Liverpool revival gets earliest possible test

By Vic Mills

MELBOURNE (JP): The visit of reigning Premiership champion and current leader, Manchester United, to Anfield tomorrow provides an early test for the latest Liverpool revival that was sparked so vividly by Steve McManaman's sensational volleyed winner against Arsenal last weekend.

Plagued by inconsistency last season, Liverpool has shown few signs of shedding that tag during the first half of this campaign. Early season injuries, modest form and goalkeeper David James at his most erratic tell their own tale.

The cause has not been helped by indiscipline, most noticeably on the part of Robbie Fowler, sent off twice this season, and expensive summer signing and club captain, Paul Ince. Both miss tomorrow's game through suspension.

Ironically, their absence forced Evans into a winning formula at Highbury.

Only time will tell whether it will be good enough to beat the champions.

What is certain, however, is that with Jamie Redknapp and McManaman pulling the strings in midfield, the pace and guile of Michael Owen and Karl Heinz Riedle up front, and the Kop singing its praises, Liverpool has a chance.

But Manchester United has proved itself a class apart this season.

Its Premiership form has been imperious and it has recently been installed as favorite to win the European Cup. Another chapter of which will unfold against Juventus on Wednesday night in Turin.

Manager Alex Ferguson can do no wrong at the moment. His decision to persist with Andy Cole has been rewarded with a stunning return to form by the former Newcastle United marksman.

The steely-eyed Scot has watched with immense pride as his crop of youngsters has reached maturity in the most demanding competition in the world; that David Beckham, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers and Nicky Butt now grace the international stage is the ultimate tribute to the man and his methods.

While not expected to fill the void left by Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham has recreated his England role at Old Trafford; playing behind the front two, the value of the man is his late, unmarked arrival in the penalty area.

Frenetic draw

The inconsistency of Liverpool allied to the pace and attacking options that United possess suggests a victory for the men from Manchester. The emotion and intensity of such meetings, however, is likely to produce a frenetic scoring draw.

If United presents the ultimate test for Liverpool manager Roy Evans, then the same can be said for the visit of second place Chelsea to Tottenham where new coach, Christian Gross, samples his first London derby.

The pressure, with Spurs languishing third from bottom, will be intense. A situation that Gross appeared to relish last weekend as his side won away for the first time this season with goals from Ramon Vega and David Ginola at Everton.

The arrival of Ruud Gullit's multitalented Chelsea team presents a far greater challenge, however, than an Everton side low on confidence. Indeed, the omens point to a difficult afternoon for the home defense as they attempt to come to terms with the flair and invention of the likes of Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Di Matteo and Dan Petrescu.

Humbled at Old Trafford last week, third-placed Blackburn Rovers has an early chance to get its title challenge back on course with the visit of neighbor Bolton Wanderers.

Caution should be advised, however, as Bolton arrives having collected maximum points from its last two outings, with Nathan Blake hitting the winners against both Wimbledon and Newcastle.

There was more encouraging news, too, for Leeds United in mid- week as manager George Graham announced his long-term commitment to the club by signing a new contract believed to be worth around US$1.5 million a year.

The contract, due reward for taking Leeds into fourth place, makes Graham one of the highest paid managers in the Premiership and ends speculation about a move to Glasgow Rangers at the end of the season. Leeds entertains bottom of the table Everton tomorrow.

Under-achievers

In a match that not too long ago would have been the pick of the round, Newcastle and Arsenal meet in a game now dubbed the battle of the underachievers. One time Premiership leader Arsenal has dropped to fifth and shows little sign of arresting the decline.

The fall has much to do with the loss of form of Ian Wright. In the six games since he last found the net, Arsenal has picked up just five points out of 18. Indeed, he never looked like scoring against Liverpool last week as Arsenal ran out of ideas long before the final whistle.

The chill environs of St James' Park is hardly the place for an out of form striker as Newcastle no longer present opposition forwards with the chances so prevalent during the Keegan era.

With defenses set to dominate, this has all the makings of a goalless draw.

In contrast, the game between Derby County and West Ham United offers the likelihood of a veritable avalanche of goals. A fitting analogy given the snowfalls around England this week. The attacking philosophy of both managers should warm the near- capacity crowd at Pride Park.

Elsewhere, Coventry could earn a point at Aston Villa as the home side eyes next week's UEFA Cup tie with Steaua Bucharest; Crystal Palace takes its impressive away form to sixth placed Leicester City; the Sunday match sees struggling Southampton visit Wimbledon; while on Monday, Sheffield Wednesday looks set to continue its rise to safety at the expense of luckless Barnsley.