Liverpool’s six pack test…

Monday, 28/11/2011

by Nick Teale, Shoot's Liverpool blogger

Liverpool's next six Premier League games are vital.

Fulham, QPR, Aston Villa, Wigan, Blackburn and Newcastle are the opponents and none of those teams would usually be referred to in a batch of 'vital' games, not unless you are involved in a relegation battle.

However, Liverpool's problem this season has been beating teams like the aforementioned.

Kenny Dalglish's side have proved they can perform well and get results against the best the Premier League has to offer.

Hard-earned and deserved wins away at Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton provided the evidence that the Reds have the desire and ability to defeat the best, while few would argue that Liverpool were unlucky not to defeat the two Manchester sides in the 1-1 draws against the League's top two teeams.

It has been Sunderland, Norwich and Swansea who have most frustrated the Reds, each of them leaving Anfield with a point in games which Liverpool dominated but, crucially, were unable to find the cutting edge required to win three points.

Swansea and Norwich both played admirably against us but both newly-promoted sides will admit that it was their goalkeeper who earned them the point.

Liverpool will go into each of their next six League games as favourites but each opponent will enter the match confident of taking something from Suarez and co.

If Liverpool play as they did against Chelsea and Manchester City they will be unlucky not to take a maximum 18 points from December's fixtures.

However, that there is the very issue. Can Liverpool perform as they did against Chelsea and City on a consistent basis, and against less glamorous opposition?

Perhaps the key to that will be the return of Steven Gerrard. Though Dalglish refuses to put a date on it, we should see our captain back in action this month.

Charlie Adam and Lucas have been superb recently and it was their control of the midfield that should earn most of the credit for our last two results.

Adding the grit, determination and inspiration of Gerrard to that mix - not to mention his sublime ability - could drive Liverpool further up the table.

Andre Villas-Boas claimed that Chelsea's 3-0 win over Wolves proves they are genuine title contenders but in reality it does little more than prove they aren't in the same mire as Roy Hodgson's Liverpool were 12 months ago.

His side is one in decline and their £50m substitute still seems a long way from forcing Didier Drogba out of the starting XI. In fact, it seems as though Villas-Boas has given up on El Nino.

I am convinced that both third and fourth place are up for grabs this season, with four clubs battling it out to secure them.

Tottenham are clear favourites at the moment while a Robin Van Persie inspired Arsenal look like hot property at the moment, despite their draw with Fulham on Saturday.

But if Liverpool can prove their worth against the likes of QPR, Wigan and Blackburn then we too will be in with an outstanding chance of finishing the season amongst the top four. If we can't, then we don't deserve a place in the Champions League.

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