Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal

Goals:
Oxlade-Chamberlain 16'
Podolski 47'
Gerrard 59' (pen)

If Liverpool score on one, if not both, of its early chances, this ends very differently. But Daniel Sturridge did not score in either the 2nd or 5th minute, both times needing to take the shot with his weaker right foot, the first saved by Fabianski, the second hit into the side-netting.

For the next hour or so, Arsenal mostly did to Liverpool what Liverpool did to Arsenal eight days ago. Obviously, without the sadistic ruthlessness in front of goal, partly due to Liverpool's defending, partly due to Arsenal's weaknesses up front. But after getting a goal of their own, a slightly fortunate rebound falling to Oxlade-Chamberlain after Liverpool failed to clear a free kick, they were able to sit deeper, absorb and stifle Liverpool's attack, and attempt to expose the away side on the break.

Liverpool failed to test Fabianski between the 5th and 43rd minutes, smothered by Arsenal after entering Arsenal's half, pressed well by Arsenal's front four players. Liverpool desperately missed its own high pressing, a big feature of the last meeting, and yes, Liverpool desperately missed Jordan Henderson. And yes, Howard Webb was his very own sideshow in the first half, handing out yellows with little rhyme or reason, and only giving yellow for what was a red card-worthy tackle by Monreal. But England's Best Referee™ wasn't the reason Liverpool lost. At least not until the second half.

And the second half started in almost the exact same manner. Suarez denied by a wonderful Fabianski save, then Arsenal immediately storm down the field, a lightning attack through Oxlade-Chambelain's speed, Podolski hammering in the winger's cutback.

Instead of cementing the result, Arsenal's second only catalyzed Liverpool, exacerbated by bringing on Henderson for Cissokho, shifting Flanagan to left-back and Sterling to right-back. But Liverpool had gotten themselves back into the game before the substitution. Suarez fired a blistering warning shot just over Fabianski's goal, then won a deserved penalty when tripped by Podolski in the box. I know, right? Howard Webb, Liverpool penalty. We should have known to enjoy it while it lasted.

Gerrard stepped up, sending Fabianski the wrong way. It was probably Fabianski's only mistake of the game, as three minutes later, Arsenal's keeper saved the match. Sturridge put through by Coutinho's delicious throughball, finally on his preferred left foot, but somehow denied by the Pole's sprawling right leg.

At that point, it looked a matter of time before Liverpool leveled matters. And they should have had the chance in the 65th minute when Suarez was blatantly felled by Oxlade-Chamberlain after seeing his free kick cannon off the wall. You could see Webb's thought process from a mile away. "Shit, I've just given him a penalty. I can't give him another one just three minutes later. I'll just pretend it didn't happen. You're the best, Howard."

Sigh. To be fair, Webb was atrocious for both sides. He should have sent Gerrard off for a second yellow in the 75th. I'm sure he thought that it all worked out brilliantly. I have banged this drum time and time again, and I detest devoting this much space in a match review to the referee, but it's unavoidable. Referees need to call the incident, not the situation. Liverpool should have had a second penalty. Liverpool should have spent the last 15 minutes down to 10 men, with Gerrard suspended for next weekend's match against Swansea. Howard Webb is almost always the worst offender in this regard. And somehow he's considered the country's best referee. The mind boggles.

After the non-penalty, the game became stretched, with chances increasingly fewer and farther between. Liverpool had three shots on target, two from Suarez, one from Coutinho, but all three were straight at Fabianski. Cazorla, on as a substitute, could have settled the match, but airmailed his shot from the top of the box. Liverpool's best opportunity, unsurprisingly, came from an 86th minute set play, but Agger headed Gerrard's free kick narrowly wide. And yes, Webb could have given yet another penalty as Fabianski punched Agger straight in the head after the Dane got to the ball first. He didn't even contemplate doing so, with the final seven minutes all sound and fury signifying nothing until Webb's whistle finally blew.

Surprisingly enough, most of today's complaints (besides those about the referee, obviously) are about Liverpool's attack. It had to happen sometime; just 'one of those days' for both Sturridge and Suarez. It hasn't happened often. Liverpool's midfield was decent in the first half, and very good in the second half after Henderson came on. Gerrard, along with Sterling, was one of Liverpool's best players: his movement and positioning good, his range of passing in open play spectacular. And it was more than encouraging to see Sterling just as impressive at right-back as he's been as a wide attacker. Liverpool's defense was unlucky on the first goal, and ripped asunder by an excellent counter on the second. No defense was stopping that goal. Agger's return clearly improved the side despite two goals conceded, with everyone seemingly far calmer at the back. Yes, Arsenal's starting XI was weaker, but there was a vast difference between today's performance and Liverpool's last visit to the Emirates.

Liverpool can feel aggrieved, and take heart from how they played in the second half. Arsenal can have the extra match, hopefully matches. I wouldn't trade today for last Saturday in a million years.

On another day, on most days, Sturridge finishes one, if not more, of his three excellent chances. On another day, that rebound doesn't fall straight to Oxlade-Chamberlain, giving Arsenal a lucky lead they'd never relent. On another day, this match has another referee. So be it.

All focus returns to the league. Where it should be. Liverpool have 12 matches to seal the needed fourth place finish, if not improving on it.

Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United

Reina
Kelly Skrtel Agger Aurelio
Meireles Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres

Goals:
Giggs 2' (pen)

So much for a storybook return.

1st minute, Webb gives a penalty for Berbatov's clear dive. 32nd minute, Webb shows Gerrard a straight red for a tackle similar to one Rafael went unpunished for. Welcome to the FA Cup at Old Trafford. Somehow, it's still Roy Hodgson's fault.

In all seriousness, aside from the result, I'm actually happy. Okay, happy may not be the right word – it's a loss to the bloody Mancs after all – but we've had very few signs of positivity for a long time. The team selection, formation, style of play, and player desire were all a vast improvement on the dross we've been treated to all season long. Dalglish's substitutions were ambitious, and he wasn't afraid for slay sacred cows. Were it not for an amazingly soft – and incorrect – penalty after less than 60 seconds, Liverpool would have gotten a draw despite being down to 10 men for an hour.

Liverpool's higher back line let Berbatov in right away, but Agger made no contact and the linesman didn't flag. Howard Webb, in a far inferior position, saw things differently, immediately pointing to the spot. Webb gave Liverpool a penalty in the league meeting at Old Trafford earlier in the season. Alex Ferguson obviously wasn't going to allow him such free reign in this match, and Giggs made no mistake from the spot with a well-taken effort.

But Liverpool heads didn't drop. Unlike in every single away match we've seen this season, they didn't sit back. Liverpool pressed high, tried to play the ball out of defense, out-numbered United in midfield because of the Gerrard-Lucas-Meireles axis, and had far more possession. Liverpool were still disjointed in the final third as Torres continued to under-perform, but positives were readily evident.

The penalty was an unfair body blow. But the red card made certain Liverpool wouldn't get back into the game. And, as per usual, it's a contentious decision. Any time you go into a tackle with two feet, you're asking for trouble. But it's hard to stomach when we saw similar from Rafael earlier in the match, Gerrard got the ball, and Carrick rolled around as if he were shot. It certainly wasn't worse than De Jong's kung fu challenge on Alonso, but the World Cup final wasn't at Old Trafford.

And even with 10 men, Liverpool limited United chances. It took until the 38th minute for the Mancs to create a shot from open play – Nani's tame effort easily saved by Reina. But Evans roaming free in the box in first half injury time, heading a corner off the post, set the tone for the second half as Liverpool's 10 men tired.

Chicharito headed Fletcher's cross over in the 48th. Berbatov volleyed over after Reina could only palm a cross under pressure from the Mexican striker in the 56th. Kuszczak was called into action on an Aurelio free kick angled towards the top corner against the run of play in the 65th, but soon after, Reina had to make five saves in quick succession, somehow impossibly keeping the scoreline at 0-1.

Also heartening were Dalglish's substitutions. Babel and Shelvey replaced Maxi and the underwhelming Meireles with 30 minutes to play; that Shelvey saw action seems to confirm the high regard Kenny supposedly holds Jonjo in. And in the 77th, Ngog replaced the ineffective and jaded Torres, who – in his defense – was always going to struggle with a man disadvantage. The changes not only demonstrated an attacking intent, but a willingness to shake things up. Hodgson lived in perpetual fear of removing Torres. Dalglish gave no thought to it.

Babel had a couple of chances, forcing a save from Kuszczak from the top of the box and heading wide at the near post, but United were comfortable with Liverpool's dead legs and an extra man (or two, if we're still counting Webb). It's always painful to lose to United, but that Liverpool finally looks like a team is a bigger positive than going out of the FA Cup to that lot.

4-2-3-1 – although as much a 4-1-4-1 with Lucas often deeper than Gerrard and Meireles for those 32 minutes – was the correct formation. Kelly was man of the match, silencing Giggs and Evra for long stretches. Liverpool's defense was vastly improved, again, with Agger and Aurelio involved. Reina's string of saves was absolutely mind-blowing. Kuyt was more effective than in recent poor performances, although this type of match suits him down to the ground. But most important was the self-belief, something desperately missing for months, even after unfairly going behind and then going down to 10 men.

Gerrard's expected three-match absence – although there's a slight chance the suspension will be overturned (Liverpool will appeal) – means that Cole will probably replace him in a straight swap. It's not the end of the world in that department. And if Liverpool continue in this vein, we won't be worrying about being in the bottom half of the table for much longer.

I cannot wait for Blackpool on Wednesday. And I could not be happier that feeling's finally present after dreading matches for the last six months.

Liverpool 3-0 Manchester United

Goals:
Gerrard 34' (pen) 47' (pen)
Suarez 84'

The funny thing (and after a comfortable 3-0 win, we can call it "funny") is that Liverpool weren't even anywhere near their best. Liverpool's midfield – again in a diamond formation, with Sterling starting in place of Coutinho – was superlative, but both Sturridge and Suarez were slightly off-form, with Liverpool a bit disjointed in the final third, while both of Liverpool's fullbacks frightened at times. And yet they still cruised to a 3-0 win at Old Trafford, a venue where they've won twice in the last 10 league meetings.

United registered a solitary shot on target, one moment of threat amidst 90 minutes of utter mediocrity. Liverpool won three penalties, and could have had three more. United had a man sent off, and probably should have seen two dismissed. This was humiliation, as humiliating as Liverpool's last Old Trafford victory in March to further revitalize a title race, but humiliating in a different way.

