Five reasons why fourth spot is Liverpool’s – sorry Arsenal and Chelsea
As Liverpool shape up for their first Wembley visit since the Spice Boys in 1996, talkSPORT take a look at five reasons why Kenny Dalglish should have no excuses for failing to finish in a top four spot this season…
ARSENAL ARE TERRIBLE THIS SEASON
Last year was the 14th in succession that Arsene Wenger has secured Champions League qualification for Arsenal, but the Frenchman's chances of maintaining that fantastic record look in severe doubt. The Gunners are on a dreadful run at present, having been drubbed 4-0 in Milan and dumped out of the FA Cup at Sunderland three days later, following some poor results in the league. Four points ahead of Liverpool in fourth, Arsenal have a Premier League visit to Anfield coming up, sandwiched in between tough looking games against Spurs and Newcastle, just when morale is at an all-time low. Liverpool must win that game and turn the screw.
CHELSEA ARE IN TURMOIL
Level on points with Arsenal in fifth, Chelsea were dealt a major blow when captain John Terry was ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury. The 3-1 Champions League defeat to Napoli, meanwhile - Chelsea's fifth game without a win - added to the woes of manager Andre Villas-Boas, who's admitted several senior players do not share his vision for Chelsea or the tactics he's deploying. Two points from a possible 12 in his last four league games in charge suggest this could be the first time Chelsea fail to qualify for Champions League football since Roman Abramovich arrived in 2003, and Liverpool - who've already beaten them twice this season - must take full advantage.
LIVERPOOL HAVE PLAYERS RETURNING TO FORM AND FITNESS
In contrast to Arsenal - who are missing Jack Wilshere, have struggled to get enough decent defenders fit and are overly reliant on Robin Van Persie for goals - and Chelsea - whose senior star players are revolting against boss Andre Villas-Boas - Liverpool are a united team of players on the up. Andy Carroll is hitting form at the right time, Luis Suarez is back from his lengthy ban, captain Steven Gerrard has returned from injury and defensively no team has conceded fewer shots on target than Liverpool this season. Even Stewart Downing chipped in with a nice assist against Brighton in the FA Cup. With just Lucas missing, the Reds have no excuses now.
CUP FORM WILL BOOST CONFIDENCE
If Liverpool can lift the League Cup this weekend at Wembley, it would be a first piece of silverware in six years and lift the whole club's confidence ahead of their Premier League run-in. Unlike Arsenal, the Reds are also still in the FA Cup hunt, having dumped rivals Man United out at Anfield. Aside from the psychological advantage of winning at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates in the league already this year, Liverpool also sent Chelsea crashing out of the League Cup, not to mention Man City. This should send confidence surging through the Reds, while Arsenal and Chelsea have theirs sapped by chastening cup struggles.
ARSENAL AND CHELSEA YET TO VISIT ANFIELD
Although Newcastle may have different ideas, it looks to us here at talkSPORT towers like a three horse race for fourth spot between Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. Crucially, the Reds have yet to play their London rivals at Anfield in the league, where Dalglish hasn't tasted defeat since losing to Spurs in May 2011, so Arsenal and Chelsea will face a tough task on Merseyside.
What do you think? Is fourth spot Liverpool's to throw away, or will they find it tough to make up the four point gap while competing in two cup competitions? Have your say by commenting below…