Topic: It's just a battle for the order of the first 4 spots now between 5 teams...

[redmark]

The sooner spurs are out of the picture the better.

They play Chelsea and Arsenal in their next four league games. Just like Arsenal, they can do us a favour hanging around for a bit longer.

[TSC]

They play Chelsea and Arsenal in their next four league games. Just like Arsenal, they can do us a favour hanging around for a bit longer.

You'd want them to fold to some extent as apparently they've a relatively easier run in (last 4-6 games) than any other team.  This was in one of the papers this morning though and I wasn't that interested in Spurs to check accuracy out but I assume it's true(ish)

[Cadno]

You'd want them to fold to some extent as apparently they've a relatively easier run in (last 4-6 games) than any other team.  This was in one of the papers this morning though and I wasn't that interested in Spurs to check accuracy out but I assume it's true(ish)

The best Spurs can do is second behind us so no worries

[SerbianScouser]

The game against Spurs at Anfield is going to be a big one, hopefully we can smash them and dent their confidence because they're flying at the moment

City demolished them and unfortunately didnt dent their confidence at all.

[Spraynard Kruger]

The thing about Spurs is that the closer we are to the top 3 the closer they are to them too - if they keep winning. Which means if we keep winning and gaining ground on the top 3, those 3 teams need to worry about Spurs just as much as we do. So, it isn't just a case of Spurs trying to catch us.

This is all under the notion that Spurs keep winning of course.

We just need to take care of our business.

Which, crazy enough, would technically make them title contenders. It's almost cliche to say it will be Arsenal if anybody that falls from title race to a struggle for top four, but frankly it's set up that way again.

Arsenal in particular have a real problem with their lack of ability to pick up points against the top of the table, and they really missed an opportunity yesterday to prove our big victory over them was a one-off in the title race. They've played City away, Chelsea home, us twice, Spurs home, United twice, Everton at home. They've taken 9 of a possible 24 points there. The only victories came against us and Spurs at the Emirates. Just like Spurs, their March-to-April period is going to be an enormous test. First of March they're at Stoke, they'll get Swansea at Emirates which should be a win, but then it's the 2nd leg of in Munich 3 days later, at Spurs, at Chelsea, Man City at home, at Everton.

The pessimistic Arsenal fan's nightmare could be coming true. Yet another collapse, where aspirations of winning the title are taken and the best they hope for is getting top four over their North London rivals.

[GregCharrua]

Moyes goes on about luck but spurs have been taking lady luck up the arse since dimmy took the reigns. At some point she'll close her legs again and spurs will disintegrate. Surely.

[cowtownred]

They play Chelsea and Arsenal in their next four league games. Just like Arsenal, they can do us a favour hanging around for a bit longer.

Again,  very good point.  2 draws there, we're laughing.

Then it puts the whole issue fairly and squarely in our hands....  which is all you can ever ask. 

And that would, in all probability, that assuming all the sides are pretty much equal in their games v the bottom teams, if we can win the 3 homes v Spuds/City/Chelsea...........mean that.........

I've ordered my tickets for the last home game already.  Hoping to see a shiny trophy.

[Melbred]

To be honest we could do with Arsenal and Chelsea killing off Spurs for us in the next few games. That way, if we continue winning, we're still max 4-5 points off the top, with Spurs dead and buried, while we have 8 or so games to make up those points if we're so inclined.

The priority should be ensuring a top four spot.

[LFC when it suits]

To be honest we could do with Arsenal and Chelsea killing off Spurs for us in the next few games. That way, if we continue winning, we're still max 4-5 points off the top, with Spurs dead and buried, while we have 8 or so games to make up those points if we're so inclined.

The priority should be ensuring a top four spot.

No, the priority should be winning the league. We are Liverpool FC. Not Arsenal FC who exist to win the top 4 trophy every season. And how great will 4th be if Man Utd fluke the CL?

