On the heels of a dramatic win against Manchester City, Liverpool will enter this weekend with a bit more confidence and security with their top spot.  With their only deterrent in goal differential against the giants, Chelsea, matches versus Wigan Athletic at home that should be the springboard to saltier defeats.  The same could be said about the shocking draw against Stoke City at home, a goalless, frustrating battle for dominance which should have been much more.  Crazed supporters such as myself will continue to complain about the unfair and clearly mistaken offsides call against Dirk Kuyt in Steven Gerrard's free kick (which would've been his 100th goal for Liverpool).  Still, a 1-0 win will not be enough to stop the momentum of the Blues.  In that case, it would've put Liverpool in first.  I try not to think about that.

The important thing to remember, and this is especially true for a Liverpool supporter, is that every team in the English Premier League has bad days.  They all suffer from bad calls, or find a rival that is plainly difficult to beat.  One example would be the difficulty Chelsea has against Tottenham Hotspur.  Even occupying 20th place, they still can manage a draw against what most would say is the deserving team and speculative winner of the English Premier League this season.  Shall we recall Chelsea's defeat last year to the Spurs that cost them the Carling Cup?  I'd rather not.

The most important thing for me right now is to support Liverpool, regardless of how they perform.  What they have done lately is nothing short of antics that have created a drama and excitement in watching them play.  For anyone who wanted to switch off the Manchester City match after watching Martin Skrtel being taken off in a stretcher --surely, you were stunned by Fernando Torres' failed goal attempt that turned into a scorcher by Dirk Kuyt that proved to be one of the most exciting matches all season.  It's one we'll be talking about for a long time (well, some of us).

Being only 2 matches away from meeting Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge, I am a bit nervous about Liverpool's fate.  I realize that it is early in the season, but it is necessary to lay the groundwork before December.  I wouldn't say that at this point Liverpool could beat Chelsea.  They surely cannot beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.  However, unlike last year, I don't feel those tinges of anxiety approaching a high profile clash.  Liverpool did, after all, beat Manchester United this year.  Perhaps it shows that Liverpool is a better team (or Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench proves beneficial for all other teams involved).

I will say that I was frustrated by the scoring drought of Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane, which looks like it is finally over.  As much as I love Ian Rush, as I have an affection for most Welshmen, I would love to see our new Spanish Skipper earn the kind of accolades that turn him into a Liverpool legend.  When people ask me why I like Fernando Torres so much, and why I want him to beat so many records, I'm just not sure I have a clear answer for them.  I think some people cling to the past, and love the nostalgia of our old heroes.  They aren't ready to pass the torch to someone younger, or newer.  It's how some people pay their respects to an era.  Much like the difficulty of accepting Roger Maris "technically" beating Babe Ruth's homerun record, there will always be people who are looking back.

One of the biggest gripes I hear is about the enormous amount of cash spent on Robbie Keane for very few results.  The obvious question is why Liverpool would pay so much for a 28 year-old player.  Still, we must always remember, no matter who the team is and who the player is, you never know what the dynamic will be like until it happens.  Relationships on the pitch have to be developed.  They are not automatic in any way.  Some are a bit smoother than others, but if you've noticed the kissing and other interesting displays of affection during celebrations, Keane and Torres seem to be getting on quite well.

I will leave everyone with an image that has been burned into my mind.  Robbie Keane scored his first goal for Liverpool.  To celebrate, he ran, did a cartwheel into a forward roll, some impromptu karate chops --then settling on the fists for a bold finish.  I hope he tones down the celebrations in the future.  At 28, he is practically over the hill, and we wouldn't want him to pull something.

I feel extremely lucky to be able to spend the amount of time I do talking about the glorious sport of "proper football."  With the EPL over, and my team left scrambling for a spot in the UEFA Champions League next year, I was blessed with all sorts of remarkable curse words to express my feelings.