It goes without saying after 29 matches, but this isn't anywhere close to the Manchester United we've known and hated for innumerable years. Liverpool played like the home side for 90 minutes, but needed 34 to take the lead, having spurned chances from Sturridge (twice) and Allen prior to breaking the deadlock.

Which deservedly happened on Liverpool's best build-up to that point, with Sterling playmaking from the top of the diamond and Liverpool cutting through United's midfield before spreading the ball out wide to Sturridge. An excellent cross, sumptuous control from Suarez's knitted boots, and an egregiously stupid handball from Rafael – which should have been his second booking in 90 seconds after scything down Gerrard to start Liverpool's possession. But Clattenburg pulled a Howard Webb, splitting the baby, giving the penalty but refusing the second yellow mandated by the rules of the game. To be fair, Howard Webb probably wouldn't have even given the penalty. Gerrard at the spot, De Gea diving the wrong way, 1-0.

As has become common, Liverpool's ultimate goal for the final 10 minutes of the half was to manage the game. Don't do anything stupid, get into the locker room with the lead, then kill the game in the second half. Which they just about managed, requiring a marvelous save from Mignolet followed by a crucial block from Skrtel to twice deny Rooney in the 44th.

Other Manchester United sides would have regrouped during the interval. You'd expect any competent side to do so. But not David Moyes' Manchester United. Within two minutes of the restart, Liverpool had the second. They started the second half like they were the side behind. They immediately stormed down to the opponent's defensive third. And they immediately won a second penalty: Phil Jones clumsily (and most likely making a stupid face while doing so) barging over Joe Allen after Henderson's chipped ball into the box. Gerrard at the spot, De Gea diving the right way but no matter, 2-0.

Liverpool's first penalty was the first given to an opponent at Old Trafford since December 2011. The second penalty was the first time two have been given to a United opponent at Old Trafford in Premier League history.

From there, kill the game. Smother it with a pillow rather than kill it with fire. Coutinho replaced Sterling, keeping the same formation but with fresh legs in the crucial middle of the pitch. There were a couple of United half-chances, but determined Liverpool blocked shots rather than Mignolet saves, and a couple of wayward shots. Liverpool looked, but weren't quite able, to counter when given the chance, the best opportunity from a Gerrard shot from distance deflected just wide. Clattenburg also had yet another opportunity to send off Rafael for a bookable offense, as the Brazilian did everything but wear a "PLEASE SEND ME OFF, MARK" sign around his neck.

And then one of those few counters came to fruition. Fortunately so. Sturridge released into space, one-on-one with Vidic, the Serbian diving into the tackle but not making contact with either Sturridge or the ball, but Sturridge plummeting like a sack of bricks. I just feel so terrible for United's bad luck. Unlike Rafael, it's acceptable to give Vidic a second yellow, the fourth time he's been sent off against Liverpool, and the best possible way to mark his last United match against Liverpool. Gerrard at the spot, De Gea diving the wrong way, but the ball cannoning off the foot of the post rather than nestling in the back of the net. Drat. A penalty hat-trick would have been one hell of a memory, but it's not as if it mattered to the final result, especially with United down to 10 men.

And Liverpool put the man advantage to full use. Sturridge could have won two more penalties, both better shouts than the one he got, but Clattenburg couldn't and wouldn't give a fourth spot kick. De Gea made a miraculous save on Suarez, but was then beaten from the same position a minute later by the same player: Sturridge's throughball, Evra playing Suarez onside, an unstoppable close range blast for Liverpool's third. To see out the match, both Coutinho and Henderson spurned chances for The Dossena Fourth™.

That's consecutive 3-0 victories away from Anfield, and consecutive clean sheets away from Anfield.

I can't write enough plaudits for Liverpool's midfield. Both Gerrard and Allen were outstanding – either could be man of the match; I honestly can't decide. Allen's movement was outstanding, both with the ball and when defending and pressing without it. Gerrard kept Rooney quiet for long stretches and contributed the two goals. Henderson Honey-Badgered up, down, and across the pitch, while Sterling reveled in the unfamiliar role as playmaker. That's three positions – winger, right back, and #10 – where he's impressed this season. Again, I'll remind that he's just 19 years old.

But just as much credit (or blame, depending on your persuasion) goes to just how terrible United were. Medieval tactics compared to Liverpool's, awkward and dispassionate performances from United's stars, a rickety defense (both aging and rash) exposed, Fellaini and Carrick completely losing the midfield battle.

The one pre-match worry, especially if Liverpool persisted with the midfield diamond, was United's comparative strength and depth attacking down the flanks. But United couldn't even cross adequately – the one and often only thing they've done competently this season. Attempting 20, completing five, leading to three chances. Two of those chances came from corners, and none felt truly threatening. Allen and Henderson spread wide to support their fullbacks without fail, and both did so impressively, while Johnson and Flanagan did enough: the former still finding his feet after an extended injury, the latter restricted by an early yellow card which he dealt with admirably.

Oh how the mighty have fallen. And with nine games left, Liverpool are staring a chance at greatness straight in the face.

Liverpool at Manchester United 01.09.11

8:30am ET, live in the US on FSC

Last four head-to-head:
2-3 United (a) 09.19.10
1-2 United (a) 03.21.10
2-0 Liverpool (h) 10.25.09
4-1 Liverpool (a) 03.14.09

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-3 Blackburn (a); 2-1 Bolton (h); 0-1 Wolves (h)
United: 2-1 Stoke (h); 2-1 West Brom (a); 1-1 Brum (a)

Goalscorers (all competitions):
Liverpool: Gerrard, Ngog 8; Torres 6; Kuyt 4; Maxi 3; Babel, Cole, Jovanovic, Kyrgiakos 2; Johnson, Lucas, Skrtel 1
United: Berbatov 15; Chicharito 9; Nani 7; Park 6; Fletcher, Owen, Rooney, Vidic 3; Bebe 2; Anderson, Evra, Gibson, Giggs, Macheda, Obertan, Scholes, Smalling, Valencia 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Howard Webb has to be in charge of any Liverpool/United match. It's in the Premier League rules. Look it up.

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Aurelio
Kuyt Meireles Lucas Maxi
Gerrard
Torres

The unbeaten Mancs (yes, I know they lost in the League Cup to Jonathan Spector, but bear with me) against a Liverpool side that can't win away. A lame duck manager and morale plummeting through the floor. The narrative's already written. Either United will hammer the last nail in the coffin or Liverpool will complete a miracle on grass in beating in the Evil Empire. And either way, I've never been less anxious over a match between these two sides.

Liverpool will name a stronger team than against Blackburn even though the FA Cup means far less than Liverpool's terrible league position. Ideally, it will have Gerrard behind Torres with Lucas and Meireles in central midfield, but I'm not holding my breath.

Agger and Aurelio should both return, having been rested for Wednesday's match and having played far better than the counterparts who took their places against Blackburn. Cole might play instead of Maxi – Kuyt will reclaim a starting spot as well – but I hope that won't be the case.

Meanwhile, United also rested players in their last league match, with Ferguson ready to return Rooney, Ferdinand, and van der Sar to the starting lineup. Berbatov, who tallied a hat-trick when these sides met in September, is in excellent form. United also primarily uses 4-4-2 this season, but with players such as Nani and the 87-year-old Giggs, has the ability to get outside Liverpool's narrow back-line to excellent effect, as in the 2-3 league loss at Old Trafford. At least Poulsen and Konchesky aren't likely to start in this meeting.

And after the match, no matter the result, Slur Alex will tell us that Roy's had an impossible job made harder by the shit squad left by the nasty Spaniard and should be given until the end of season.

Happy days.

End scene. Cue curtain.

Liverpool v Swansea 02.17.13

10am ET, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus

Last four head-to-head:
0-0 (a) 11.25.12
1-3 Swansea (h; League Cup) 10.31.12
0-1 Swansea (a) 05.13.12
0-0 (h) 11.05.11

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-2 Zenit (a); 0-2 West Brom (h); 2-2 City (a)
Swansea: 4-1 QPR (h); 0-1 West Ham (a); 0-0 Sunderland (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 17; Gerrard 6; Sturridge 3; Agger, Henderson, Skrtel, Sterling 2; Cole, Downing, Enrique, Johnson, Şahin 1
Swansea: Michu 15; de Guzman, Routledge 5; Dyer, Graham, Hernandez 3; Rangel 2; Davies, Sinclair 1

Referee: Howard Webb

I'm sure it's just coincidence, but the last time Liverpool won a league match with Howard Webb as referee was the 5-0 win against Birmingham in April 2011. He's been in charge of two draws and five losses since.

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Gerrard Lucas
Downing Henderson Borini
Sturridge

Four matches in 11 days puts an incredible strain on the squad, and fitness concerns will dominate the starting XI selection much more than form or tactics.

Lucas, Sturridge, Agger – three who didn't start against Zenit – will almost assuredly come back into the team, but who will depart? Rodgers has already promised a strong side on Thursday to try to overhaul the two-goal deficit, and he might consider that a more important match given how far behind fourth Liverpool currently find themselves.

It borders on scandalous, but I'd expect at least one of Gerrard and Suarez to be left on the bench, possibly both. Yes, Liverpool's two nuclei, Liverpool's top two scorers in the league. How the medical/fitness staff has managed Gerrard has been one of this season's biggest successes, but (unsurprisingly) I remain worried. He hasn't missed a minute of league action so far this season through 26 matches; the most league matches he's started in a single season was 35 in 2006-07 (also making one substitute appearance) and he only started 12 last season and 20 in 2010-11. I think he's slightly more likely to feature than Suarez is, but wouldn't be surprised were he replaced by Allen. It'd be a chance to further validate my "always play players against their former club" theory.

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez has struggled against Swansea in every match he's played against them. His lone goal came as a substitute in the Capital One Cup – a free header from a set play – but he's been almost wholly nullified in the three league meetings. Swansea are one of just three sides that Suarez has faced at least twice in the league but failed to score against (the others are Tottenham and West Brom). In addition, Suarez has failed to create a chance in nine of his 66 Premier League starts; three of those nine were also against Swansea. He's looked jaded since playing on the left against Arsenal, hitting the target with just two of the 18 shots he took against City, West Brom, and Zenit. Without a goal for three consecutive matches ties his second-longest drought of the season; the only longer stretch was when he was went a month without scoring between wins over Wigan and Fulham. Tomorrow could well be an excellent opportunity to limit his action and use him as a game-changing weapon off the bench.

There are also concerns about Henderson and Downing, who've started multiple consecutive matches (Downing's actually played more minutes than anyone else over the last two months), as well as Carragher's ability to start all four of these matches during this stretch.