[Keita Success]

No, the priority should be winning the league. We are Liverpool FC. Not Arsenal FC who exist to win the top 4 trophy every season. And how great will 4th be if Man Utd fluke the CL?

As wonderful a that sounds, top 4 should be priority. however, the longer the players think they can win the league, the more likely we'll keep playing so well.

[beardsley4ever]

To be honest we could do with Arsenal and Chelsea killing off Spurs for us in the next few games. That way, if we continue winning, we're still max 4-5 points off the top, with Spurs dead and buried, while we have 8 or so games to make up those points if we're so inclined.

The priority should be ensuring a top four spot.

Just keep winning our games, and the Spurs results won't matter.

It isn't a 2-way race for 4th.  It's a 5-way race for the top 4 spots.  All to play for.

[rickardinho1]

You'd want them to fold to some extent as apparently they've a relatively easier run in (last 4-6 games) than any other team.  This was in one of the papers this morning though and I wasn't that interested in Spurs to check accuracy out but I assume it's true(ish)

After Anfield Spurs have the following fixtures:

Sunderland H - been a lot better lately
West Brom A - good record at home against top sides
Fulham H - seem to have improved lately
Stoke A - only lost twice at home all season
West Ham A - tough away match
Villa H - better away from home than at home

Although none of them are against the top teams, they're all tough in their own right. All those teams will be fighting tooth and nail for every point so there will be points dropped by spurs no doubt. With their tough fixtures before then though we should be clear of them, but even if they beat the teams above us that would still be good results for us Arsenal should be the ones worried about spurs on current form, and also still have to go to WHL...

[Keita Success]

Draws the best result

It's odd, isn't it? It's so precariously perched.

There are two situations which we'd like from Spurs vs Arsenal and Chelsea vs Spurs:

1) Spurs get beaten in both games.

This means that we could bridge a 9 point gap to Spurs which would hopefully be unassailable. However, we still have tricky games to come and it could be argued that 9 points is still surmountable. Furthermore, it'd mean that both Arsenal and Chelsea maintain the point difference between us and them and the less games there are, the less likely we are to overtake them.
On the brighter side, that'd be a 9 point gap from Spurs. Assuming we win our 2  fixtures whilst Spurs are playing the Chelsea and Arsenal games, we still have Spurs to play and that could be 12 points clear alongside our superior goal difference.

2) Spurs draw both games

This means that the gap between both Chelsea and Arsenal would narrow. Even to the point where we overtake Arsenal. However, the gap between Spurs would only be 7 points, baring in mind their kinder fixtures, this doesn't seem like too much. In the case of Arsenal, we would overtake them, but I'd argue this would only be temporary. Arsenal can cruise after March and won't drop many points as they seem to beat the 'weaker' sides.

The worst case scenario is, of course, Spurs win both games. But surely we don't need to worry about that. Please? 

This is the most odd season in ages for Liverpool. It's at a point where we can threaten for the title, and still not get top-4. Bloody frightening.

[No Appreciation of Liverpool Opposition]

spurs have chelsea arsenal us.
Quite simply for me if we beat them, then the two other games are bonuses. If Spurs win against Arsenal great we have a chance to overtake Arsenal and let them fight it out with Spurs. If Spurs win against Chelsea great we can catch Chelsea when they come to us. If we tie at anfield, or god forbid lose, we need them to drop as many points as possible. As usual it comes down to us. We can win the title with almost no help at this point. We win 10 of 12 and we'll probably get it. Doublely so for fourth. If we beat Spurs we'll need about 6 wins to secure fourth from 11 games. Thats not hard. In short if we want to be in the champions league we have to finish up like we want it. If we want to challenge for the title then play like fucking title contenders. After this weeks results everything is in our hands. Yea some help form a shity draw for the other teams here or there makes it easier. However there's no realistic scenario where we beat the 3 top teams we have to play and don't make the champions league. If we beat those 3 teams theres probably few scenarios we don't win the league.

