-
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard - Source: Reuters -
Related
As a Liverpool fan, a Chelsea clash, along with the Merseyside derby and taking on Man United, are the first fixtures you look for when the list is released.
But it is a sad state of affairs when fans are forced to decide between losing to the current Premier League leaders, or giving a helping hand towards a 19th League title for their bitterest rivals - something that can only be described as choosing between the lesser of the two evils.
And in what is sure to be an awkward afternoon at Anfield on Sunday, that is exactly what they will be forced to do.
Because if Rafa Benitez's men manage to get one over Chelsea, then they know that they are helping Manchester United move increasingly closer to becoming the most successful football club in England's history - a title that has helped Liverpool, who have failed to win the Premier League title since its incarnation in 1992, through the good times and the bad.
Alex Ferguson is convinced that Liverpool will not lie down for Chelsea - who sit just one point ahead of United on the League table, but the master of mind games is also convinced they will not willingly throw their history away.
"Great clubs don't throw their histories away; they don't throw their traditions away for one game. (Liverpool) have been in 10 European finals and won 18 titles and that is a fantastic history and you don't throw that away," he was quoted as saying yesterday.
And, although it pains me to say it, for once Ferguson is right.
The XI that will line-up to face Carlo Ancelotti's side are professional footballers, and while they may go into the match with the heads low after being dumped out of the Europa League by Atletico Madrid in an emotional night at Anfield on Friday, there is no chance that Liverpool will roll over for their Premier League rivals - just like they refused to lie-down for the Kenny Daglish managed Blackburn Rovers, after their 2-1 win almost gave United the title in 1995.
And, of course, just like then, the best possible outcome for both Chelsea and Liverpool, would be for United to slip-up against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light - but Ferguson's men will aleady know the lie of the land before kick-off
And while Liverpool grabbing a victory against Chelsea - who fired in seven past Stoke in their last game - is not impossible, it is almost laughable.
Liverpool are, after all, a club in crisis.
After maintaining a strong title challenge last season, only to fall to United at the final hurdle, Liverpool, who have lost ten league games this season, are now a cash-strapped shadow of their former selves, with a clearly insufficient strikeforce, a glaring lack of depth, and a manager that seems sure to be heading for pastures new.
And while the Reds' talisman Steven Gerrard may have said: "We owe it to the supporters to finish with a win," as it is, the majority of Liverpool fans will be hoping that rather than finishing their season with a bang, they finish their last home game of the season with a loss to Ancelotti's men - which would be a fitting end to the most tumultuous and gut-wrenching season since Bill Shankly entered those infamous Anfield gates to transform the club over 40 years ago.
Watch match highlights from the English Premier League Free at TVNZ Ondemand
