Liverpool assumes mantle of sides of old

By Vic Mills

LONDON (JP): Despite reducing the English Premier League to twenty clubs, the powers to be, at odds with the winter break sanctioned by the rest of Europe, continue to persist with the frenetic Christmas program that this year brings three games in eight days.

Set to play its second game in 48 hours, Liverpool, three points clear the top of the Premiership, has the long haul to Hampshire to play Southampton. A fixture that reunites the Anfield club with one of its favorite sons, Graeme Souness.

A former Liverpool captain of note, Souness, in his first year of management at the Dell, will be under no illusions at the task facing his club.

Over the past month the Merseyside club has taken on the appearance of Liverpool sides of old. The system of playing three center-backs and two wing-backs now runs with well-oiled efficiency. A confidence demonstrated by the sale of accomplished defender John Scales to Tottenham Hotspur.

In midfield, running at defenses from deep, Steve McManaman is in the best form of his young life. His youthfulness contrasts wonderfully well with the grace and experience of John Barnes and the all-round skills of Michael Thomas and Jamie Redknapp.

Although slow to move into gear this season, forwards Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore have returned to their predatory best. With Patrik Berger waiting in the wings, the Anfield machine has the look of champion about it.

Performance

Disappointed with its performance in the draw against Leicester on December 26, Liverpool will not underestimate its opponents. Southampton beat Manchester United 6-3 at the Dell in late October and Souness will again look to the heroes that day, Emil Berkovic and Egil Ostenstadt, to work a little magic.

The most evenly contested game of the day pits second against fifth as Aston Villa travels to Highbury to play Arsenal. Both arrive seeking a little seasonal joy as their form has dipped of late.

One time leader of the Premiership, Arsenal has only picked up one point from recent games against Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday, sides it would ordinarily expect to beat. The Londonners also had Ian Wright sent-off at the City Ground.

While another blank day for the North London club would not set the panic bells ringing, it would nevertheless raise questions of its ability to stay the course until May.

Aston Villa arrives in much the same position, having had a successful run halted by Chelsea on Boxing Day. With fixtures against Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool to follow the Arsenal game, this is not the time for faltering form.

No such problems at Old Trafford where a rampant Manchester United can do no wrong at the moment. With the weight of European expectation lifted, United has now scored nine goals without reply in its last two games against Sunderland and Nottingham Forest, statistics that suggest Leeds United will not relish the short cross-Pennine journey to Old Trafford.

The confident mood has been boosted by the recall of Andy Cole to first team duty following a lengthy injury. His return and goal against Forest was a late Christmas present for manager Alex Ferguson in that it gives him both an extra attacking option and cover for the diminutive Solskjaer.

Having not conceded a goal in five games, Leeds fell apart at home to Coventry City Thursday, going down 3-1. Goalkeeper Nigel Martin will hope for more protection from his defense at Old Trafford where he is likely to be the busiest man on the pitch.

Newcastle

Riding high at the top of the Premiership a month ago, Newcastle United, currently without a win in its last seven games, has now dropped to sixth place, eight points behind Liverpool albeit with a game in hand.

The visit of Tottenham Hotspur to St James' Park will bring more anxious moments as it itself has moved to the fringe of the Premiership race and sees a precious UEFA Cup place as the prize at stake in this second half of the season.

Having had the luxury of escaping the freezing conditions on Boxing Day, its match against West Ham postponed, fourth place Wimbledon returns to action with an away fixture against Everton at Goodison Park.

The Dons, still smarting from the five-goal mauling against Aston Villa, will look to follow the teachings of manager Joe Kinnear and revert to its cornerstones of unity, discipline and organization.

Beaten 4-2 by Middlesbrough Thursday, Everton, itself close to contention, needs greater consistency if it is to hold realistic hopes of challenging for honors.

Of other Premiership fringe dwellers, Chelsea will look to make ground on the leaders with a home game against Sheffield Wednesday. It has been a frustrating time for manager Ruud Gullit with inconsistency at the heart of the problem.

Gullit will look at the growing understanding between Gianfranco Zola and Mark Hughes as a way of opening up the sturdy Wednesday defense. Indeed, such is its blossoming partnership that it looks set to delay the return of Gianluca Vialli for another week at least.

Elsewhere in the Premiership the emphasis is on relegation matters. Climbing steadily out of danger after three consecutive wins, Coventry City entertains a Middlesbrough side that recorded its first win since mid-September on Boxing Day. Not a game for the faint-hearted, Coventry's renewed purpose would win the day.

Fresh from its victory over Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers travels to Derby County. After a bright start back in the Premier League, Derby has fallen away of late. More dropped points against Blackburn and manager Jim Smith will have strong words for his players.

Strong nerves and even stronger drink will be the order of the day for both supporters and management in the remaining games where relegation candidates West Ham United entertains Sunderland and bottom club Nottingham Forest travels to near neighbor Leicester City.