With their comprehensive beating of Manchester United this weekend, I have heard from countless Liverpool fans in recent days regarding how the title race is now back on, their team is the best in Europe, etc. etc.

While they certainly LOOKED the part versus Manchester United - let's be realistic here.  Liverpool were as much ON their game as United were OFF of theirs.  Shocking performances in defence by Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra made United look not only ordinary, but VERY beatable.  Add to that the decision by Sir Alex Ferguson to have Anderson cover Steven Gerrard and it's pretty clear the manager made some poor decisions as well....Ji-Sung Park and Carlos Tevez starting just didn't make sense given the occasion.  Then again, I don't have a million trophies sitting in my trophy case so who the hell am I to judge, right?

I think one of the reasons Liverpool fans are so giddy the past two days is that they know the same truth that the rest of us do - they will screw this up again before United will.  Sitting four points up at the top - and 7pts if you factor in the game at hand - United have to lose as many games as they've lost all season to give Liverpool ANY kind of chance.

It won't happen.

And not because United are incapable of losing three games.  No, Liverpool will not win the title because they will drop more points in their last nine games to mediocre teams - as they have done all season.  And the chances of that happening are magnified TEN FOLD when you take either Torres or Gerrard out of the line-up.  Yes, I like Manchester United more than most of the other Premier League sides - but watching Torres and Gerrard at their best was simply magical.  I firmly believe Benitez when he says they'd be in a different position were EL NINO able to stay healthy.

Looking at Liverpool's finish - their toughest games will be at home (Villa, Arsenal, Tottenham) but the away games versus Fulham, Hull & West Ham have to be cause for concern.  Villa are a wounded animal right now and while we've been waiting for them to get back on track - Liverpool could provide the motivation O'Neill requires for his team.  Hull are not BACK, but they are playing better - and you can bet Gianfranco Zola will have West Ham ready.  And it is interesting to note that all three teams have already drawn Liverpool AT Anfield this season.

United don't have it so easy either - but the only teams to beat them this season are Liverpool and Arsenal.  They play Arsenal again May 16th - and a healthy Gunners could give United some problems - but that is the only true banana-skin left I think.  Tottenham and Villa could get draws - but beating United?  Long odds to be sure.

One thing will be interesting as we head into the last 9-rounds:  How will United respond to what happened this weekend?  We'll know when they play Fulham this weekend - and that might be the indicator of what lies ahead.