[Mr_Shane]

... and then Everton will  go and throw a spanner in the works by beating chelsea at Stamford Bridge  and everyone will now get worried about Everton

[Pistolero]

I''ll take it one game at a time, and it wouldn't cost me a dime, you'll know it's me when I come through your town...

[Pistolero]

We are Liverpool FC.

 

[@indykaila]

Ramsey COULD had made big difference in next few months.   

[Wingman]

spurs have chelsea arsenal us.
Quite simply for me if we beat them, then the two other games are bonuses.

Quite simple - beat Spurs

.. and City, and Chelsea, and United and everyone else we're due to play. All this maths (fag packet or spreadsheet) and PPG stuff is really pointless. There's no point in targeting games to win/draw, tactics and personnel may change but, simply, we just need to try and win every time we get on the pitch.

Some of you are worrying about (and calculating) things you simply can't control. Just fucking enjoy it ..

[Pistolero]

Some of you are worrying about (and calculating) things you simply can't control. Just fucking enjoy it ..

eggfuckinzackly.

[Roady]

Quite simple - beat Spurs

.. and City, and Chelsea, and United and everyone else we're due to play. All this maths (fag packet or spreadsheet) and PPG stuff is really pointless. There's no point in targeting games to win/draw, tactics and personnel may change but, simply, we just need to try and win every time we get on the pitch.

Some of you are worrying about (and calculating) things you simply can't control. Just fucking enjoy it ..

is absolutely correct.it is pointless because it goes on the basis of current form,others form etc,not taking into account injuries and all the rest of it.Simply put lets win our games or do the best we possibly can and see where it leaves us

[redmark]

Again,  very good point.  2 draws there, we're laughing.

Exactly. I can't understand people wanting an outside rival for 4th to drop 6 points, rather than to drop 4 and take 2 each from Arsenal and Chelsea.

[sms1986]

We've got a great chance to win the league this season, and I know the players will be very aware of the fact. Something that would make the title just that little bit sweeter -

United went 26 years without winning the league between 1967 and 1993.
So far, we have only gone 24 years without winning the league.

 

[redmark]

Quite simple - beat Spurs

.. and City, and Chelsea, and United and everyone else we're due to play. All this maths (fag packet or spreadsheet) and PPG stuff is really pointless. There's no point in targeting games to win/draw, tactics and personnel may change but, simply, we just need to try and win every time we get on the pitch.

Some of you are worrying about (and calculating) things you simply can't control. Just fucking enjoy it ..

Enjoying it immensely, without worrying or calculating anything. Just discussing obvious examples where our rivals WILL drop points, because they're playing each other. Of course, one of them may take maximum points from such games and render title talk premature. That's ok. We are focused on winning one game at a time. What position we finish in isn't entirely with our control and, barring a dreadful collapse, this has been a very good season of progression already.

[Juliman]

Saw this on SkySports and thought it was very surprising.

[andyfm]

Saw this on SkySports and thought it was very surprising.

Dodgy Sky table. We should be top and City should be above Chelsea due to GD. Harrumph.

[The Jackal]

Saw this on SkySports and thought it was very surprising.

why have they got Arsenal above us? We have better GD (21 vs 20) should be top, no?

[PhaseOfPlay]

Alphabetical, surely?

[Miltonred]

The Spurs situation raises an interesting question.

The upcoming games they have against Arsenal and Chelsea, should they lose them both, will likely provided we do the business, push them far enough back that they will no longer be a realistic threat for climbing above us.

Conversely that will also mean that we stay out of the challenge for first place, as teams above us will win difficult games, that might have been banana skins.

So what is your preference, defeats to Spurs that nail us on for fourth, or wins for Spurs that keep them right at our heels but also give us a shot at first place? (The assumption being that there are then 5 teams in the title hunt and we could easily end of fifth if our run in hots some obstacles?)

