Rodgers be bold enough to play one of them in a wider position, the other in the middle and simply have them swapping positions now and again. Surely that's got to pull the opposition defences all over the place trying to manage the two of them. When all is said and done though, the players are the ones who should stand up for the occasion and be counted and I don't think that happened until it was too late. Suarez reverted to his old self and missed a glorious chance to play Sturridge in for a near dead cert finish in the closing stages. Instead going it alone and pushing it wide. That has to stop. Aaron Ramsey's finish is definitely worth a mention.

A look at the next few fixtures provides, what I would say, is a chance for Liverpool to consolidate their place as a front runner this season. Fulham and Norwich at home either side of away fixtures at Everton and Hull respectively have got to be games that Liverpool should be looking to pick up maximum points. With the exception of the derby - which is always a bit of a lottery - you've got to fancy the Reds to do the business going into the Christmas shakeup. The festive season brings away games at Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea and the team needs the confidence going into that period. Ahead of that, a testing encounter at Upton Park to visit West Ham will also test LFC's "top-four" credentials.

I'm a believer that the season can be won and lost over Christmas so this is a time I'm really looking forward to. Will Rodgers' men build on what can only be described as surprisingly good start to the season? Or will they peter out like Newcastle, West Brom, or (more likely than not) Southampton have done in recent times? I don't do predictions but I'd suggest a two-goal margin in Liverpool's favour on Saturday against Fulham.

Where the league is concerned, time of course, will tell but - optimistically, I believe the top four is in reach and should be expected by all Liverpool fans. Realistically, I'd be happy with fifth because it means qualification for European competition and still represents an improvement on the previous season's effort. Improvement is all Liverpool fans can ask for given the shambles that the club became under Tom Hicks and George Gillet. Two that definitely weren't the best that Liverpool could get.

Follow me on Twitter @Mrbengreen