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Reds revival threat to United
21/03/2008 08:54 - (SA)
London - Liverpool may be out of contention for the Premier League trophy but Rafael Benitez's side could still have a major say in the outcome of the title battle on what could be a decisive Easter weekend.
Having watched his men hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks, Benitez will travel to Old Trafford on Sunday confident they can finally claim the league win over Manchester United that has eluded the Reds in seven previous attempts since their Spanish manager's arrival at Anfield in 2004.
With Chelsea entertaining Arsenal on the same day, such an outcome could have major repercussions for United, who start the weekend as favourites to retain the title after opening up a three-point advantage over the Gunners and five clear of Chelsea.
Liverpool have put together a run of seven straight wins, largely thanks to the sharper cutting edge they have displayed since Steven Gerrard was switched to an attacking role on the heels of Fernando Torres.
Torres has plundered 27 goals already this season while Gerrard needs one more to hit the 20 mark for only the second time in his career.
"The understanding between players is always important, especially players up front," Benitez admitted. "The partnership between Torres and Gerrard has made a massive difference, it is difficult for teams to stop them both. We are profiting from this."
Impressive
Liverpool have also looked more solid defensively of late with Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso both operating as holding players in midfield, but any defensive system is bound to be strained under the pressure generated by a United attack spearheaded by the apparently unstoppable Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese winger took his haul for the season to 33 goals with his double in the midweek win over Bolton.
Perhaps with one eye on the refereeing of Sunday's game, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has described that achievement as particularly impressive in light of the number of times opponents foul the Portuguese winger.
"The fouls are frustrating, especially for Ronaldo, and I have nothing but admiration for the way he picks himself up and keeps running at people," Ferguson said.
"Time after time he is tackled unfairly and often opponents try to indicate that he has dived.
"Of course, when Ronaldo is running at full speed sometimes it doesn't take much to knock him over but the truth is that too many opponents don't know how to tackle properly. And to disguise their shortcomings they accuse him of falling deliberately."
Arsenal have allowed United to seize the initiative in the title race by drawing their last four league matches.
'Experience'
But French left-back Gael Clichy insists the race remains wide open.
"We have had the experience of being on top and the pressure has been on," he said. "It is good to be top, it shows the quality is there - but it is not bad to be second or third. It will be an interesting end to the season and we hope we can come out in first place."
That theme was echoed by Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, who scored twice in the midweek 4-4 draw with Tottenham that has dented Avram Grant's side's chances of reclaiming the title.
"I'm sure there will be a lot of twists and turns in the title race," the England midfielder insisted. "We need to keep plugging away. Arsenal and Manchester United have to come to Stamford Bridge and they play each other as well.
"There are going to be lots of opportunities for us to close the gap. No-one should be written off, it's anyone's title."
At the other end of the table, this weekend could be just as significant with two huge relegation battles seeing Newcastle entertain Fulham and Birmingham visit Reading.
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Rugby