In an ideal world, Suarez would play as the #10 behind Sturridge, Gerrard would be paired with Lucas in midfield, Henderson would reclaim his left-sided berth, and Carragher would continue to partner Agger. That's the system that's worked the best recently. I'm pretty sure we don't live in an ideal world. But at the same time, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see both Gerrard and Suarez in the XI, no matter the potential costs. Rodgers et al have a lot better idea of both's fitness and capabilities than the rest of us.

Swansea, on the other hand, who have had eight days to prepare, will start what's nearly their strongest XI. Britton should both be over a recent knock, but Chico will miss out through an ankle injury, while Neil Taylor remains a long-term casualty (although Ben Davies has done excellently in his absence).

Laudrup's side will play 4-2-3-1, as usual, with the same lineup debates he's had all season. Which three from Ki, Britton, Agustien, and de Guzman will play in midfield; which two from Routledge, Dyer, and Pablo will play on the flanks? With Danny Graham sold to Sunderland in January, Michu's almost certain to play as the central striker rather than an attacking midfielder, although Shechter did start in the reverse fixture (and only lasted 45 minutes). Chico will be replaced by either Garry Monk or Kyle Bartley, most likely the latter, while Vorm, Rangel, Williams, and Davies are certain starters in defense.

Liverpool remain winless against Swansea since the Welsh side were promoted to the Premier League, losing on the last day at the Liberty Stadium last season and in the league cup on Halloween, held 0-0 at Anfield last season and in the reverse fixture three months ago. Suarez's league cup consolation remains the only goal scored in the four matches they've played since November 2011.

And at the same time, Liverpool have won just one of nine league fixtures following a Europa League match this season, the 3-2 win at West Ham after a 1-0 win at Udinese in early December.

The omens aren't good; there are few positives to be divined from the entrails. But we're still waiting for a Liverpool response to recent setbacks. Back-to-back losses against West Brom and Zenit were the first time Liverpool have lost back-to-back matches this season. And, frighteningly, this is just about the same point where Liverpool's league form took a nose dive last season, with fourth place finally off the table after successive losses to United, Arsenal and Sunderland. No matter who starts tomorrow, Liverpool will need to be better than they've been during the first half of these difficult two weeks.

Liverpool at Chelsea 10.26.08

9:30am, live in the US on Setanta

This is the week where daylight saving time screws up the five-hour time difference between the East Coast and the U.K. We get our extra hour of sleep after Saturday, November 1.

Last 4 head-to-head:
2-3 Chelsea (a; CL) 04.30.08
1-1 (h; CL) 04.22.08
0-0 (a) 02.10.08
0-2 Chelsea (a; League Cup) 12.19.07

Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 1-1 Atletico (a); 3-2 Wigan (h); 3-2 City (a)
Chelsea: 1-0 Roma (h); 5-0 Boro (a); 2-0 Villa (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 5; Kuyt 3; Babel, Carragher, Gerrard, Riera 1
Chelsea: Anelka 4; Kalou, Lampard 3; Belletti, J Cole, Deco 2; Boswinga, Carvalho, Malouda 1

Referee: Howard Webb

In case the appointment of Howard Webb – who’s usually one of the better officials, and was in charge of the win over United – seems too fortunate for Liverpool, don’t worry. Rob Styles is the fourth official. Yeah, that’s his punishment for blowing yet another penalty call. I can’t believe they’re letting him have anything to do with a Liverpool/Chelsea contest.

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Agger Dossena
Mascherano Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Keane

Guessing the 4-2-3-1 again, because this seems a game tailor-made for it (especially with Torres absent), but Liverpool did end up playing just as much 4-4-1-1 on Wednesday. Of course, one of the benefits of the 4-2-3-1 is its adaptability.

There are still concerns over Keane, but Gerrard, and Alonso have been declared fit after all three were substituted on Wednesday. I’d still wager that the Irishman’s likely to lead the line.

I would imagine we’ll see Degen (or maybe, hopefully, Darby) sooner than later, because Arbeloa’s played every match except Crewe (and has the yellow cards to show it). He's looked tired on more than one occasion, and is committing silly fouls because of it. But I can’t see Benitez blooding Degen or Darby in a match like this unless he’s forced to.

There’s still a worry over the defensive lapses, but I can’t see Hyypia starting in place of Agger either. The way that Liverpool will get rid of these mistakes is by keeping Carra and Agger together so the Dane is given time to get match-fit and the two are allowed to re-establish their partnership from 06-07.

I can't understate how this is an absolutely massive game. Yes, yes, it’s still early, but these are the two teams that have started the campaign the brightest, and have the same number of points atop the league. Chelsea still has an unbeaten home league record stretching back to 2004.

Benitez is right to say that Liverpool will need a flawless 90 minutes to beat the league leaders. Even with a fair few injuries, Chelsea dispatched Boro with ease at the Riverside. Drogba, Essien, Ballack, Joe Cole will all likely miss out, while Ashley Cole should return, but it’s not as if these absences have harmed Chelsea’s campaign so far.

But Liverpool's proven that you can’t overlook them this season, and no deficit seems like it can’t be overturned. But, and I mean this as no slight, going a goal or two down to Chelsea is a fair bit different that against Wigan.

Let’s see those perfect 90 minutes Rafa’s hoping for.

Liverpool v Stoke 01.14.12

10am ET, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus

Last four head-to-head:
2-1 Liverpool (a; Carling Cup) 10.26.11
0-1 Stoke (a) 09.10.11
2-0 Liverpool (h) 02.02.11
0-2 Stoke (a) 11.13.10

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 City (a); 5-1 Oldham (h); 0-3 City (a)
Stoke: 3-1 Gillingham (a); 2-1 Blackburn (a); 2-2 Wigan (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 5; Bellamy 4; Adam, Carroll, Gerrard, Maxi, Skrtel 2; Henderson, Johnson 1
Stoke: Crouch 6; Walters 5; Delap, Ethrington 2; Huth, Jerome, Jones, Shawcross, Shotton, Whelan 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Strangely enough, this will be the first time Liverpool have had Webb this season. On the one-year anniversary of Babel-Webb Twittergate, no less.

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Henderson Adam
Downing Shelvey Maxi
Carroll

Once again, midfield is Liverpool's biggest concern. With Spearing likely to miss out thanks to a hamstring injury, will Liverpool also risk Gerrard so soon after playing 90 minutes twice in the last week?

Of course, both Henderson and Adam are probably fatigued after City as well, which makes Shelvey's participation even more likely. Dalglish has dropped few hints, as is Dalglish's wont, so it's a guessing game as to who's in the best condition to play on Saturday.

Maybe, just maybe, we'll see three center-backs, as in the late stages of Wednesday's match and in this fixture last season. Agger played at left back in October's Carling Cup meeting to give Liverpool more height when defending Stoke's set plays; three at the back – whether it's Kelly-Skrtel-Agger or Skrtel-Carragher-Agger – would achieve the same purpose in addition to supplementing Liverpool's defense with both Spearing and Lucas injured. Aurelio, who I believe is still fit but that could change in the next minute, played midfield against this lot last season, but that seems the remotest of remote possibilities given Fabio's infrequent participation this season.

Playing three at the back could also ease Liverpool's worries on the flanks, with Johnson and Enrique more advanced. Bellamy evokes the same concerns as Gerrard after featuring against Oldham and City. At the same time, both Kuyt and Downing have struggled recently. If not three at the back, it seems as if the flanks will be Maxi and one other, even if Maxi rarely starts without Suarez. And if Bellamy's fit, he seemingly has to be preferred. Incidentally, Suarez has scored Liverpool's last three goals against Stoke: both in the Carling Cup and the second at Anfield 11 months ago. Step forward, Andy Carroll. Please.

Stoke could be missing three defenders, as Woodgate, Wilson, and Shotton are carrying knocks. But Stoke's attack will be all too familiar. Walters scored Stoke's penalty winner in the reverse fixture in September and Peter Crouch knows Anfield (and Liverpool's defenders) exceptionally well. Agger and Carragher did well against the Gangly Handful at the Britannia, but Stoke will be even more reliant on Crouch's hold-up ability with Liverpool likely to see even more of the ball. And then there are the usual Pennant and Etherington crosses and Delap long throws. Perpetually fun times.

Liverpool's Anfield record against sides content to defend remains abhorrent; the 3-1 win at Newcastle after Gerrard came on did little to reassure other than in reasserting Gerrard's talismanic qualities. If the captain's rested, protected, Liverpool will be under pressure to carve through an undoubtedly determined Stoke with the knowledge of past failures looming large in the minds.

Liverpool 1-1 Everton

Goals:
Gerrard 65'
Jagielka 90+2'

If you don't laugh, you're gonna cry and maybe explode and maybe go on a murderous rampage, so I recommend laughing.

It's the third game this season – and there have only been eight matches so far this season – where Liverpool have conceded in injury time. One in each competition that Liverpool's currently involved in. All three of them at Anfield.

The Ludogorets breakaway after Liverpool stupidly lost possession in the attacking third when defending a 1-0 lead. A Middlesbrough penalty in extra time when Sterling back-passed to a Boro attacker when defending a 2-1 lead and Toure unnecessarily scythed down the attacker. And now, the most unbelievable. The best shot of Phil Jagielka's life after Lovren headed away an Everton cross, with Liverpool looking secure despite 15 minutes of defensive shelling. Liverpool were actually doing what they should in that situation, and even doing it marginally well, and that happens. Sports are the worst.

And, of course, that it happens against Everton, at Anfield, makes it approximately 10000% worse. Wonderful.

Otherwise, same old Liverpool but with what looked to be the return of the set play saving grace. Well, not quite same old Liverpool, as both the defense and midfield were the best they've been since beating Tottenham, maybe all season. But same old Liverpool in attack without Daniel Sturridge.

It's probably a very different match if Barry concedes a penalty (and gets a second yellow) for handball in the 9th minute, or a deserved second yellow for a foul less than a minute later. But Martin Atkinson Doesn't Want To Ruin The Game™, in the vein of great English referees such as Howard Webb, and wrongly ignores both. Liverpool will be right to complain about those moments.

Nonetheless, Liverpool were dominant in that first half and still better than Everton in the second – something we haven't been able to say often this season – and really should have been able to take advantage, regardless of the referee.

Lallana and Henderson's work rate made a massive difference to the midfield, and Liverpool's defense looked much more secure, despite the same personnel, until that preposterous equalizer, although they were aided by Martinez's conservative tactics, clearly remembering what happened the last time Everton came to Anfield.

