Liverpool’s ability to resurrect a campaign that is in danger of collapsing around them goes under the microscope when Manchester City visit Anfield today.
The pick of this weekend’s Premier League encounters will provide a significant gauge of Rafael Benitez’s side’s prospects of hauling themselves back into the top four and ensuring they avoid the financially grave consequences of missing out on next season’s Champions League.
Leaders Chelsea will expect to consolidate the advantage they gained with a controversial win over Manchester United before the international break by accounting for struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.
United, who now trail their London rivals by five points, have a tougher-looking assignment at home to Everton, while Arsenal will be without leading goalscorer Robin van Persie for their trip to Sunderland.
Newly-rich City are — along with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa — one of the teams threatening to deny Liverpool their customary place at European soccer’s top table and, after five league defeats already this season, Benitez’s men badly need to start acquiring some momentum.
The return of Steven Gerrard to the starting lineup should help, with the club captain having benefited from a two-week rest over the international break.
Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger also return from injury, but star striker Fernando Torres is ruled out by a calf injury and Benitez appears reluctant to risk £20 million (US$33 million) signing Alberto Aquilani.
The Italy midfielder has yet to start for his new club and is keen to put six months of injury frustration behind him.
The midfielder, bought to plug the gap created by Xabi Alonso’s departure for Real Madrid, looks set to be on the bench today, but Benitez is confident he will soon be proving his worth to Liverpool fans.
“You can see in everything he does that he has got quality,” the Spaniard said. “He knows when to pass at the right time and to the right players, he makes good decisions on the pitch.”
City, who have slipped out of the top four after drawing their last five league matches, will hope Robinho will be able to play some part at Anfield.
Manchester United will welcome Nemanja Vidic back for the meeting with Everton after he played for 70 minutes of Serbia’s 1-0 win over South Korea in midweek.
Everton have struggled so far this season, but Australian midfielder Tim Cahill is hoping for an improvement as an injury crisis that has sidelined more than half the club’s first-choice 11 begins to ease.
“We have lost out way a bit in the last few weeks, but now it’s all about getting our injured players back, getting our heads down and just working,” Cahill said.
Tottenham are the only club in the top four not in action today, with Wigan Athletic visiting White Hart Lane tomorrow.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp does not believe his side can realistically challenge for the title, but he sees no reason why they cannot cling on to their top four spot.
“Liverpool have it all to do and Manchester City, Aston Villa, ourselves and Everton are going to be pushing to get into European places,” Redknapp said. “One of us could break in this year, but the champions will come from Manchester United or Chelsea.”
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