I have been biting my tongue about Manchester United for a long time, searching for the most dignified way to show my frustration.  I wouldn't say that I hate the team, but I will say that I will be happy to see Cristiano Ronaldo go (if that's what he decides).  Consider him a caterpillar who has turned into a beautiful butterfly.  Set him free to take in the Spanish air.  Allow him to grow in a place where fancy footwork is common and expected.  Just as I wrote that, I got an image in my head of Joe Cole's half-hearted attempts of pretty football, and how the joy of watching it is only compounded by his obsession with hiked-up shorts.

I would also like to see some misfortunes for Arsenal.  Basically, I'd like to see every other team in a worse place than Liverpool.  I want to see Liverpool finally take Manchester United.  Man. U. have that ever-so-swarthy Tevez character I hate so much, after all.

Enough about the negatives, because it's time to focus on a new season.  I'm ready to start fresh and put the past behind me.  In the meanwhile, I have been soaking up other football-related guilty pleasures.

The Euro Cup 2008 proved to be an emotional experience this year, with underdogs, Spain, proving to the world that they're no longer taking a siesta on the pitch.  Because of my unabashed obsession with Fernando Torres, I followed them to the end of the line.  While waiting to catch the Metro after the L.A. Galaxy v. DC United match, I got into an argument with an Englishman.  He said,
"What's the point of even watching the final?  You know Germany is going to win, anyway.  Fernando Torres won't score for Spain."
I openly disagreed.

If Germany were to be the favorites going into the final, people should have taken a second look at their showing against Turkey.  Spain was surely a better team, and Germany showed serious weaknesses in their defense.  I love Phillip Lahm in the BundesLiga, but he dropped the ball, so to speak.  His redemption in that match rivaled something dreamed up by Frank Capra.  It was an emotional moment for me, but I'm a girl with feeling watching this.  I cry when I see people who gave it their all and lose.

You have to love the German attitude towards losing, though.  Every time, they say something to the effect of: "We could've beaten them.  We're a better team if it weren't for ________ (insert random excuse)."  In a lot of ways, they're absolutely right.  So, at the end of the day, why do people call Spain the underachievers?  Germany has a team full of players I'd love to see in the EPL.  I'd love to see Bastian Schweinsteiger in the Liverpool midfield.  He's aggressive, unrelenting and dangerous to defenders.  Lukas Podolski would be a joy in the EPL as well, because he's being treated like an unappreciated, bored housewife at Bayern Munich.  Perhaps it's time to show him a little coin.

Overall, I'm happy with the end result of the Euro.  I'm ready to plan my trip to Liverpool this year.  I'm ready to see Liverpool start over and win.  With the first match away at Sunderland, the chances of that are au####ious.  I've been reading a lot about the possibilities of transfers.  I read about Robbie Keane, and now Gareth Barry.  I'm interested in seeing what Rafa Benitez cooks up.  His midfield is strong, but needs some dangerous players.  I saw that Rafa was "allegedly" eyeing David Bentley of Blackburn.  However, if there ever was a Blackburn Rover to covet, I set my sights on Santa Cruz.

On Sunday, when I sat down to watch the Reds play Man. City, I thought, "All right, they tied, that's okay."  It was all I could tell myself to avoid the inevitable sinking feeling that yet again, no Premiership for Liverpool.  Winning that match was crucial, and I will say that the odds were against them considering Man. City's home game record.  I would even go so far as to say that I loved watching Man. City.  However, with all this happening, I can't help but ask if this is only a temporary problem for Liverpool, or are they just plain over?

Earlier this season, I recall the frustration of draw after draw.  These matches were against teams we should've beaten.  Sure, Liverpool was undefeated, but there's a difference between holding a line, and pushing forward.  I liken it to the difference between the Western Front in World War I, and storming the beaches of Normandy in World War II.  You're just going to keep losing points if you're not in the mindset to attack, and you've already set yourself up to expect winning without doing much to secure it.  When Liverpool seems to have a strategy to win, they become one of the most exciting teams to watch.  Think of the second match against Besiktas in the Champions League.

