WHY LIVERPOOL MUST AVOID CURSE OF THURSDAY NIGHTS
Dropping into Europa League will jolt title bid
TOMORROW night is Liverpool’s biggest game of the season. Their result against Napoli will have a huge say on whether they can win the Premier League.
Qualify for the Champions League knockout stage and they go into Sunday’s Anfield showdown with bitter rivals Manchester United with incredible momentum. Failing to make it through would not only be a significant blow to their confidence but could also mean they are playing Europa League football.
Playing on Thursday then Sunday is gruelling and it means you are more likely to have to play catch-up in the Premier League. It would threaten to derail their title push.
Despite making their best start to a top-flight season, Liverpool are still only a point clear at the top.
Manchester City may have lost to Chelsea but that result makes them no less formidable. I cannot see them making many more slip-ups, especially when Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne return to fitness.
Since their last league championhave ship in 1990, Liverpool have never looked better equipped to win the title. The ability to bring on players like Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana shows their strength.
Yet James Milner is the only player in their squad who has won the Premier League — doing so twice with City. I was part of the 1996 Liverpool side who were top at Christmas but finished seven points behind Manchester United. Ten years ago, Rafa Benitez was in the same position as Jurgen Klopp now — one point clear after 16 games — only to finish second to United.
In 2014 Liverpool were in the driving seat with three games to go but could not get over the line. We will only find out if this current group what it takes if they are still leading as the season enters the final straight. Up against defending champions City, Liverpool need any advantage they can get. It’s why they must do the job tomorrow.
It reminds me of when Steven Gerrard inspired the brilliant comeback against Olympiacos in 2004 to reach the knockout stage. This is Klopp’s Olympiacos moment. He needs big players to step up and deliver.