When going gets tough, Liverpool get shaky

Richard Jolly, English Football Correspondent

• Last Updated: October 16. 2009 9:31PM UAE / October 16. 2009 5:31PM GMT

Imitation has a habit of backfiring. It can be the sincerest form of flattery, but it can prove the surest way to slip up. Just ask Liverpool. For the best part of two decades, they have become wearily accustomed to advice to copy Manchester United.

When they do, however, such instructions have never resulted in toppling their Lancashire rivals from their lofty perch. Last season, for instance, Rafa Benitez’s team failed to overcome a succession of lower-ranked outfits. In contrast, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side struggled against their peers but were ruthless against lesser opposition, taking 70 points from a possible 72 against the Premier League’s bottom 12 teams.

Thus far, Liverpool have scored 20 goals in their five games against the sides occupying those lowly dozen positions. Rather than fearless winners, however, it has made them appear flat-track bullies. They have lost to each of the four finest teams they have faced this season: Tottenham, Aston Villa, Fiorentina and Chelsea. They have beaten the others, either dramatically or convincingly.

All of which is why today’s trip to Sunderland takes on such significance. Steve Bruce’s side lie eighth, separating the best and the rest. Their excellent home record – three wins from four games – and their commendable display in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford suggest they will present a stern examination of Liverpool’s credentials. This threatens to be the outstanding Black Cats side of the Premier League era, and Liverpool will have to be at their most impressive to beat them.

It is a challenge they will face without their two key players. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were declared non-starters yesterday for the Sunderland match, both with injuries suffered on international duty. Gerrard has a groin injury and Torres an abbuctor muscle problem. “Both Steven and Fernando still have some problems,” Benitez said. “They will need more time and won’t be available this weekend.”

Even before the news that they would be without Gerrard and Torres today, Liverpool were approaching a pivotal week in their season, which also includes a Champions League clash with Lyon and a meeting with Manchester United, with cracks in the spine of the side.

Jamie Carragher said: “As one of the top teams in the country, it hasn’t been good enough from Liverpool so far this season. I’ve got no problem with the criticism if it’s due, which it is now. We’ve become renowned over the last six years as one of the best-organised teams defensively anywhere in Europe.

“That’s why it’s been a bit of a shock to see us conceding so many goals. We haven’t performed well defensively, as a team and as a back four. That also applies to me individually.”

After his and Martin Skrtel’s problems against Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka 13 days ago, they face a more prolific pair today: Kenwyne Jones, who has struck five times, and Darren Bent, who has seven goals.

For a Liverpool defensive partnership whose sole Premier League clean sheet came against Burnley, this represents a test. Benitez claims to have detected an improvement in his central defensive duo. If others remain unconvinced, however, the errant centre-halves are entitled to complain about their level of protection.

It is a particularly pertinent issue today. Benitez’s preference for two anchor midfielders is well known. While Sunderland’s Trinidad and Tobago international Jones is also returning from a transatlantic trip, Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva have had to come back from South America after Wednesday’s World Cup qualifiers.

Even without the suspended Kieran Richardson, Sunderland have fewer concerns and have given a contract to the former Liverpool winger Boudewijn Zenden, who could make his debut today.

Benitez’s men began their campaign last season with a win at Sunderland, courtesy of Torres. It was 2002 when they last lost at the Stadium of Light, defeated by a rather less distinguished striker. The scorer of the decisive goal was Michael Procter, who was released by Wrexham in the summer. The winning manager was Howard Wilkinson. Wilkinson has been widely derided in the subsequent seven years but it remains the case that he has won the league – with Leeds in 1992 – more recently than Liverpool. If that is to change, they need to end their habit of losing the awkward fixtures.

rjolly@thenational.ae

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