In the EPL, you don't need to have the most expensive, fancy players (but they help).  What is necessary is a strategy to break another team down.  Every team has their weaknesses.  The trick is to figure them out, and attack them relentlessly.  What rotation does for Liverpool is make it difficult for other managers to assess the weaknesses.  While it may be said that Liverpool is lacking central defense, the next week, you'll see Jamie Carragher in that position.  The problem is that he can't be the only go-to guy for the defensive line.

Even signing more defensive players does not change what's happening in the midfield and with the strikers.  I would love to see Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres start up front as strikers.  Babel was a striker in his former team, and he's hungry for it.  He doesn't have the ego not to pass the ball when he can't make the shot.  He's aggressive and fast, like Torres.  It's a brilliant idea to form a front line of your newly signed young players.  It could open the doors to a legacy.

Meanwhile, in the midfield, you have Xabi Alonso's laser-guided long passes, Yossi Benayoun's speed and agility, and Steven Gerrard's direction.  I can't include Mascherano in this, because it's difficult to tell where he will be.  The point is that when you see Liverpool when they're tuned in and attacking, there's nothing more exciting.  However, more recently, they've been tuned out and missing the spark that was there just a few weeks before.

It's just so inconsistent.  To expect that they'll bounce back seems to be a fruitless wish, as they are basically too far behind to rebound.  Even if they start winning matches, they're still in a slump because they lost their chances to secure the title.  A few weeks ago, I remember Hyypia commenting that the Reds are still in it.  They were, when Manchester United lost, Chelsea tied, and Arsenal tied.  But as surely as they're back to their drawing ways, that last glimmering moment slipped through their fingers and fell on the Man. City pitch.

Even if you were a more positive person than me, the chances were trampled on Anfield.  Wigan?  A tie?  Are you kidding me?

    One of my favorite things to do is get together with friends, and decide the changes we would make to our teams.  I had no idea what Liverpool could do to prevent some of the central defense problems they're having until today.  While watching the match against Manchester City, it was as if the world behind me and around me disappeared.  I realized that Liverpool needs Richard Dunne.

    While it's understood that Manchester City would never think of letting go of such an asset to their team, he's a dream player.  I'm one of the few people I know who has a real respect for defensive players.  Jamie Carragher sparks the interest, but he needs someone who can take a little off his shoulders.  I watch him yelling in the back, and most of it seems to be out of the feeling that he needs to do everything himself.  He needs another deliberate, self-motivated defender on his back line to keep things in check.  This will also prevent the early heart attack that seems to be coming on.

    Daniel Agger's return is simply taking too long, and Rafa is faced with a crisis in his back line if he doesn't make any moves in the January window.  I'm just sold on Dunne.  If we could dip into another league, I'd go for Real Madrid's Fabio Cannavaro (who is rumored to be finished with La Liga), or Philipp Lahm from Bayern Munich.  Both would be incredible defenders who have the same sheppard-like mentality.  They rally troops and lead them into battle.  It's a pleasure to watch.

    Some other players that really excite me are Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov, Chelsea's Michael Ballack now that he's fit, Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz.  The list goes on, but I think these are an ecclectic bunch.  I believe Berbatov could flourish under the right conditions.  He manages breathtaking goals that seem to come out of nowhere.  He's the guy who gets the shots that never seem to look like they're going in.  That's an exciting asset to any team --if only for someone who loves to watch.  Michael Ballack is such an obvious force.  His skill at free kicks and winning headers could take some pressure off Steven Gerrard.  Still, he's not affordable at this point.  Roque Santa Cruz has so much to offer, but he needs a better team to work with.  Blackburn is surprisingly strong, but they're not creative enough to let Santa Cruz really take off.  He's budding there, and he has to be thinking of leaving at some point.  He can be a hero at Blackburn, sure, but he can achieve much more as a player in a more skilled team.

