Hotting up nicely

How important might those four goals today be?

Ok, so it’s clear that securing 4th place is still going to be difficult for Liverpool, with City and Spurs holding all the relevant cards. However, with only two weekends remaining until the conclusion of the Premiership, with the points available becoming fewer each week, it still promises to be an entertaining, exciting and speculative finale.

Opponents don’t come much more challenging than Chelsea, whose visit to Anfield next Sunday is intensified due to their battle with Man United for the Premiership crown. This game is not about assisting United in winning their 19th league title, but instead it’s about Liverpool fight for 4th place, which ensures the services of top players, attracts other world-class players, brings in revenue, and allows the club to retain their seat at Europe’s top table.

Both City and Spurs dropped vital points this weekend, meaning just 2 points separate 4th placed Spurs and Liverpool in 7th; an exhilarating run-in. Furthermore, our 4 goals today have elevated our goal difference to +28, 1 more that City, 2 better off than the North Londoners, and a whole 10 goals superior to Villa. I would dearly like for that difference to be mirrored in the points table, but who knows how important goal difference might be come May 9th.

The media rightly cite the game at Eastlands a week on Wednesday, when Spurs are the travelling party, as the crunch fixture to decide which top four contender cements their place, but both Liverpool and Villa will have a say in matters yet.

If City and Spurs share the points, which they are likely to do given the heightened levels of prudence teams exhibit on such occasions, then it plays into the hands of Rafa’s men who will see it as the perfect result. City’s match against Villa next weekend is a similar ‘must not lose game’ for both sides, as both teams will show caution rather than verve.

However, all this rumination will be futile unless 3 points are won at home next weekend, against a team who’ve scored 7 today, have the bite between their teams, and don’t appear to willingly loosen their grip. Watch this space….