Liverpool Echo 27 February 2008
Rafa Benitez emphasised at the weekend the need for Liverpool to step up their challenge for fourth place, writes Tommy Smith.
Of course, he was right, and Liverpool duly obliged – if only for 48 hours. However, the result from the City of Manchester stadium on Monday night underlined the fact that the Reds face a major challenge for that fourth spot, not least from their neighbours, Everton.
It was an excellent win by the Blues and one which threw down the gauntlet to their Mersey rivals as they go head to head for that vital Champions League spot.
With a three points difference again it underlines why a win at Bolton on Sunday is essential for Benitez's team. Bolton are struggling for survival in the Premier League, yet they have never made it easy for the Reds, particularly when led by Sam Allardyce.
He was very much an 'in your face' manager who produced a side that always made life difficult. They need points as desperately as the Reds, but Gary Megson won't be too adventurous, despite being the home side.
That's why a strong Benitez side must go and take the game to Bolton and return with three points. We're getting to the business end of the season now, so there's no room for caution.
The Reds need wins – a draw might normally have been acceptable, but not any more given how tight the table is. It's a case of who dares wins now.
The Reds must try to capitalise on the home games remaining, especially with matches against West Ham, Newcastle and Reading next.
And I don't have to emphasise why a win in the Anfield derby is essential.
Two of the Reds' away games are at Arsenal and United, where points are hard to find, so the Reds have to keep on winning.
I felt sorry for both Eduardo and Martin Taylor after the gut-wrenching tackle at the weekend. It was an ill-judged, mistimed tackle by Taylor, who deserved his red card, but it wasn't a deliberate attempt to damage the player. Eduardo was just unlucky where Taylor caught him and we wish the Arsenal player a speedy recovery. Despite the reputation I had, I was only involved in one "broken leg" incident, and that came in a tackle I made when I was 15!
Of course, he was right, and Liverpool duly obliged – if only for 48 hours. However, the result from the City of Manchester stadium on Monday night underlined the fact that the Reds face a major challenge for that fourth spot, not least from their neighbours, Everton.
It was an excellent win by the Blues and one which threw down the gauntlet to their Mersey rivals as they go head to head for that vital Champions League spot.
With a three points difference again it underlines why a win at Bolton on Sunday is essential for Benitez's team. Bolton are struggling for survival in the Premier League, yet they have never made it easy for the Reds, particularly when led by Sam Allardyce.
He was very much an 'in your face' manager who produced a side that always made life difficult. They need points as desperately as the Reds, but Gary Megson won't be too adventurous, despite being the home side.
That's why a strong Benitez side must go and take the game to Bolton and return with three points. We're getting to the business end of the season now, so there's no room for caution.
The Reds need wins – a draw might normally have been acceptable, but not any more given how tight the table is. It's a case of who dares wins now.
The Reds must try to capitalise on the home games remaining, especially with matches against West Ham, Newcastle and Reading next.
And I don't have to emphasise why a win in the Anfield derby is essential.
Two of the Reds' away games are at Arsenal and United, where points are hard to find, so the Reds have to keep on winning.
I felt sorry for both Eduardo and Martin Taylor after the gut-wrenching tackle at the weekend. It was an ill-judged, mistimed tackle by Taylor, who deserved his red card, but it wasn't a deliberate attempt to damage the player. Eduardo was just unlucky where Taylor caught him and we wish the Arsenal player a speedy recovery. Despite the reputation I had, I was only involved in one "broken leg" incident, and that came in a tackle I made when I was 15!
No comments:
Post a Comment