Spack: It’s time for an Anfield lift
NIGEL SPACKMAN is in no doubt about the importance of Tuesday’s clash at Anfield between Liverpool and Chelsea.
“This really is what they call a crunch game – especially for Liverpool,” said Spackman, who was a title winner with the Reds in 1988 and has watched the club struggle for more than 25 years to bring the championship back to Merseyside.
Liverpool last won it in 1990 – and Kop fans were optimistic the long wait for another title would be ended this season under Jurgen Klopp.
But a series of disappointing results has slowed their charge.
“You can’t rule them out,” said Spackman, who signed for Liverpool from Chelsea in 1987.
“There are still so many points at stake. And as Kenny Dalglish – my manager at Liverpool – used to tell us, no trophies get handed out in January.
“But what Liverpool badly need at the moment is a lift after the defeats by Swansea, Southampton and Wolves. To beat Chelsea would be the perfect lift.
“They have the players to do it and they will be encouraged by the results against those teams in and around the top six. They beat Arsenal, won at Chelsea, drew twice with Manchester United and drew at Tottenham.
“Those are excellent results. The problem has been against smaller teams. They lost at home to Swansea, drew at Sunderland and at home to West Ham. They lost 4-3 at Bournemouth after being comfortably ahead.”
Not to mention yesterday’s FA Cup result against Wolves.
“Those are the kind of matches that Chelsea ARE winning,” he added.
“Chelsea have a big advantage in that they are a team packed with proven winners. They have the medals to prove it. The manager Antonio Conte is a winner and they showed they can win without Diego Costa at Leicester. They don’t play well at times – but they win.
“Personally, I think Liverpool will get a top-four finish and Chelsea will win the title. But don’t rule out a Liverpool win on Tuesday.”