Liverpool’s rivals are now Everton, Spurs and Man City and not the top four!

We don't have the best record at Anfield but if it's ever gonna happen... tonight's the night! we are in great confidence, have a great away form, can't stop scoring set pieces and all this combined with Liverpool's current slump, (by their standards) means that we do have a damn good chance!

Two things: 1) A Step backwards - which is why we have more points at this stage in the season than at any other under Rafa. 2) Our rivals are Everton, Spurs and Man City - sure they are because we have played two less games than almost every other team in the division. Come back when you've got a clue and write us an article.

Come on Villa!! If you took Gerrard and Torres out of that team, they would struggle in the scottish league. Never mind the premiership!!! (you never know, with Rafa Benethus selection policy, they both could be on the bench tonight!!!)

I don't honestly think that Spurs can be considered a threat to Liverpool - 12pts behind and Liverpool having two games in hand, this site really does talk a load of tosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[quote]Two things: 1) A Step backwards - which is why we have more points at this stage in the season than at any other under Rafa. 2) Our rivals are Everton, Spurs and Man City - sure they are because we have played two less games than almost every other team in the division. Come back when you've got a clue and write us an article.[/quote] Liverpool have two games in hand and that's guaranteed two points for the draw specialists that Liverpool are.

when were newcastle rejuvenated? they have reappointed a manager, who has won nothing as a manager.along with liverpool they have the most deluded fans in the premiership.give it a year keegan will be hounded out of a job,and the new messiah will be paraded for the sky cameras.a joke of a football club,they parade new signings like other clubs parade trophies.no history. who will finish fourth? everton by a distance.

Well put Phil. He's completely clueless. People just seem to write the same old s*** on a different day on this place.

.....It's a fair article and he isn't slaughtering the scousers just stating what he see's and to be honest i agree with him. I know Rafa made some money with sales, but he didn't need any encouragement spending it and he should be doing better, if they win those 2 games in a row then fair enough, but at the moment, Man Utd, Chelski and Arsenal have the points in the bag, liverpool don't. I thik you have a better chance in a cup than the league and thats gotta be a fair statement??

The strength in depth of the squad plus additions may well see Liverpool through to that forth spot ahead of their rivals.They are underperforming in games they should be winning but the major reason for that is the loss of Paco.It is glaringly obvious that soon as he left we started loosing pace. He is a great loss, possibly the title winning season but for that.If there was anyway to bring him back to Anfield is should be taken with both arms because we need him.As for Rafa, unlucky?,stubborn? I think just proud, alongside Shankly and Paisley he will be an immortal t Anfield but he needs to get the support from the owners (hopefully soon to be DIC, YES!!), and he needs to have a worldclass assistant.Hopefully we will go on a 10-12 game unbeaten run as everyone knows we are wellcapable of doing, especially this half of the season, remember we are the only team to beat Everton away other than Utd, one of two teams to take points at City, great away record, home form improving, players improving, if it wasnt

I think Phil is bitter because Liverpool are no longer a big club lets face it they cant even afford their new stadium under their new american owners. It just goes to show that winning the champions league 5 times means nothing to the teams they are playing in the premier league.

everton 4-1 and we didn't need the referee on our side to do it! You guys stunk at Goodison and should admit it!

Even if you won your two games in hand, (and thats a massive IF!!) you would still be closer to Blackburn than Man U) - so as with most kopies. you must understand the game before you can comment on it!!!

as i said earlier,liverpool and newcastle fans are the most deluded fans in the premier league

...for the owner who know nothing about Liverpool we would have had with the proper support we needed a few more worldclass additions to the squad and lost some of the dead weight we're carrying around, wewould have been in the mix for sure.We need the american to sell now.Period.DIC GET IN MY SON, HAVE IT!

Its about time Liverfool fans understand they are not title contenders. The amount of money spent on the squad and still falling behind the top3 is a joke! I agree take Gerrard and Torres out of the team they struggle...the rest of the buys have been poor! hope its true that an investment company with the acronym DIC takes them over...brilliant!

lets be honest LFC are still closer to EFC AVFC and MCFC even IF you win games in hand (by quite a way), and to be fair you cant bank on LFC winning those two games you have on the top 2 can you? Also LFC may have more points at this stage than other seasons but other teams have progressed more and moved on, Rafa (in the league) has at best sustained his team whilst those around them are progressing steadily. Face up to it, LFC are going nowhere at the mo Things will have to change before things progress. at the moment, and the maths doesnt lie, LFC's biggest and closest rivals are Everton Villa and City. I admire your faith but you seem to be clutching at straws, straws that have proven to be a bit flimsy of late.

Surely the heading of this article is incorrect! Liverpools rivals must surely now be Everton, Spurs and Man City, and no longer the top 3????

spurs and newcastle villa are way better then them 2 so ur main rivals are everton villa and man city who are gettin very lucky lately, also if i was rafa i would have left by now cos those 2 divs in charge are treatin him like s***. anyway good chance for villa tonight good old gabby to score the winner i hope

There is no big four anymore - it's the big three. The stranglehold on the champions league is lessening and despite the dominance of the big three any team from 4-9 stand a chance of getting into Europe and any team from 13 down are fighting for Premiership survival. Only Spurs, West Ham and Newcastle have nothing to play for i.e survival or Europe. Has the league ever been this dynamic? Newcomers always got relegated and a handful of teams always looked destined for European football. This year's league looks like the best since the Prem started.

villa are a decent side with goals all around the park. Even IF they lose, they will give Liverpool a hec of a game. And, although i really don't like Liverpool too much, I can't see them falling into mid-table. They are too big to let that happen and will always be challenging for the top four. However, a serious title challenge is way off for them.

Why have you put Spurs in there? Liverpools biggest rivals are definitely Everton who are a country mile ahead of Spurs. Who will finish 4th?? Everton.

This is not the best season since rafa took over, you can check yourself; http://www.anfield-online.co.uk/stats/2008/lfc-season- comparison.html

RE:Gary- "deluded" Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill- The teams meet at Anfield tonight and O’Neill said: “It would be nice to be criticised like Benitez for only winning the Champions League and not the Premier League. I wouldn’t mind that sort of criticism. “I know Alex Ferguson is disappointed he’s only won it once at Manchester United — but once would be nice.” "They are well capable of going on an unbeaten run,unquestionably, everyone know they are" Martin O'Neill singing his praises, he knows what he's talking about