Five Questions for Liverpool

By Jeff McIntyre | 16th February 2009

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fernando-torres_iv Two points behind Man United and three points clear of Villa with thirteen games to go in the season, Liverpool clearly have some questions to ask themselves if they are to win their first ever Premier League title.

1. Will the Reds continue to win with Gerrard on the shelf?

Saying that Stevie G. is the glue of the squad is an understatement. Liverpool do not have a history of winning when Gerrard is not in the starting eleven. Rafa does not seem to be confident with the substitutes in his lineup without him either. Look for him to play multiple combinations and formations until Stevie returns.

2. Can Torres stay healthy?

Having missed a large chunk of the season due to some recurring hamstring problems, there is major uncertainty around Fernando’s ability to stay fit. He will have to train with and play for Spain in two more WCQ’s between now and the end of the Premiership season. Many believe that it is the training regime and style of play implemented by former national team manager, Luis Aragones, and current manager Vincente Del Bosque that has led to the injuries of several players. If Torres does go down again, there will be a glaring hole at striker left open with last month’s departure of Robbie Keane. I don’t think Ngog is going to be able to perform on a Keane-like level should he get the call.

3. Will Rafa Benitez stay focused?

I can’t recall a season where Benitez has had so much pressure to perform. He’s won in Europe in the past and he’s managed to pull off some huge victories against Chelsea and Man United this season, but because of his continued media outbursts he’s found himself on a rather short leash with a titanium choke collar. If Rafa starts thinking about where he wants to land next and loses focus on the task at hand, look for the Reds to suffer greatly.

4. Do they have what it takes to be champions?

Now don’t get me wrong, I love Liverpool and want more than anything to see them win the league title, but everytime I look at this team I see a lack of chemistry. This team that Benitez has assembled is made up of eleven individuals, but not necessarily eleven individuals playing as one. Daniel Agger is the most recent player to come out and announce his dissatisfaction with the way the team is being run, and of course his playing time. All I’m saying is that championship caliber teams are not complaining about anything at this point in the season.

5. Will United and Villa falter?

Not only are Liverpool players and fans hoping that defending champions Manchester United slip off their current form, but they are also staring in the rearview mirror at a Villa club that is really gaining momentum.

United are facing Fulham, Blackburn and Newcastle over the next few weeks, before the big matchup with Liverpool on March 14 at Old Trafford. I do not foresee them dropping any points prior to the big match.

Villa have a little tougher haul with a matchup against Hiddink’s Chelsea squad, then matchups with Stoke and Man City. They can probably expect to take 7 out of a possible 9 points during this stretch.

As for Liverpool, the key matchups remaining that they must win, include the aforementioned March 14 game at Old Trafford, the following week when Villa comes to Anfield and on April 18 when Arsenal comes to town.

Scousers, if we can answer these questions correctly, then we will lift the cup, but answer any one of them in err and our title hopes are doomed.

Can Liverpool secure the title at long last? Have your say in the Premiership Talk Forums!

Zain Alvi says:

February 17, 2009 at 12:05 pm

Haha I see your point…if it has to come down between them and the Mancs, though, I hope they finally win their first “Premier League” title!

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Jeff McIntyre says:

February 17, 2009 at 1:53 am

Zain,

Thanks for the feedback. The Reds have actually never won a “Premier League” title, since the Premiership has been in existence. They have however, won several League 1 titles in its former state.

Cheers,

Jeff

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Zain Alvi says:

February 17, 2009 at 1:00 am

Did I just read in the first paragraph that “Liverpool are to win their first title?” I believe they have already won many Premier League titles back in the day. I guess you were trying to point out that it’s been centuries since they won it but still, we can’t erase the history that suggests they actually dominated English football and won a bunch of titles 2-3 decades ago.

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