Anfield Red

Steven Gerrard’s ‘v’-antics appears to be a bigger story than last night’s humbling loss to Wigan. And why not? I mean, it’s not like Liverpool lost a match to a club that defeated a ‘big four’ side for only the second time in their history. Oh, right. That should probably rate as the bigger story…

Whilst Gerrard continues to get heat for his two-fingered salute, Liverpool continue to give the same gesture to the supporters, showing zero urgency in what could be the most embarrassing loss this season next to the 2-0 away defeat to Pompey earlier in the year.

Quite honestly, the thought of this club joining the ranks of the top four once again seemed a bit premature given the up-and-down season they’ve endured. Just when you thought Rafa had things going in the right direction, the club turned a complete 180 and reverted to their old ways, playing with little heart and passion.

Barring a significant setback to this season (read: not making the Champions League next season), it looks like it could be all systems go for a new deal for midfielder Javier Mascherano.

ESPN is reporting that the club is ready to offer the Argentine a new contract to keep Barcelona at bay. We’ll see what happens, but we all know a deal like this would require funds, and funds these days tend to come from finishing high in the table and winning silverware – two things Liverpool have been struggling with this year.

Get out your rosary beads and start making your usual sacrifices to the football gods, because if you’re as mad about Liverpool football as I am, you know how maddening this week can be.

International friendlies. If there’s a football match many of us absolutely cannot stand to watch, it’s this one. Having to sit through a 90 minute match that has no bearing on the international stage is one thing; but having to sit through that very same match whilst also praying your star player makes it through unscathed is something is another thing.

Of course, Fernando Torres is the player we’re reference here, after Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque made a shock decision to call the Spanish striker up for Wednesday’s friendly against France.

Fat headed Sam Allardyce claimed the Anfield crowd influenced decisions from the ref in the tie between Liverpool and Blackburn at the weekend; yet he clearly forgot to mention this shove from Nzonzi.

Liverpool beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Anfield, with Fernando Torres and Stevie Gerrard getting the goals for Rafa’s side.

Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger both picked up injuries recently; and the club have now given updates as to where both defenders are at in their recovery.

Barring a drastic run of results for everyone at the top of the table, the 2009/10 season will be looked back on by Liverpool fans as a disaster. Come the end of the season, most fans will be saying “if only…” to a number of a scenarios as Liverpool push for 4th place, having challenged for the title last year.

Liverpool face Arsenal at the Emirates tonight, knowing a win could put us within just two points of 3rd place in the League; but who do you think should be in the starting line up?

It may have been obvious prior to Saturday’s emphatic derby victory over Everton, but now it’s really official: Liverpool are riding a wave of momentum not seen since last season’s dramatic run at Manchester United and the Premier League title.

And it couldn’t come at a better time.

Whilst it would be easy to bang on about the 10-man victory over our Merseyside rivals, Liverpool really do need to keep their wits about them as they move into what Rafa is calling the most crucial part of the season. As many of you know, Saturday’s match marked the tip of a three-headed monster of Premier League matches for the Reds.

Up next? Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday, followed by Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium in a fortnight. There’s no doubting these two matches could make or break Liverpool’s recent run of good fortunes.

Take at least four points from the next two league matches and we could be looking at a furious finish to what was strongly considered a wash of a season just a couple weeks ago. A defeat in either match, however, could lead to a loss of confidence at the wrong time.

Rafa Benitez has named his starting line up to face Everton at Anfield today; with N’Gog starting upfront in the absence of Torres.