It's still the attack that's problematic, with Mario Balotelli the most problematic. Aside from an excellent start, Liverpool rarely looked like scoring despite taking 24 shots. 10 of those came from Balotelli: two on target, three off-target, and five blocked. Eight of 10 from outside the box. It's exactly as advertised – he shoots from everywhere with no conscience – and made worse because Liverpool didn't have many other options. But it's not working at the moment, and Liverpool desperately misses Daniel Sturridge, who'll help ease some of Balotelli's burden.

Last season, when the attack struggled, set plays saved the day. And that looked to be the case today, when Gerrard fired past Howard from 25 yards after Balotelli was fouled, for Liverpool's first set play goal of the season. Finally.

The struggles in attack meant that Liverpool were always going to defensively shell after going ahead, only looking for a second when Everton gave them opportunities on the break. And the only time Everton truly threatened before injury time was immediately after the goal, a deep cross from Besic narrowly missing Lukaku's head. And Liverpool almost replied straight away: a counter-attack ending with Sterling's cross finding Balotelli six yards from goal but only able to hit the crossbar, possibly aided by the slightest of touches from Howard.

Liverpool had few opportunities on the break, but stifled Everton, long shots from Eto'o and McGeady that weren't even close Everton's only chances. Liverpool isolated attackers, Liverpool cleared free kicks, corners, and crosses. Until injury time, until only half clearing a cross, until that moment from Jagielka that he'll never be able to replicate.

To be fair, if Liverpool continue to play like that, they'll score more than a lone goal in most games and win most of those games. Balotelli's shooting was awful but he still worked hard, tracked back and held the ball up well. Lallana was outstanding, although – like Sterling – clearly started to tire and became less influential after his midweek exertions. Henderson did Henderson things in midfield, both linking with attack and protecting Gerrard. Lovren and Skrtel finally looked a decent partnership. Sturridge will eventually return, Liverpool's all-new attackers will become more accustomed to one another.

Yes, it's not even October yet, but the season is quickly getting away from Liverpool. Seven points from six games is a horrific return, reminiscent of the early failures which ended up defining both 2009-10 and 2012-13. They're currently 11th, and will probably be nine points off the league leaders in a little more than an hour. Already. Liverpool did mostly right and good things and only dropped two points because of a freak occurrence, even if unfairly, even if harshly, but that's made much worse because of what's come before.

This was always possible when trying to adapt to a different system with a lot of new players, especially in attack, and without Liverpool's most important attacker because of an international break injury. It's now become reality. Things should and probably will get better, but that has to happen before the mountain's too high to climb.

Liverpool at Manchester United 03.21.10

9:30am, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus

Last 4 head-to-head:
2-0 Liverpool (h) 10.25.09
4-1 Liverpool (a) 03.14.09
2-1 Liverpool (h) 09.13.08
0-3 United (a) 03.23.08

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-0 Lille (h); 4-1 Pompey (h); 0-1 Lille (a)
United: 3-0 Fulham (h); 4-0 Milan (h); 1-0 Wolves (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 15; Kuyt 9; Gerrard 6; Benayoun 5; Ngog 4; Babel 3; Johnson 2; Aquilani, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel 1
United: Rooney 25; Berbatov 10; Valencia 5; Fletcher, Owen 3; Carrick, Giggs, Scholes 2; Anderson, Diouf, Gibson, Nani, O’Shea, Park, Rafael, Vidic 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Webb's been a bad luck charm against the Arse of late, but he was in charge of the 2-1 victory in September ‘08 when Liverpool finally beat United in the league.

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Insua
Lucas Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres

Get excited seeing Liverpool pour forward recently? Enjoy the newfound attacking flair that’s brought seven goals in two games? Too bad.

This is Liverpool at Old Trafford against the Mancs. It’s not going to be aesthetically pleasing. It’s probably not going to be fun to watch. And it’s probably not going to be good for any of our nerves.

It’ll be the tried-and-true 4-2-3-1, holding and countering. Even if Aquilani’s recovered from his virus, I expect to see Lucas and Mascherano, and I expect Lucas to sit deeper, as he did in the second half on Thursday. But those box-to-box runs will be necessary if and when Liverpool get an opportunity. Still, if any magic’s created, chances are it’s coming from Torres and Gerrard, who’ve thankfully picked up steam this month. I hope Vidic has a supply of diapers ready for the pants-shitting terror that is Fernando Torres.

I’ve more of a question over who’ll start on the flanks, which is the only real area I’ve questions over. The only player we can safely rule out is Riera; Kuyt, Babel, Maxi, and Benayoun all have decent arguments. Kuyt’s rarely if ever left out for big games. Maxi looked excellent against Portsmouth, albeit on the right. Babel’s started the last three matches and looked a terror in the last two. And Benayoun's creativity and guile have cut open a fair few teams. But I think Kuyt and Maxi will get the nod, although I write that with no great sense of security.

United have also scored seven in their last two matches, housing Milan and Fulham at home. Now's probably a bad time to mention how bad Liverpool's been on the road. And United have a week to prepare for this one, compared to three days for Liverpool. Rooney’s in superlative form, scoring for absolute fun and even mentioned as a challenge to Messi as the best player in the world. That might be a bit far fetched, as Messi’s demonstrated this week, but Rooney’s assuredly up there.

I’m also deathly afraid of Valencia or Nani (probably Valencia) up against Insua. The young fullback’s come under scrutiny of late, given a tough time in recent matches. It demonstrates the lack of depth in Liverpool’s squad more than says anything about Insua’s talents. He's still a kid, and I’m still surprised Dossena was sold with Aurelio’s injury history. But the backline’s set in stone, and whoever plays at left wing will have to track back (which Babel did to much, much better effect yesterday).

Somehow, Liverpool have won three straight over the Mancs, which is probably more motivation for Manchester than reassurance for Liverpool. The Mancs have a 1-4 loss a year ago to avenge, while Liverpool just has to keep winning for a shot at fourth, a result that could ultimately save the club.

No biggie.

Liverpool at Chelsea 11.11.12

11am ET, live in the US on FSC

Last four head-to-head:
4-1 Liverpool (h) 05.08.12
1-2 Chelsea (n; FA Cup) 05.05.12
2-0 Liverpool (a; League Cup) 11.29.11
2-1 Liverpool (a) 11.20.11

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 Anzhi (a); 1-1 Newcastle (h); 1-3 Swansea (h)
Chelsea: 3-2 Shakhtar (h); 1-1 Swansea (a); 5-4 United aet (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 7; Gerrard, Şahin, Skrtel, Sterling 1
Chelsea: Mata, Torres 4; Ivanovic, Lampard 3; Cahill, Hazard 2; Cole, Moses, Ramires, Sturridge 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Webb's been in charge of two previous LFC-Chelsea matches: Liverpool wins in October 2008 and November 2010. Somehow, amazingly, he's already given United a penalty in tomorrow's match.

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Gerrard Allen
Şahin
Suso Suarez Sterling

Johnson's almost assuredly back. Reina has a decent chance of playing as well. Otherwise, same old, same old. The Liverpool line-up guessing game has become a bore.

It'll be a big day for Liverpool's two holding midfielders and the full-backs. Almost all of the danger in Chelsea's side comes from the attacking line of three. Mata, Oscar, and Hazard are all world-class footballers, capable of turning a game by themselves, capable of constantly switching positions to baffle their markers. Mata and Hazard each have five assists, Mata is Chelsea's joint-top scorer in the league, and Oscar is their top scorer, by some distance, in the Champions League.

Gerrard and Allen will need to be diligent with their tracking and intelligent with their positioning to ensure that none of the three find space between the lines, getting into that dangerous "Zone 14," which Noel wrote about following Liverpool's win over Chelsea in February 2011. Much has changed in the last 21 months, but Chelsea's main threat still comes from that area of the pitch. In Liverpool's defense, they've rarely conceded from that position this season – Arsenal's first goal, on the counter-attack, springs to mind, but few others, at least in the league. Still, Allen will need to be ready for a full defensive shift, while Liverpool will need Gerrard to play with the discipline we saw against, say, Manchester City in last season's Carling Cup semi-final.

Where Liverpool do often concede is either on the counter-attack or from the flanks. Sometimes both: Newcastle and Sunderland's goals, as well as Norwich's second, down Liverpool's left; Arsenal's second, Everton's second, and Norwich's first down Liverpool's right, And this is where the full-backs come in. Hazard and Mata are clever enough to stay wide to stretch the play if needed, pulling defenders out of position. Both Johnson and Enrique have been susceptible to individual errors, especially when also tasked with going forward to support the attack, and Liverpool have allowed too many crosses – whether crosses to heads or crosses to feet – from wide positions. Johnson, if he even plays, is coming off an extended injury, likely to display at least a little rust. Enrique is Enrique, capable of both the sublime and senseless within a matter of seconds. And in Ramires and Oscar, Chelsea have the midfielder runners that get into the box which Liverpool have all too often lacked, to say nothing about the potential of Chelsea's misfiring number nine.

Oscar and Ramires (and Mikel, if he's gone forward) will also take turns pressing Allen quickly whenever he's on the ball, looking to disjoint Liverpool's system at the base. Gerrard will have to provide deep support rather than charging forward to support the attack, as will Şahin, while Liverpool's defenders will probably rack up even more passes than we've seen in some of the pass-heavy matches so far. Chelsea will undoubtedly remember how pressing the deepest midfielder is what led to them conceding the first goal at Stamford Bridge last season.

And then there's Liverpool's attack. Read: Luis Suarez. I sincerely hope John Terry still has nightmares of their league meeting last May, turned inside out time and time again, left wholly uncertain which way was up, with the center-back at least partially responsible for Liverpool's first three goals. Left out of Chelsea's last Champions League match, Terry hasn't played in almost three weeks, and hasn't played in the league since October 6. Either of his potential center-back partners – whether Luiz or Cahill – are, like Liverpool, capable of egregious, baffling errors. Both Sterling and Suso, more the former than the latter, have the ability to pin Chelsea's full-backs deep, and neither Hazard nor Mata are likely to track back to give much help. Sterling's speed will be especially valuable given Ivanovic's propensity for a rash tackle, already sent off twice this season.

