Liverpool - Tottenham: Breaking point?

Change needed or line of decline will continue, says Geoff Shreeves

Until Alberto Aquilani told me to look at the league table today I couldn't think of single scrap of good news concerning Liverpool Football Club.

Warring owners? Check. Huge debts? Check. Best Players injured? Check. Best players now intimating through third parties that they have had enough of all this and are thinking of leaving? Check. Manager asked in equal amounts if he is quitting or being sacked? Check. No money for new players? Check. That's a pretty comprehensive list of the attributes required for a once-mighty club staring rapid decline right in the face (also see Leeds United, Newcastle, Sheffield Wednesday for previous).


However, the league table does not lie and as the Italian pointed out, The Reds are currently only four points off fourth place so is talk of writing off the season in January the stuff of doom merchants?

Attainable

The personable Roman is finally fully fit and could just add a much-needed spark and freshness to Liverpool's campaign. With other results going their way what looked like points dropped at Stoke on Saturday quickly turned to a point gained. Fourth place is definitely attainable but there is no question that such a less than lofty target underlines just how far the club have fallen behind their rivals.

What I'm wondering is just what will give first? One of the owners to crack and sell up? Rafa to walk away? Torres or Gerrard to move on? Which ever way you look at it, something has to give or the line of decline will continue.

What will be of the most concern to Liverpool fans is not just the future but the immediate future, and that is Tottenham at home on Wednesday.

It can't be easy either playing or managing under such pressure regardless of the financial rewards and real character is required now.

Record

This game is absolutely huge and were Spurs to go seven points clear of Benitez's side, then Aquilani's refreshing optimism will look more like forlorn hope.

History is on Liverpool's side with Spurs not beating one of the 'Big Four' away in the last 65 attempts - a shocking record which could either intimidate or inspire Tottenham.

Having said that, that win was at Anfield in 1993 with two goals from Teddy Sheringham sealing victory.

In terms of Champions league places this game is HUGE. If Liverpool win then they are right back in it, lose then they really are in it! Liverpool 11/8, Spurs 2/1, the draw 9/4.

(lu sur Sky Sports)