Any excuse to post this again.
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This year at Fulham had shades of the 2009 game too, a seminal moment in this season for us.
Love it, absolutely love it. We had beaten United 4-1 and Villa 5-0 in the two previous league games, however that was the game where I truly believed it was possible.
Parallels with 08/09 will always be drawn. Not least because the seasons panned out in a very similar fashion.
The first few months we grinded out results without really kicking into gear. The mid point was tricky (although this season was December, 08/09 was January). Can we replicate that run in though at the end of the season? That is the challenge for this Liverpool side.
If we can achieve 9 wins and a draw in our final 10 games, then we have one hell of a chance of winning the league. That was a dream once just 5 years ago. Can we dream again?
In my view, that squad was not too dissimilar to the one we have today. Two very key players in Torres and Gerrard got the goals (Suarez & Sturridge). Benayoun (Coutinho) and Kuyt (Sterling) have got a goal in them at key times in key games. There is no doubt that squad was much more experienced though. They had the Champions League and big game experience, many of them winning a number of Cups in their time with Liverpool (including the big one in 2005).
The remaining 10 games were evenly split home & away, the same as this season. Our form at home was very good in 08/09 with our away form indifferent (although we did have some cracking away performances).
What is different though? Well, the gap in 08/09 (with 10 to go) was 7 points and United had a game in hand. We were level with Chelsea on the same games played. The fixture list is was very different too. We had played all of our "rivals" (Chelsea & United) home and away. By the time Arsenal came to Anfield they were 9 points behind us (and 1st place) with 5 to go. That is a tough turn around.
This season, we have to play two of our rivals for the title. Just let that sink in. I am saying, you are feeling, we are in this title race.
You could see this one of two ways, depending on which side you sit. Playing our rivals at home is the chance to close that gap. Just imagine being 4/5 points behind City and Chelsea when they come to Anfield? IF we win, that gap closes to 1 or 2 points. And after Chelsea, there are just two games to play. Anything could happen.
Or, they are two very tough games and must wins. Anything less than 3 points in BOTH those games, will need a major slip up from them. A slight slip, maybe. A capitulation dropping points in 3 or 4 games? Unlikely.
Another difference is the teams. I always say we should have won the league that season. The only reason we didn't, was because they were THAT good. Once they got over the hangover from the Old Trafford defeat to us (followed by a defeat to Fulham), their form was faultless. Those game in hands turned into wins and what looked like a gap we could close, quickly faded. They wrapped up the title with 7 wins from 7 and only dropped points once the title was sealed.
Are City and Chelsea capable of that kind of run? City are in a similar situation in that they have games in hand. What they do not have is the big lead (at the moment) and points in the bag is what matters at the end of the day. Chelsea have won 5 on the bounce this season. City have managed 8. We have done 4, which is the run we are on at the moment.
Making that 5 at Old Trafford is a huge task. Despite their season, they will be a wounded animal. The likes of Rooney, Van Persie, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Giggs. These are experienced players who know what playing Liverpool means to Manchester United. Even with Moyes in the hot seat it will be no push over.
A week before then, Chelsea play Tottenham at Stamford bridge. Spurs are still hunting that 4th place and the gap is just 4 points. They can turn that into 1 point (as City do not play) IF they can beat Chelsea. What bigger incentive do they need for their season? I do not see them winning, they CAN take points off Chelsea though.
The following weekend, again before we play, City go to Hull at 12:45. You would think a banker for City, especially if they want to win the title. Chelsea go to Villa for the 5:30pm kick off. What a long day that could be for us watching!
I've played out every scenario in my head and I know which one I like best. Seeing us win the title in May is a dream, one I'd love to come true (obviously). I can not put myself in Anfield seeing Gerrard lifting that trophy just yet though. That is too much.
What I can do, is see us with City and Chelsea coming to Anfield and we are in it. We are in the race. Then, come what May, maybe I will imagine that magical moment.
So why am I saying all this? Am I getting ahead of myself? Will the bubble be burst in 2 weeks?
5 years ago, my bubble never burst until United had that title wrapped up. Even after the Arsenal 4-4 (which was crazy), I still had belief. I still dreamed.
What ever happens between now and the end of the season, what a season it has been. Our best Premier League points tally after 28 games. Our highest goals scored after 28 games (and the highest in the league ever). Destroying Arsenal, Everton, Spurs away. And it isn't over yet.