Both sides will almost certainly play matching 4-2-3-1 formations, with Liverpool's slightly more a 4-3-3 because of Şahin playing deeper than Oscar and Suso and Sterling marginally higher up the pitch than Hazard and Mata, even though Liverpool's wingers are also more likely to necessarily track back to help in defense. Chelsea's XI is almost as easy to guess as Liverpool's; whether Cahill or Luiz partners the returning Terry seems the only question. Otherwise, Cech in goal; Ivanovic at right back; Bertrand at left-back; Mikel and Ramires in midfield; Hazard, Oscar, and Mata as the attacking line of three; and you-know-who up front. Lampard and Cole are Chelsea's only injury issues.

Don't let Roberto DiMatteo lull you into a false sense of security. No matter if Liverpool have won the last four league meetings and five out of the last six matches in all competitions, few Liverpool fans or players would consider Liverpool to be Chelsea's bogey side. Not this Liverpool, not this Chelsea, after what we've seen so far this season.

A "bogey side" also suggests the winning team is tangibly inferior to the losing team, yet finds a way to blindside the latter. Think, say, West Brom, Sunderland, Wigan, Fulham against Liverpool in the last couple of seasons, Birmingham and Bolton against Benitez's sides. Yes, Liverpool somehow seem to have a lot of bogey sides of late. Anyway. Liverpool were the deserved winners in all four of those previous league wins, dominating play in three of the four; only Dalglish's first match against the Blues saw Liverpool cagily nullifying Chelsea with the 3-5-1-1 used, scoring the lone goal on the counter-attack. Chelsea haven't been at the races in any of the four fixtures.

If this Liverpool beats that Chelsea tomorrow, then maybe we can start talking about bogey sides. Because on form, Liverpool will have to play far above their current station – will have to put together a full 90 minutes of the glimpses and flashes of promise that we've seen in other matches – to challenge this Chelsea.

Liverpool at Manchester United 09.19.10

Live in the US at 8:30am ET on Fox Soccer Plus

Last four head-to-head:
1-2 United (a) 03.21.10
2-0 Liverpool (h) 10.25.09
4-1 Liverpool (a) 03.14.09
2-1 Liverpool (h) 09.13.08

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 4-1 Steaua (h); 0-0 Birmingham (a); 1-0 West Brom (h)
United: 0-0 Rangers (h); 3-3 Everton (a); 3-0 West Ham (h)

Referee: Howard Webb

Webb played a blinder as United's 12th man in last March's meeting.

Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Konchesky
Maxi Lucas Poulsen Cole
Gerrard
Torres

No matter yesterday's result, I can't help but think the majority of players rested – the ones who featured in the 0-0 draw at Birmingham – will be back in the side.

In fact, the above lineup isn't even my best guess at the starting XI. If forced to wager money, I'd guess Jovanovic in for Lucas, shifting Gerrard back into midfield with Cole in the hole. The lineup I'd prefer is also different than the above, as I'd have Meireles in place of Poulsen and Agger over Skrtel, but I thought this might be a "happy" – and more likely – compromise.

Meireles did well yesterday, especially in the second half, where there was more movement in front of him, but I still question whether Hodgson will give him his league debut at Old Trafford. Despite the complaints (many valid) about the Lucas/Poulsen pairing against Birmingham, West Brom, and Trabzonspor, the duo represents 'safety first' and keeping a disciplined shape, and I have to believe those will be the qualities Hodgson values most on Sunday.

Moving Gerrard to central midfield with Cole back from suspension would mean one of two would be dropped. But even if it means a Lucas/Poulsen midfield, I'd rather we see Cole out left, in place of Jovanovic, instead of the hole. Cole could also feature on the right if Hodgson's concerned about Maxi playing three consecutive games.

Liverpool have struggled for goals in the league, scoring only twice in four games. I naturally worry about Gerrard and Torres isolated and frustrated if the team lines up as I'm guessing, but a clean sheet will undoubtedly be the priority. Plus, regardless of current form, we're well aware either of those players can create something from nothing, especially Liverpool's #9 when he's up against Nemanja Vidic, who's been sent off three times in the last four meetings. Rio Ferdinand most likely making his first league start of the season after this summer's knee injury could also lead to fun times.

As always with matches against United, despite Liverpool's record in the last four meetings, I'm pessimistic and terrified. I cannot stand these derbies. United's a wounded animal after its last two games: unable to penetrate Rangers' 10-man rearguard on Tuesday and dropping two points after conceding two injury time goals at Everton six days ago. I expect to see both Rooney and Berbatov up front, while Nani – with a far bigger role to play following Valencia's horrific injury – terrorized Konchesky in a substitute appearance when United faced Fulham earlier this season (before missing a crucial penalty). The Mancs will be licking their lips in anticipation of this one after Ferguson's inevitable patented hair-dryer treatment, and it'll be up to Liverpool to match them step for step.

Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

Goals:
van Persie 19'
Vidic 54'
Sturridge 57'

So, why can't Liverpool start playing until they're two goals down? That is an excellent question and I don't have an answer for you.

Once again, an inability to perform for a full 90 minutes, coupled with some questionable choices for the starting lineup dooms Liverpool's chances.

I truly don't have enough pejoratives in my vocabulary to adequately describe that first half. Let's just go with "completely awful" and hope that suffices. United really could have finished the half three or four goals ahead and it wouldn't have been harsh on Liverpool.

It wasn't wholly surprising to see Allen play as the most advanced midfielder. But it was a gamble, and ended as a massive, massive failure. I don't care how well Carrick played (and it was pretty well), this is not the chalkboard of an attacking midfielder, no matter the opponent. He was by no means Liverpool's only disappointment, but it was the most notable change from Liverpool's tactics in the wins against Fulham, Sunderland, and QPR, and it did not work in the slightest.

Nearly everyone was a passenger, and it's become depressing to see Liverpool stutter its way through halves, if not full matches, against the top sides. Even during Benitez's final season, the worst times under Dalglish, or, hell, a fair few matches under Hodgson, Liverpool "were up" for matches against the top sides. That has not been the case this season outside of the home draw against Manchester City and until the red card in the reverse fixture against United, comprehensively beaten by Arsenal, overwhelmed until down by two at Tottenham, and stuttering against Chelsea until the change in formation after two-thirds of the match.

That Liverpool mostly defended adequately, at least through Skrtel and Agger, also played a large part in United's narrow halftime advantage. But United's opener came because Liverpool allowed the home side far too much possession on the left flank, stringing something like 13 passes together before Wisdom drifted too far inside with Downing nowhere to be found, allowing Evra far too much space to cross for van Persie, who beat Agger to the low pass. To be fair, Wisdom regrouped well after that mistake, never hiding in either defense or the few times going forward; no matter how he's played this season, we need to remember he's still been developed as center-back. And is all of 19 years old.

Still, United had multiple chances to extend the lead. Van Persie split the center-backs to receive Young's throughball, blasting over when not realizing how much time he had. Agger made a crucial block on Welback after Allen's giveaway put Liverpool under pressure. Welbeck blasted wide from a narrow angle, Cleverley barely missed the target with a volley when Liverpool failed to fully clear Young's cross. And the best chance came just before halftime, when Rafael got behind Johnson on Carrick's long pass, but Reina saved van Persie's backheel, then was taken out by Kagawa when blocking the rebound. I have no idea how Pepe wasn't seriously injured, although he stayed down for a couple of minutes.

Credit where due, Rodgers' halftime change improved Liverpool, but once again, it came after choosing the wrong starting XI. And it was a surprising change, removing Lucas (on a yellow) for Sturridge, shifting to 4-4-2 for the first time during his tenure. Liverpool's midfield trio simply had not worked; Allen was uncertain in his role, but neither Lucas nor Gerrard played well either. Liverpool didn't press, didn't string together passes, and no one's movement complemented his teammates (when there actually was movement).

But before Liverpool could take advantage of the improvement, United got the needed second from a free kick. A free kick where Liverpool were lucky not to see Skrtel sent off for taking down Welbeck on the counter, with Webb evidently assuming that Reina could have come out to cover. Liverpool were actually lucky neither Skrtel nor Johnson were sent off –  the former for this foul, the latter for a later possible second yellow. So, surprisingly, we don't get to blame Howard Webb for today. This one's on Liverpool.

And that's despite being able to argue that Vidic was offside for United's second, but it's no surprise that the linesman missed it. It was an exceptionally narrow decision, with tons of bodies in the area on the set play, and we needed multiple reviews to even tell whether he or Evra had the final touch. More worrying was how open Evra was at the back post, with Johnson trying and failing to pick up three United players. Even more worrying was that Liverpool's performance to that point fully merited a two-goal deficit.

But then Liverpool remembered how to play football, obviously aided by the halftime substitution. That change, more than anything else, shifted the match in Liverpool's direction; had the team not fallen asleep on a set play, Liverpool could have come away with an undeserved draw. They nearly did so anyway.

It took less than three minutes after United's second to reduce arrears. I would hope Liverpool learned a few important lessons from the goal.

Most importantly, Liverpool are much better when midfielders and attackers press high up the pitch. Liverpool don't score if Gerrard doesn't tackle Carrick in the final third. Also, attackers making runs into the box, following shots from outside the area, helps immensely. De Gea saved Gerrard's effort from 19 yards out, but Sturridge was quickest off the mark, beating a static Rafael to the loose ball and hammering in with his left foot.

Reina soon had to make another crucial save to keep Liverpool in the match, smartly denying Kagawa's blast after Gerrard and Allen lost possession in their own half by getting in each other's way. But from there, it was almost all Liverpool. Ferguson's subs – Jones for Kagawa, Smalling for Vidic – were to protect a lead; Rodgers, in bringing on Borini for Sterling and Henderson for Allen, gave Liverpool even more impetus going forward, both in firepower and pressing from the front.

Comparing Liverpool's shots before and after United's second pretty much tells the entire story. But, as is all too common, Liverpool also paid for inaccurate shooting after already paying for the woeful first half. Sturridge had two chances sent into the side netting and an excellent one thwacked well over the crossbar, Borini narrowly missed the target on his best opportunity, and Suarez's tame header at De Gea near the death came with Borini in a much better position to take the shot. Still, that Liverpool were able to pen United back is promising, and Borini's return to fitness at the same time as Sturridge's acquisition bodes well going forward.

Honestly, I'm not surprised Liverpool got nothing from the game. It is an inconsistent, young, often-struggling side trying to rebuild against the near-runaway league leaders, on a ground where Liverpool's lost eight of the last nine matches. We all need a bit of realism, and realistically, this United should expect to beat this Liverpool on its home turf, as painful as that is to write.

But it's impossible not to be disappointed by how Liverpool got nothing from the match. Liverpool were thoroughly poor in all phases in the first half, one of the worst displays against United I can remember which didn't involved a Liverpool red card. That Liverpool improved in the second half – better in midfield, promising in attack – is a cause for optimism, but continued inconsistency in both performances from all involved as well as the manager's tactics and selection remains a cause for worry.