    At this point, you can rule out Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo going anywhere.  Part of me silently (until now), wishes some strings could be pulled to get them sent to teams in the Spanish League.  I then realize that we need world class players like this in the Premier League.  Even though they beat up on my beloved Liverpool, no one ever becomes better at anything by consistently playing inferior teams.  Even in my dreams, though, I wouldn't want them.  I'm ready to find players who are "sleepers."  You know, they look as if they don't have what it takes to win, but all you have to do is challenge them.  Besides, Liverpool could use a little more street cred.

   

    I realize that the title of this blog could conjure up belly laughs from fans of the "other Top Four," but I still strongly believe that Liverpool is still in the title race.  I have several reasons for this: (a) the ever-changing EPL table, (b) the positive effects of Rafa Benitez's rotation policy, and (c) the return of key players after injury.

    The EPL table has changed so much this season.  Early in the season, and I remember this moment with great joy, Liverpool held the top spot for a week.  It was after they annihilated Derby 6-0 at Anfield.  I said to myself, "If we can just keep this up."  What a wonderful thing to be so naive about the EPL.  Those fleeting moments that allowed me to wave my finger in the faces of Manchester United fans are worth the embarrassment that followed.  After all, Manchester United was near the bottom at that time.  It was wonderful.  It was temporary.  Arsenal quietly crept up, forcing us all to say, "Thierry who?"  As much as I don't want to see them win, I still can't help but to be amazed watching a team that most people thought would sink losing a key player, continue to dominate the top spot.  Still, untouchable teams like Manchester United can lose to Bolton and West Ham.  Imagine the look on my face when Liverpool lost to Reading.  I believe I was sent into a Carlsberg-induced downward spiral.  This is what I've heard from eye-witness accounts.

    Even last week, I watched the commentary shows continue to say that Liverpool was done.  Then, what I love about the EPL happened on Boxing Day and today.  First, Arsenal tied, Chelsea tied, and then Manchester United lost!  All of those things I spend so much time devising started happening.  The "ok, if Arsenal loses this many matches, Manchester United ties, if Liverpool wins the next one..."  --they're coming true!  There's no reason to lose faith yet.  This season has been a pleasure to watch in its inconsistency.  It only goes to show the depth of the Premier League.  Although the "Top Four" still find themselves in place by the new year, there are other teams creeping up.  It makes every match exciting.

    Much like the inconsistency of the league table is exciting, so is the rotating Liverpool team.  The second half of the season will be far more interesting to watch because of Rafa Benitez's constant study of the game.  He breaks teams down, looks at their strengths and weaknesses.  It's such a scientific and psychological approach.  I think he's brilliant in his method and involvement.  While many fans are frustrated when they see our beloved Crouchie warming up the bench, it's all about the big picture.  I liken it to a delayed pleasure.  You can throw your A-team out there every week and run them down like race horses, or you can develop a multi-faceted team, and study the interactions between players.  We slowly watch as chemistries emerge from brilliant moments on the pitch.  In the long run, this is only a good thing for Liverpool.  As we've seen with other teams, when they lose their key players, they suffer.  Look at what Ronaldo's suspensions do to Manchester United.  Arsenal as a team limped through the injuries of Fabregas and Van Persie.  Meanwhile, Liverpool could lose Gerrard and Alonso in the midfield, and still win matches.  They lost Torres, and still marched on with the same fury.

    This brings me to my final point, which is the return of injured players to the match rosters.  Daniel Agger is almost fit, Alonso is back, and Torres is in top shape.  This just adds to the pool of players that Rafa has on demand for each match.

    Overall, now is not yet the time to predict who will win the EPL.  In the coming weeks, a winner could pull ahead.  As far as I'm concerned, at this moment, it's still up in the air.  The EPL is full of amazing teams that are a pleasure to watch.  Even Aston Villa has been exciting, and I never thought I'd say that.  So, while I make my arguments, please understand that I'm realistic.  I'm not saying that Liverpool WILL win, but rather that they CAN win, and why.

    Above all, they better beat Manchester City tomorrow, or it's no dice.