Stick or twist?

[redmark]

The Spurs situation raises an interesting question.

The upcoming games they have against Arsenal and Chelsea, should they lose them both, will likely provided we do the business, push them far enough back that they will no longer be a realistic threat for climbing above us.

Conversely that will also mean that we stay out of the challenge for first place, as teams above us will win difficult games, that might have been banana skins.

So what is your preference, defeats to Spurs that nail us on for fourth, or wins for Spurs that keep them right at our heels but also give us a shot at first place? (The assumption being that there are then 5 teams in the title hunt and we could easily end of fifth if our run in hots some obstacles?)

Stick or twist?

Draws, that damage all rivals at the same time (and share 2 points, rather than 3).

[Miltonred]

Alphabetical, surely?

Maybe current league position for tied points.

[TSC]

The Spurs situation raises an interesting question.

The upcoming games they have against Arsenal and Chelsea, should they lose them both, will likely provided we do the business, push them far enough back that they will no longer be a realistic threat for climbing above us.

Conversely that will also mean that we stay out of the challenge for first place, as teams above us will win difficult games, that might have been banana skins.

So what is your preference, defeats to Spurs that nail us on for fourth, or wins for Spurs that keep them right at our heels but also give us a shot at first place? (The assumption being that there are then 5 teams in the title hunt and we could easily end of fifth if our run in hots some obstacles?)

Stick or twist?

Draws

[Keita Success]

The Spurs situation raises an interesting question.

The upcoming games they have against Arsenal and Chelsea, should they lose them both, will likely provided we do the business, push them far enough back that they will no longer be a realistic threat for climbing above us.

Conversely that will also mean that we stay out of the challenge for first place, as teams above us will win difficult games, that might have been banana skins.

So what is your preference, defeats to Spurs that nail us on for fourth, or wins for Spurs that keep them right at our heels but also give us a shot at first place? (The assumption being that there are then 5 teams in the title hunt and we could easily end of fifth if our run in hots some obstacles?)

Stick or twist?

Stick. Stick. Stick. Get the fucking stick and protect it by any means possible.

[Block G Raptor]

Maybe current league position for tied points.

would you go away with your perfect sense wrecking the sky bashing fun
 

[DanA]

Draws

Ding, Ding, Ding we have a winner. If both Arsenal and Chelsea draw against Tottenham then the league title is there to be taken (if we're good enough) but also top 4 is pretty much secured.

[cowtownred]

The Spurs situation raises an interesting question.

The upcoming games they have against Arsenal and Chelsea, should they lose them both, will likely provided we do the business, push them far enough back that they will no longer be a realistic threat for climbing above us.

Conversely that will also mean that we stay out of the challenge for first place, as teams above us will win difficult games, that might have been banana skins.

So what is your preference, defeats to Spurs that nail us on for fourth, or wins for Spurs that keep them right at our heels but also give us a shot at first place? (The assumption being that there are then 5 teams in the title hunt and we could easily end of fifth if our run in hots some obstacles?)

Stick or twist?

As redmark and TSC say, DRAWS for God's sake.

Whats not to gain??

Each of all our rivals drop 2 points, whether you think we're after top 4 or title winners, everyone loses except US.

Plus, it gives them some hope that they are in contention for their respective goals...  we don't want any of them to get fucked off when they can damage the rest.


DRAWS is how we can maximise our chances.

And furthermore, I want a draw between Chelsea and City this weekend.  And a few red cards, and (pardon me) injuries galore.  GALORE.  I'm a nasty unsportsmanlike man.  I wouldn't even flinch if the injuries were serious.  There, I said it.  Come on all you normal nice sportsmanlike people an tell me I'm naughty if I say I wish Aguero to have a setback in his recovery and be out for 3 more months.  Or if Cahill, Terry, Azpuiliceta, Ivanovic, Hazard, Willian, Oscar and Mourinho all get bird flu and are out for 3 months.