All told, it's probably best to remember that this is Rodgers' first season rebuilding from the ground up, and the growing pains are going to continue. Set your expectations accordingly.

Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal

Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Aurelio
Lucas Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres

Goals:
Kuyt 41’
Johnson (og) 50’
Arshavin 58’

I should have gone to the basketball game.

A great first half, but an awful second half. And Liverpool lose despite taking the lead thanks to said awful second half. Complete and utter impotence when driving for a late goal, the exact opposite of last season’s team. Sound familiar?

A furious, high-pressing start almost saw Liverpool score twice before 15 minutes were off the clock. That’s the tempo and ambition we needed from the team; a 12th minute break between Gerrard and Torres ended with a tame Torres shot too close to Almunia before Gerrard should have won a penalty a minute later, with Webb ignoring Gallas’ reckless challenge because, I can only assume, Gerrard had pushed the ball too far forward.

Mascherano was in the middle of all of it, and a 25th minute injury, for which Denilson saw yellow, brought the tempo down. Yet, as Arsenal grew into the game, Liverpool found a way to take the lead four minutes before halftime, from a set play, through the much-maligned Kuyt. Aurelio’s deep central free kick found Lucas, who headed too close to Almunia. But Kuyt was there to clean up, poking home while Lucas stayed inactive in an offside position, for his sixth goal of the season.

But Arsenal came out of the blocks far stronger in the second half, and it didn’t take Liverpool long to pay for it. As usual. It’s utterly amazing how many times Liverpool’s forgotten that it’s a game of two halves, and they've paid for it in every single one.

First, an unfortunate fluke own goal from Johnson after Nasri’s cross took two deflections and Glen’s errant touch wrong-footed Reina. Eight minutes later, that man Arshavin punished Liverpool at Anfield yet again with a goal from nothing. His control on a deep cross took him around Johnson and a typical hammered shot with no backlift beat Reina. Fuck me running.

Aquilani’s entrance, for Mascherano on 66 minutes, saw Liverpool shift into a 4-1-4-1 formation, but Arsenal still saw more possession when shutting up shop, and the home side once again found it hard to break through. Ngog, on for the subpar Benayoun in the 79th, changed it again, to 4-4-2, but with little difference to the play. I’m struggling to think of any second half shots on target. Benayoun was invisible, while Torres’ clearly needs match fitness (as does Gerrard). Those are Liverpool’s three main attacking options, and when they suck, so does Liverpool. Finally having the first choice backline still saw Liverpool ship two goals, with Johnson mainly at fault for both (although Arsenal’s second was classic Arshavin).

This is a bad, bad loss. There’s no overemphasizing that. It’s the worst in the league – worse than Fulham or Sunderland – and probably only comparable to the late loss against Lyon. I’m furious at Howard Webb for the non-penalty, and every 50-50 call went Arsenal’s way, but this is AGAIN of Liverpool’s own making.

This win puts Arsenal in third by two points with a game in hand, and opens the chasm between them and the chasing pack. This loss makes fourth place infinitely harder, and it was already a challenge only halfway through December. The next three games are against Wigan, Wolves, and Pompey, before a trip to Villa on December 29. Liverpool simply cannot take anything other than 12 points from those four, or the season really is well and truly over.

Liverpool at Arsenal 02.10.10

2:45pm, live in the US on Setanta

Last 4 head-to-head:
1-2 Arsenal (h) 12.13.09
1-2 Arsenal (a; CC) 10.28.09
4-4 (h) 04.21.09
1-1 (a) 12.21.08

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Everton (h); 2-0 Bolton (h); 0-0 Wolves (a)
Arsenal: 0-2 Chelsea (a); 1-3 United (h); 0-0 Villa (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 12; Kuyt 9; Benayoun, Gerrard 5; Ngog 4; Babel, Johnson 2; Kyrgiakos, Skrtel 1
Arsenal: Fabregas 11; Arshavin, van Persie 7; Vermaelen 6; Diaby 5; Denilson, Eduardo, Gallas, Ramsey, Rosicky 3; Bendtner, Eboue, Merida, Nasri, Song, Vela, Walcott 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Odd, seeing how Webb's gotten the last two Liverpool/Arsenal league games.

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Gerrard Aquilani Riera
Kuyt

Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Ngog

Update: I should have waited an hour. Evidently Aquilani's picked up an illness that rules him out. I'm leaving what I wrote below for posterity's sake, but the absence of Aquilani forces a bit of a rethink.

Arsenal’s last two matches, against United and Chelsea, provide the perfect road map on how to beat them. Villa did similar, but couldn’t score on the counter in the 0-0 draw two weeks ago. Admittedly, both United and Chelsea are stronger than Liverpool at present, with or without Liverpool’s current injuries. And Liverpool has rarely impressed away from Anfield this season. But it’s eminently doable, and Liverpool’s recently reacquired fighting spirit increases that possibility.

The first requirement will be not allowing Arsenal to play their game. Well, Liverpool will want them to try to knit passes through the middle – their too-clever-by-a-half football – but cannot give them any space in the final third. As Arshavin’s repeatedly shown. That Liverpool’s coming off three successive clean sheets – six in the last seven league games – is an enormous boon, and while there’ll be enforced changes due to Kyrgiakos’ red card, I’d have guessed Skrtel to return to the backline for the upgrade in pace regardless.

Closing down the midfield is the second part of that task. And that’s why I imagine both Lucas and Mascherano will be in central midfield. The pairing’s become standard fare against top-tier sides, especially when Liverpool’s away from home, and its best asset is nullifying the opposition.

But I still think there’s a role to play for Aquilani, and it’s why I’ve guessed the front four listed above. United and Chelsea put a combined five goals past Arsenal thanks to the counter attack. The interplay of the front four is most crucial, and that’s where Aquilani’s close control and vision comes in. The pace of Ngog or Babel doesn’t seem as essential (but could be very important off the bench), and while even I’ll admit Kuyt’s usually no great shakes upfront, he’s best attacking in combination (see 5-1 over Newcastle in 2008) and on the counter. Whomever plays on the right, whether it’s Gerrard, Kuyt, or Maxi, will need to test Clichy, who’s been absolutely gash in the last two matches.

Don’t get me wrong. It wouldn’t be a walk in the park on a normal day, and Arsenal’s become a wounded animal after taking one point in the last three games, against the seventh, second, and first placed sides. Despite scoring once in the last three matches, they’ve tallied 60 goals in 25 games, 17 more than Liverpool. Arshavin always ups his game against Liverpool, scoring five in his last two against. Sagna and Clichy will bomb forward, and Liverpool can be vulnerable to crosses. Maybe Arsenal will start Bendtner (I would if I was Wenger), but otherwise they aren’t very tall in attack.

Liverpool’s only dropped four points from the last seven games, finally working their way up to fourth. The final CL place is nearly Liverpool’s to lose; with Manchester City coming after Arsenal, a win there could see City’s games in hand made moot. And a victory tomorrow, at a stadium where Liverpool’s never won at (three draws and two losses), would see third place eminently achievable despite the disastrous first half of the season. But, of course, a loss would cancel out almost all of the last few weeks’ good work.

Liverpool v Everton 04.14.12

7:30am ET, live in the US on FSC

Previous rounds:
Liverpool: 2-1 Stoke (h); 6-1 Brighton (h); 2-1 United (h); 5-1 Oldham (h)
Everton: 2-0 Sunderland (a); 1-1 Sunderland (h); 2-0 Blackpool (h); 2-1 Fulham (h); 2-0 Tamworth (h)

Last four head-to-head:
3-0 Liverpool (h) 03.13.12
2-0 Liverpool (a) 10.01.11
2-2 (h) 01.16.11
0-2 Everton (a) 10.17.10

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-2 Blackburn (a); 1-1 Villa (a); 0-2 Newcastle (a)
Everton: 4-0 Sunderland (h); 2-2 Norwich (a); 2-0 West Brom (h)

Goalscorers (all competitions):
Liverpool: Suarez 13; Bellamy 9; Gerrard 8; Carroll 7; Maxi 6; Kuyt 5; Skrtel 4; Adam, Downing 2; Agger, Coates, Henderson, Johnson, Kelly, Shelvey 1
Everton: Anichebe 6; Baines, Jelavic 5; Drenthe, Osman 4; Fellaini, Stracqualursi, Vellios 3; Cahill, Jagielka, Pienaar, Rodwell 2; Gibson, Gueye, Heitinga, Howard, Neville 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Guess at a line-up:
Jones
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Kuyt Gerrard Spearing Downing
Suarez Carroll

So, is it safe to stop Comolli-Cruyff Watch for a day or two?

Because of everything that's come before over the last few months, especially in league fixtures, this is now a season-defining match. It probably would be anyway; it's not often that both Merseyside clubs meet at Wembley for a cup final birth. But Liverpool's campaign has been focused on the cups for a some time now. Which makes it somewhat fitting that the road to the FA Cup is blocked by Liverpool's oldest, nearest, and dearest rivals.

As usual, the biggest guess comes in Liverpool's formation. Will Dalglish line up a 4-4-2, matching Everton's likely set-up, or a 4-2-3-1 with Suarez up front? And as usual, it all depends on Carroll. It'd be strange to see him dropped after Tuesday's immense late winner, more important for the resultant confidence boost than the result, but Dalglish has dropped others after better performances, and Carroll could definitely be fatigued after an hour-plus as a lone striker with the side down to 10 men.

Liverpool have played 4-4-2 with Carroll starting, and effectively at that, in both wins over Everton this season. The above formation is incredibly similar to the team which won convincingly when these sides last met. The only differences in the guessed XI and the one which won on March 13 is Johnson back at right-back and Kuyt in place of Henderson – because it's a big game, against Everton, and it's Dirk Kuyt. The Scourge of the Blues. Maxi missing out after Tuesday's performance seems slightly unfair, but he was clearly tiring by the hour mark and rarely has the legs for consecutive starts.

That Johnson and Agger came out of Tuesday's match unscathed couldn't have come at a better time. Both were handled excellently, prioritizing participation in tomorrow's match: Agger made important sub appearances in Liverpool's last two fixtures, Johnson started 53 good minutes (on the left, no less) against Blackburn. Liverpool's defense has massively missed both, especially the Dane, and Brad Jones will need all the help he can get.

