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Last week I wrote that Liverpool’s performance against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League was their best performance all season. They certainly backed it up with their hammering of Manchester United in the EPL, a result that revitalises the title race.
After Manchester United’s record run of clean sheets, to lose 4-1 at home to their fiercest rivals, allowing Liverpool to claw back into title contention, was a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering the extent of the defeat.
United were torn apart by Liverpool.
They weren’t very convincing against Inter Milan in the Champions League, either, and this isn’t the time of the season to lose confidence and form.
While they appeared on course for the title, they have not been entirely convincing in their performances and have lacked that killer instinct this season.
Liverpool, on the other hand, was fantastic.
Once again, Fernando Torres showed why he should be in any discussion on who is the best striker in the world. His pace, deft touch and quality finishing were all on show at Old Trafford
United’s Vidic has been caught out numerous times now against Liverpool, proof that even world class defenders struggle to contain Torres when he is in this type of form.
But one thing is clear regarding Liverpool’s title aspirations, and this was underscored in the victories against Real and United: they need both Steven Gerrard and Torres fit and firing.
When they don’t have the pair fit, they are unable to break teams down.
While the United result was a warning sign, too often this season they have dropped points when they shouldn’t have, namely when Gerrard or Torres were missing.
With Chelsea’s victory over Manchester City bringing them to within four points of United, second on goal difference, the EPL title race has certainly tightened up compared to only a few weeks ago when Van der Sar’s clean sheet record looked set to take United strolling to another title.
But United remain favourites.
They have the depth, relative to their opponents, to cope with their multiple campaigns, and there is no one better than Ferguson at pulling a side back from such calamities.
They can grind out performances, crucial in the EPL.
Remember, too, they have a four-point gap and a game in hand.
But they aren’t that sure bet they once looked and you have to wonder what effect those jitters will have on their quintuple campaign, especially in Europe where they can’t afford such performances against the likes of Barcelona and Liverpool.
And just imagine if United did draw Liverpool in the Champions League this Friday?
Ferguson must be dreading such a tie after such a defeat at home. With Liverpool doing the double over their great rivals, they have the psychological edge over United.
The result from Old Trafford certainly adds extra spice to the title campaign.
Meanwhile with Arsenal finding some form, led by the remarkable Andrey Arshavin, and Aston Villa faltering, the Gunners are back into the top four, fitting in a week in which the big four of the EPL confirmed their might with progression to the Champions League quarters.
Despite the twists and turns of the EPL title race, one thing remains constant: it will be the same four teams in that battle.