I don't give a fuck.

I just want all of Liverpools players and staff to be healthy, and win the double.

The other shitehawks can get to fuck, and I don't give a shit how that happens. 

[Black Bull Nova]

We should not be concerned about who is behind us but who is in front of us, Arsenal seem mentally shattered by the storm force gale they suffered from on saturday and I think Spurs may finish above them unless they get there heads straight. We just need to concentrate on our own game and let the others do the worrying.

[macca888]

As redmark and TSC say, DRAWS for God's sake.

Whats not to gain??

Each of all our rivals drop 2 points, whether you think we're after top 4 or title winners, everyone loses except US.

Plus, it gives them some hope that they are in contention for their respective goals...  we don't want any of them to get fucked off when they can damage the rest.


DRAWS is how we can maximise our chances.

And furthermore, I want a draw between Chelsea and City this weekend.  And a few red cards, and (pardon me) injuries galore.  GALORE.  I'm a nasty unsportsmanlike man.  I wouldn't even flinch if the injuries were serious.  There, I said it.  Come on all you normal nice sportsmanlike people an tell me I'm naughty if I say I wish Aguero to have a setback in his recovery and be out for 3 more months.  Or if Cahill, Terry, Azpuiliceta, Ivanovic, Hazard, Willian, Oscar and Mourinho all get bird flu and are out for 3 months.


I don't give a fuck.

I just want all of Liverpools players and staff to be healthy, and win the double.

The other shitehawks can get to fuck, and I don't give a shit how that happens. 

It would be lovely if they draw and all catch Legionnaires Disease getting a shower after the match at the Etihad wouldn't it Shaun? Or I've devised another scenario. I can't be arsed with all this "Oooh I don't like to see players getting injured and it's better if all the best players are on the pitch." Thumb sucking twats. I'd be happy enough with a goal mouth scramble and the bar collapses on Cech's twat hat, hits Negredo in his fucking Piltdown Man face, flips up and belts Yaya in the cock, he gets an involuntary erection which pierces Hazard's spleen and he falls over and head butts Oscar in the kidneys. Meanwhile, over at the Emirates, Luis takes a free kick right in Ozil's goggle eyes face detaching a retina or two and in his blurred vision state, he accidentally falls on Wilshere with a semi on, rupturing his sphincter. In the ensuing shitting on the pitch, Mertesacker skids right into the back of that fucking pudgy spud faced twat Cazorla, and both of them catch Wiel's Disease while little Raheem slots one into an empty net. Carlsberg don't cause injuries, but if they did....

I don't believe in God anyway, but if he was real, you all know I'd be burning in hell for a lot more than that anyway.

[Spraynard Kruger]

: : :

Oh christ.

[elpistolero7]

It would be lovely if they draw and all catch Legionnaires Disease getting a shower after the match at the Etihad wouldn't it Shaun? Or I've devised another scenario. I can't be arsed with all this "Oooh I don't like to see players getting injured and it's better if all the best players are on the pitch." Thumb sucking twats. I'd be happy enough with a goal mouth scramble and the bar collapses on Cech's twat hat, hits Negredo in his fucking Piltdown Man face, flips up and belts Yaya in the cock, he gets an involuntary erection which pierces Hazard's spleen and he falls over and head butts Oscar in the kidneys. Meanwhile, over at the Emirates, Luis takes a free kick right in Ozil's goggle eyes face detaching a retina or two and in his blurred vision state, he accidentally falls on Wilshere with a semi on, rupturing his sphincter. In the ensuing shitting on the pitch, Mertesacker skids right into the back of that fucking pudgy spud faced twat Cazorla, and both of them catch Wiel's Disease while little Raheem slots one into an empty net. Carlsberg don't cause injuries, but if they did....

I don't believe in God anyway, but if he was real, you all know I'd be burning in hell for a lot more than that anyway.

Best post in the history of time.