It will be a vastly different Everton side to the one Liverpool beat at Anfield last month. Then as now, Moyes has focused on the FA Cup, understandably so. Pienaar is cup-tied and Rodwell is injured, but Gibson, Heitinga, Neville, Drenthe, Cahill, Osman, and Jelavic – the latter six on the bench for the Anfield meeting – should all start tomorrow.

Of course, Everton rested many of those players for their last league match against Sunderland and won 4-0, with all four goals coming in the second half. The Blues are unbeaten in five, and have lost just twice since January 11 – at Liverpool and Arsenal. Accordingly, given Liverpool's near-mirror image slide over the same time frame, Everton are now 7th in the league, a point ahead of their crosstown rivals.

As much as Everton would like to present otherwise, reveling in the underdog role against Big Bad Liverpool, they have to be the favorites tomorrow. Just look at the clubs' records over the past few months. Then look at the table. That Liverpool won the last two derbies means less than we'd hope: one, because each Derby is its own small self-contained war, and two, because of circumstances in each meeting – Rodwell's harsh red in the first, Everton's weakened XI in the second.

But Liverpool has reveled in the underdog role just as often this season, playing their best football when less-fancied and proactive football is less required. The Liverpool which has lined up in the cups has often been completely different to Liverpool in the league – not in tactics or personnel, but in form and belief – especially since fourth place became a lost cause in late February. And while Liverpool's last two results aren't especially impressive at face value – a home draw and late away win against relegation contenders! – both were important because of the fight needed to earn each result.

For once (well, twice, actually), Liverpool didn't accept unlucky fate, and worked diligently to turn bad fortune around. That type of reaction will be vital against a diligent, fighting opponent such as Everton in such a massively important, season-defining cup tie.

Carling Cup Final Notes

I would have liked to write an over-arching review like those for Liverpool games, but the game itself was disappointing, and I’ve got little to say that can be expressed in a coherent piece. Many of the game’s talking points had little to do with the football, anyway. However, there are a few things I want to touch on.

- Arsenal has no complaints about losing this game. Yes, Drogba’s first goal was offsides, and Arsenal was in the game throughout, but when you start a lineup where not including the goalie the average age is 21, you should not be surprised when they fail to seal the game against the two-time league champions. Just saying. Not that it stopped Wenger’s usual post-match whining, but it would have been nice to see Arsene not blame everyone else for once. The future may be bright for the youngsters, especially Diaby, Walcott, Fabregas (more later) and Traore (Denilson’s been singled out as well, but I have to say, I’m not sold), but I’m stunned Wenger kept the faith with them. It will probably pay off when a few make the first team on a regular basis, but it wasn’t going to in what was the first major final for the majority of them.

- Didier Drogba is the best player on the planet right now. It hurts to say it, and surprising given Drogba’s first season in England and propensity for falling over, but it’s the case now. He has 28 goals and it’s not even March. In addition, he’s the proud owner of Phillipe Senderos, has the deed and everything. I bet Senderos is getting absolutely sick of "marking" him.

- John Terry is a cyborg. Has to be. Accidentally kicked in the head by Abou Diaby so hard he was knocked unconscious and swallowed his tongue around the 60th minute, and back at the stadium celebrating the win a little over an hour later. Stunning. I’ve got little time for Terry as both a player and a person, but that incident was utterly horrifying and it’s good to read he was out of hospital so soon.

- It was completely unsurprising to see a full-on melee at the end. Two teams with an inferiority complex and a maturity problem, led by egomaniacs, at the end of a closely fought final. Truth be told, Mourinho and Wenger should have touchline bans as long as the players red carded. Neither needed to come onto the field, neither came out with the intention of calming things down, as each went to the other’s players and started pointing fingers, and their involvement served no more than to keep tempers inflamed. Good work, guys, class acts. Although there’s no surprise there.

But the real cause of the breakdown were the egos of Cesc Fabregas and Frank Lampard, and both should have seen straight red as well. Both came thundering in, pushing, shoving and shouting, when cooler heads and the initial parties (Mikel and Toure) separated would have ended the matter then and there. But neither would let it end, everyone ended up involved following the lead of the main players (Toure was Arsenal’s captain, Lampard Chelsea’s stand-in captain, and Fabregas thinks he’s captain). And it ended up killing off any chance of Arsenal making a game out of it at the end, as they had done against Wigan recently and Man Utd earlier. Cesc is one hell of a talent, which is why I’m singling him out, but sometimes it seems he’s gotten far too big for his britches this season.

And Emmanuel Adebayor had every right to be furious. From everything I saw, he did little different from every other player involved that stayed on the field. All it took was a couple of words from a linesman who evidently can’t tell the difference between certain players (draw your own conclusions from that) and he was off, because Ade wasn’t going to be sent off before that. I thought Howard Webb, who is a ref I (used to) have a lot of time for, was smarter than that. I still firmly maintain video replay for in-game usage would slow the game down far too much, but a fourth official at a monitor watching incidents like this, and for example, the Zidane incident during the World Cup Final, makes a lot of sense, and would keep completely idiotic errors like this from happening.


It disappoints me that I spent so much time talking about parts of this game that had nothing to do with football, but those were the talking points, it was what everyone’s paying attention to today, and, like a car-wreck on the highway, it was a spectacle you couldn't avert your eyes from.

However, if I could have picked two teams to have a contentious, ugly, and draining game, these two probably would have been my choices, save maybe Manchester United. Even though Chelsea won and Arsenal played the reserves, this game should impact the rest of their seasons. The suspensions certainly will. And Arsenal’s fixture calendar is going to start to give them problems as well.

I guess that what I’m saying, despite the spectacle, despite the quality of play, despite the result, this game did end up making me smile.

Liverpool v Tottenham 01.20.10

3pm. Delayed in the US at 4:45pm on Setanta.

If the Carling Cup semi goes long, the delayed showing won’t start on time. If I can find a reasonable stream, I’ll have a review up soon after the match like usual. And if not, it’ll be up after the delayed showing.

Last 4 head-to-head:
1-2 Spurs (a) 08.16.09
3-1 Liverpool (h) 05.24.09
2-4 Spurs (a; Carling Cup) 11.12.08
1-2 Spurs (a) 11.01.08

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-1 Stoke (a); 1-2 Reading aet (h); 1-1 Reading (a)
Spurs: 0-0 Hull (h); 4-0 Peterborough (h); 2-0 West Ham (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 12; Benayoun, Gerrard, Kuyt 5; Ngog 4; Babel, Johnson 2; Kyrgiakos, Skrtel 1
Spurs: Defoe 14; Keane 6; Crouch, Kranjcar 4; Lennon 3; Dawson 2; Assou-Ekotto, Bassong, Bentley, Corluka, Huddlestone, Jenas, King, Modric, Palacios 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Kyrgiakos Aurelio
Mascherano
Rodriguez Aquilani Lucas Riera
Kuyt

Even with Gerrard, Torres, Benayoun, and Johnson – among others – injured, Liverpool needs a more attacking line-up than the one we saw on Saturday.

I know we’ve concluded that Kuyt as a lone striker isn’t a preferred option against any side. The only time it worked to a tee was the 5-1 victory over Newcastle last winter. But I’d rather have Kuyt – ideally with Maxi and Riera supporting from the flanks and both Aquilani and Lucas further forward in midfield – than Ngog. The young Frenchman’s done well for his age so far this season, but has struggled in the last two matches, and would find it hard to make headway isolated against the likes Bassong and Dawson. Kuyt’s frenetic workrate should partially prevent any isolation.

Guessing both Riera and Rodriguez to start is putting a lot of faith in a player just back from an extended injury and in one that’s completely new to England. But Liverpool doesn’t have much choice. If Kuyt starts up top (as a lone striker or partnered with Ngog), the options on the right are exceptionally limited. I’m hoping Liverpool won’t resort to starting a right back in midfield for the second straight game, although it’s not as if Degen’s been atrocious. And both Riera and Maxi could provide Liverpool an option they’ve been missing this past month, an option that’s doubly needed with the big guns absent.

Kyrgiakos may have been man of the match on Saturday, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll start tomorrow. The giant Greek stands out against sides like Stoke, where his aerial presence is crucial and his pace isn’t tested. Spurs, on the other hand, can surely test Liverpool’s defenders with speed. But if Agger’s still out, combined with the chance of Crouch starting, we might see Kyrgiakos once again. Either way, I expect to see Carra continue at right back, and hope that Aurelio replaces the clearly tired Insua on the left.

I joked last week that Liverpool would have been happy to see this match postponed, what with the injury troubles and Masch soon to return from suspension. That was before Gerrard, Torres, and Benayoun were laid up. But, at least the match still comes too soon for the tricky Lennon, who’s out with a groin tear. Tottenham surely has more danger men – Kranjcar and Modric are scoring, Defoe’s in sterling form, and I’m always deathly frightened of former Liverpool players, especially strikers.

Even though Liverpool should have had the chance to equalize with a late penalty when these clubs met in August, Spurs were deserved winners, setting this season’s tone early on. But even with Liverpool’s troubles, and with Spurs looking their best since Jol was in charge, the two clubs are only four points apart in the table. A win tomorrow truly could change the complexion of the league. Liverpool should have no motivation trouble with how the season’s gone so far, but the fact that three points tomorrow would put the club only one point behind fourth should be more than enough incentive.

Spain 1-0 Holland aet

Casillas
Ramos Pique Puyol Capdevila
Busquets Alonso
Pedro Xavi Iniesta
Villa

Stekelenburg
Van der Wiel Heitinga Mathijsen Van Bronckhorst
De Jong Van Bommel
Robben Sneijder Kuyt
Van Persie

Goals:
Iniesta 116'

Good defeats evil.

There is a reason why teams up against proponents of "the beautiful game" turn matches into wars of attrition. Because it usually works. Pity for the Dutch it only worked for 115 minutes, but if we want to bring in concepts of fairness, karma, and justice, well, we got the right result. In an unjust universe, that's not usually the case.

47 fouls. 14 yellow cards. 1 red card. 13 offsides. 11 shots on target. 1 goal.

I guess it shouldn't have surprised. Spain had won their last three games by the same scoreline. And pragmatic Holland were always going to make it difficult. But I didn't expect this anti-advertisement for football. Finals frequently disappoint, but this was especially ugly. Nine of those yellow cards were shown to Holland – it should have been more, and they should have been down to ten long before the 109th minute. It's easy to criticize Howard Webb after that (and I will, thank you), but neither side helped him out.

