Football Thoughts

LIVERPOOL FC vice-captain claims that this weekend's fixture against Blackburn Rovers will be his biggest EPL game of his career-
"I'm not just saying this because of what happened against Chelsea the other night but the league has always been the priority for everyone at the club," said the 31-year-old.

"In the 13 years I have been involved in the first team this will be the biggest league game I've played in – it really is that important.

"If we win we can go top of the league with just six games to go and if someone would have told us that we would be in this position when the season started we would have all been delighted.

"This is a massive chance for everyone at the club and I'm sure the fans will create a great atmosphere because they know what is at stake."


This was what Jamie Carragher had to say about the loss to Chelsea FC and the title race : "Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say that the other team played well on the night, and this is one of those occasions.

"But it's important to remember that we've now played them and Man United five times this season and we've won four of those games.

"That's a record we can be proud of even though we are obviously disappointed about what happened the other night.

"We've played more than 40 games in the Premier League and the Champions League – the two biggest competitions – and we've only lost three times. One of the most important things is that when we have lost we've tended to respond in the right way by going on good runs.

"That's what we'll be looking to do again and no-one should be too downhearted about what happened against Chelsea because they are a good side who did well on the night. We've still got a hell of a lot to play for.

"The incentive is there for us to go back on top of the league. It may only be for a few hours until United play but you never know, it could even be for longer than that.

"That's how big this game is and that's why I honestly believe it's the biggest we've had in the league since I've been at the club - and maybe for even longer than that."

Most LIVERPOOL FC fans would love to see their team win the league as well as the Champions League. They still believe that it is not impossible, the players certainly believe so. But one thing for sure is that if LFC's quest for the trophies does not materialize, and should they end the season empty handed, the fans would still believe in them. This was clearly evident during the Chelsea game, even at 3-1 down, they stayed behind until the final whistle and kept singing for the team they love in good times as well in bad times. That is something money can never buy and that is something other clubs may never have possibly. Which is why LFC is special in that sense.

Other players from other teams could see that special relationship that LFC has with its fans and supporters. Thierry Henry felt that Anfield is the best away stadium he ever played in and he enjoys playing his football there. And seeing his current team destroyed the German Champions FC Bayern Munchen gave the bookies a clear indication that FC Barcelona will be the favourites to win the Champions League this year. We shall wait and see if they got that right.

Although I myself believe that LFC can still make it to the semis but my prediction for the semifinals would be:

Chelsea v Barcelona
Porto v Arsenal

Barcelona FC is almost certain to be in the semis at this stage now. Even Mark Van Bommel, previously of Barcelona FC himself and now captain for Bayern Munich had this to say about the 2nd leg in Allianz Arena, "we might have a chance if they show up with only 8 players".