Liverpool, United clash in crucial Premiership
By Vic Mills
LONDON (JP): All roads lead to Anfield today for the crucial Premiership clash between Liverpool and Manchester United. With due respect to Arsenal's championship ambitions, anything but a win for the Merseyside club would hand United a fourth title in five years.
In a damage limitation exercise last weekend following poor results in Europe, United coasted home against Blackburn Rovers, while Liverpool's win at Sunderland was due to more to the incompetence of the home team than any deeds of its own.
After a 1-1 draw in midweek at Everton, Liverpool now stands second, two points behind United but having played a game more. The match ended on a unpleasant note with Robbie Fowler and David Unsworth sent off for fighting. Available for today, the likelihood is that Fowler will miss the last three games through suspension.
On its day, Liverpool is a match for anyone; such days, however, have been a few and far between since the new year. No one player is to blame as all at one time or another have fallen foul of inconsistency.
The Fowler-Collymore strike force has failed to recreate the goals or understandings so evident last season, while Czech international Patrick Berger has disappointed after a bright star to his Anfield career.
The picture is no better in midfield where despite the likes of Jamie Redknapp and John Barnes, Liverpool has become too reliant on Steve McManaman for its creativity.
The latest crisis of confidence is in goal where David James has made some spectacular blunders of late. The effect of which was obvious against Sunderland where the defense panicked when under the slightest pressure.
Not without his own worries, United manager Alex Ferguson has spent the past week complaining about fixture congestion that will force his players to conclude its defense of the championship with four games in nine days.
A situation not helped by an in jury list that includes Peter Schmeichel, Dennis Irwin, David May and Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, rested against Blackburn, should return against Liverpool. The fate of the others will depend upon balancing Premiership demands against those of the European Cup with United due to play its semi-final second leg next week.
SCTV will show live the match between Liverpool and Manchester United at 5 p.m. today.
The return and recent performances of Andy Cole remain a huge bonus to Ferguson at this crucial stage of the season. A fringe player for much of his time at Old Trafford, Cole is finally showing the form that warranted a US$10 million transfer fee.
A rejuvenated Andy Cole is not good news for an already nervous Liverpool defense. Add the combined attacking talents of Ole Solskjaer and Eric Cantona, reinforce it with Roy Keane and Nicky Butt sniping from midfield and United could well leave Anfield with one hand on the championship trophy.
This is not to dismiss the challenge from North London where Arsenal will contest the title race until the last kick of the season. However, three points behind having played a game more, their destiny is in the hands of others.
In light of the radical changes made by manager Arsene Wenger, the season, if anything, is ending too soon for Arsenal. No longer shackled by defense thinking and sterile tactics, Wenger has encouraged his defenders to go forward.
Against Leicester City last weekend, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn created havoc down the flanks, Steve Bould ran at the opposition midfield and centerback Tony Adams headed Arsenal into the lead from open play. Rarely has an Arsenal side played with such freedom and fluidity.
While some way short of the concept of total football as advocated by the Dutch in the early 1970s, it is easy to see why Dennis Bergkamp is reveling in the new found freedom of Highbury. A freedom that should account for Blackburn Rovers today.
There is change afoot too at Newcastle where manager Kenny Dalglish has embarked upon a path of sacrifice in order to gain success. With David Batty and Alan Shearer at the heart of a rigid 4-4-2 formation, Newcastle is fast taking on the appearance of Dalglish's title winning and deeply unloved Blackburn Rovers side.
With Faustino Asprilla and David Ginola likely to depart this summer, their going will signal an end to the Keegan era, its thrilling brand of football consigned to history as an expensive failure.
Having taken a decisive step towards a place in Europe with a 3-1 midweek victory over Chelsea, albeit at the cost of a knee injury to Les Ferdinand, Newcastle should again triumph at home to Derby County today.
With just three weeks of the regular season left, the competition for UEFA Cup places is as intense as ever. Aston Villa look set to strengthen its chances with victory over under- achieving Tottenham Hotspur; Sheffield Wednesday face a Wimbledon side who put its Cup misery behind them with a 2-0 midweek win over Leeds; while F.A. Cup favorites Chelsea play host to Coca- Cola Cup winner's Leicester City.
At the opposite end of the table, whatever nerves remain among the Middlesbrough faithful will again be stretched to breaking point as near neighbors Sunderland visit the Riverside Stadium.
SCTV will also air the match between Middlesbrough and Sunderland at 9 p.m. today.
Manager Bryan Robson faces an immense task to lift his players following its 1-0 Cup defeat to Leicester City. Having been forced into extra time on three occasions in recent weeks, Boro will have to dig deep in its fight for Premiership survival.
On other relegation clashes this weekend, bottom club Nottingham Forest take on Leeds United; at the Dell, Southampton and Coventry City clash in a game that neither dare lose; while John Hartson and Duncan Ferguson go head-to-head at Upton Park where West Ham United meet Everton.
Fixtures
Today (10:15 GMT): Liverpool v Manchester United
Today (13:00 GMT): Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea v Leicester City, Middlesbrough v Sunderland, Newcastle v Derby County, Nottingham Forest v Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday v Wimbledon, Southampton v Coventry City, West Ham v Everton.