When Ramos nearly scored in the 5th, a free header well-saved by the diving Stekelenburg, it looked like we might actually get that aesthetic steamroller we'd hoped for. Holland couldn't get the ball for love or money in the first 10 minutes; Villa nearly got on the end of a chipped ball over the top, Ramos' center was almost turned into the Dutch net by Heitinga. But then the Netherlands made their mark on the game and Spain. I hope the more literary media outlets make multiple references to the Eighty Years' War.

Van Persie had set the tone with a late kick on Busquets in the second minute, and got his yellow in the 15th. Van Bommel saw one, which could have been red, seven minutes later, charging in on Iniesta. And five minutes after that, de Jong definitely should have seen a straight red for kung fu fighting with Alonso, leaving stud-marks on his sternum. There's pragmatism and there's brutality. I can't help but point out the parallels with Holland's last appearance in the final, Clockwork Orange beaten and bruised by the hosts Argentina in 1978. Neither totaalvoetbal nor shock and awe seems to work for the Dutch. Meanwhile, Spain weren't winning any friends by reacting theatrically and begging for bookings with every foul. This team is heavily modeled on Barcelona, after all.

Don't get me wrong; other than the disgusting antics, it was an eminently watchable match despite the dearth of goals. As per usual with Spain. Both side had chances, especially as the game went on, and both Robben and Villa spurned opportunities you'd wager anything on them scoring after the hour mark. First, the Bayern winger split the centerbacks running onto Sneijder's through, only to see Casillas somehow save with his biggest toe. Six minutes later, the substitute Navas sprinted down the flank and sent in a low cross that Heitinga could only touch to Villa, but the sprawling centerback somehow still blocked the close-range shot. Ramos headed over another set play in the 77th, Robben amazingly stayed on his feet on a breakaway (yeah, really!) in the 83rd despite being fouled by Puyol, only to see Iker come out to smother. Either team could have won this game in normal time as both played the style they set out to.

Unsurprisingly, as legs continued to tire, the game continued to open up. Holland replaced Kuyt with Elia and de Jong with van der Vaart. Spain responded with Navas for Pedro, Cesc for Alonso, and finally Torres for Villa (during the extra-time interval). Neither side made a "defensive" substitution; at worst, it was like-for-like, and at least that's admirable. Stekelenburg made a huge save on Fabregas, set up by Iniesta, in the 95th. Mathijsen somehow headed a free attempt over less than a minute later. Then Navas, open on the right, saw his strike deflected into the side netting.

And in the 109th, we finally got the inevitable red card when Heitinga picked up his second yellow, pulling back a potentially-through Iniesta just outside the box. From there, Holland could only play for penalties, and Spain made them pay at long last. Torres' smart early cross was under-hit, but the off-balance Dutch defender could only clear it to Fabregas, who set up Iniesta for a smashing winner on the bounce, with the Barca man whipping off his shirt to display a classy tribute to Dani Jarque. There's no response to that with less than five minutes left and a man disadvantage. Of course, we still have some controversy, as Holland should have had a corner instead of a Spanish goal kick, while Elia was arguably fouled, in the build-up to the winner. Karma is a bitch.

Given my Liverpool bent, I'd be remiss if I didn't give my congratulations to Torres and Reina, and condolences to Kuyt and Babel. Yes, I was wrong; Torres didn't start once again, and it was the right decision given that he pulled up with what appeared to be cramp (and hopefully hopefully hopefully not a hamstring injury) right at the end. Pedro didn't impress, but Spain's other subs did: Navas stretched the game well, while Fabregas set up the winner and could have had one himself. Meanwhile, it was probably Kuyt's worst game of the tournament, and little surprise to see him off for the more attacking Elia in the 71st. Liverpool's players had a tough club season, and those in the final had a tough final. Sorry guys. I hope for all of us that next season is better.

So, man bites dog and beauty beats the beast. The right team won. That they're the current European champions, and despite a loss in their opening game, makes it all the more impressive. Ignore the 1-0 results if all you care about is goals. This Spanish side is one of the best teams to ever play international football. The best team doesn't win often enough.

Liverpool at Arsenal 10.28.07

12pm EST, live in the US on FSC

Last 4 head-to-head:
4-1 Liverpool (h) 03.31.07
3-6 Arsenal (h) 01.09.07
1-3 Arsenal (h) 01.06.07
0-3 Arsenal (a) 11.12.06

Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 1-2 Besiktas (a); 2-1 Everton (a) 2-2 Spurs (h)
Arsenal: 7-0 Slavia Prague (h); 2-0 Bolton (h); 3-2 Sunderland (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 4; Voronin 3; Alonso, Kuyt 2; Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Sissoko 1
Arsenal: Adebayor 6; van Persie 5; Fabregas 4; Rosicky 2; Diaby, Hleb, Senderos, Toure 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Finnan Carragher Hyypia Riise
Gerrard Alonso Mascherano Benayoun
Torres Crouch

According to reports, Torres is fit and should start, Alonso may start, and Sunday will probably come too soon for both Arbeloa (who is in the squad) and Agger (who is not). Given Liverpool’s defensive struggles over the last few games, both of those players will be missed, but having both Torres and Alonso back will help the team to be sure.

I’m more than cognizant of what can happen when players are rushed back, and it’s only been 4-5 weeks since Alonso broke his metatarsal, but Liverpool desperately misses his steadying presence in midfield. And Torres’ merits can go unsaid, especially considering Liverpool’s goal return in the games he’s missed.

In the build-up to this game, one of the main things on my mind was last year’s 4-1 win over Arsenal at Anfield. Neither Liverpool nor Arsenal’s sides are radically different from that game.

First, and I hadn’t thought of it when writing the Besiktas preview, but Crouch could be likely to start Sunday based on his performance last season, which could explain why he only got around 10 minutes on Wednesday. He’ll come up against the same center-backs -- Toure and Gallas -- as last March, and Arsenal is vulnerable to height in defense. I considered including Pennant for this reason, and wouldn’t be surprised if he started, but having Gerrard, Alonso and Mascherano in midfield seemed more important to other parts of Liverpool’s game.

Last season, Crouch started alone up top with Gerrard in a free role behind. I don’t think that likely this weekend for two reasons: one, Liverpool hasn’t played that way all season, and two, Torres will be on the field if fit (and rightfully so).

But with Gerrard on the right, with Alonso and Mascherano in the center, Liverpool should be able to both restrict Arsenal in the middle and allow Gerrard a free enough role to influence proceedings as he does best. If Gerrard does end up in a free role from this position though, Finnan (and Carra, who almost always plays next to him) will have a lot to do to make sure the defense isn’t caught out down Liverpool’s right by either Hleb or Rosicky.

Two players who had a huge impact on last season’s game, Arbeloa and Aurelio, won’t feature on Sunday. Both did excellently getting forward from defense and providing crosses, and Liverpool will miss the presence of both. Arsenal, for all their strengths, can be taken advantage of on the flanks. It will be imperative for both Finnan and Riise to do similar, especially for Finnan to deliver crosses like the one for Torres’ equalizer against Spurs.

Admittedly, with both Agger and Arbeloa out, the speed of Arsenal’s attack worries me. Which is another reason for the inclusion of both Alonso and Mascherano, in addition to Gerrard on the right. Liverpool cannot let Arsenal play their style of football or let them get the first goal. We saw time and time again last season (three times, actually) what can happen when Arsenal do either. And with the confidence Arsenal have coming into this game, the first goal will be even more crucial.

There’s little to be said about Arsenal’s start to the season. Impressive sums it up adequately. They’re unbeaten and have only drawn once, away at Blackburn, which was over 2 months ago. I’m sure everyone’s aware that they won their last game 7-0. Fabregas has been one of the best, if not the best (my vote goes to Elano, but not by much) player in the league so far this season.

But they will miss van Persie. I’m not convinced they’ll be able to maintain this form all season. And they can be beaten.

Liverpool will be fully aware how important this game is to the rest of the season, and hopefully more than willing to put recent performances behind them. I don’t like hyping an October match any more than it should be, as it is still October, but this game will tell us a lot about the future.

ynwa

Liverpool at Charlton 12.16.06

7:45am. Available in the US live on Setanta Sports.

Liverpool: 5th place; 28 points out of 17 games
Charlton: 19th place; 12 points out of 17 games

Last 4 meetings:
0-0 (h) 03.04.06
0-2 Charlton (a) 02.08.06
2-1 Liverpool (a) 02.01.05
2-0 Liverpool (a) 10.23.04

Last 3 games:
Liverpool: 4-0 Fulham (h); 2-3 Galatasaray (a); 4-0 Wigan (a)
Charlton: 1-5 Tottenham (a); 1-0 Blackburn (h); 1-2 Sheffield Utd (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 6; Bellamy 3; Crouch, Garcia, Gerrard, Gonzalez 2; Agger, Alonso, Carragher, Fowler, Riise 1
Charlton: Bent 6; Reid 2; M Bent, El Karkouri, Hasselbaink 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise
Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Gonzalez
Crouch, Bellamy

I’m pretty sure that as of the terms of his loan, Scott Carson can’t play for Charlton. Pity for them, he’s been their best player. Neither that fact nor Charlton’s form should mean that this game is taken for granted, however. Neither of last year’s fixtures gave Liverpool any joy; Charlton deservedly won at the Valley and the game at Anfield was exhibit A of Liverpool’s profligacy in front of goal.

I’ve gone with Crouchy up front instead of Kuyt because he’s been out of the team for what seems to be a while now and Kuyt probably could use a break, despite being rested away at Galatasaray. As always though, picking from the three forwards is a crapshoot when they’re all healthy, and all have assets (Bellamy’s pace, Crouch’s height, Kuyt’s never-say-die attitude) that could trouble the Addicks’ shaky backline.

Seeing Gonzo return as a sub against Fulham was quite reassuring; his absence, along with Aurelio and Kewell’s, has left Liverpool light on the left. The stunning free kick in the 90th minute last match was icing on the cake; I’ll be content to see him continue to adjust to the English game while giving Liverpool increased width, and hope that he gets a start. My major and really only concern is that his need to improve his crossing while he’s running at pace, because far too often this season we’ve seen those passes end up in row Z.

Hopefully Charlton’s need for points, coupled with Les Reed’s promise to play more attacking footie, will mean that Charlton will actually come out of their own half and Liverpool won’t be forced to play against 10 men behind the ball. It’s getting annoying to be repetitive, but Liverpool still must prove they have what it takes to break teams down in this situation, especially on the road. And as always, the earlier the goal, the better for the team; there’s no better example than the last game. Once Liverpool put one past Fulham, they got two more in less than 10 minutes, and another to close the half. A repeat of that would certainly be welcomed.