Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC need to get their big stars fit says 80's star Paul Walsh
Paul Walsh 300[LNB]AS SOMEONE who lifted the First Division title at Anfield and tasted FA Cup success at White Hart Lane, you might expect Paul Walsh to have divided loyalties this weekend.[LNB]After all, he spent the eight peak years of his career split evenly between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, scoring freely and contributing to memorable triumphs for both clubs, while he enjoyed great popularity on the terraces.[LNB]But when it comes down to who he wants to see come out in the battle of his old clubs - both on Sunday and in the race to clinch the final Champions League place this season - Walsh is as quick with his answer as he was in finding chinks in opposition defences.[LNB]'Liverpool every time,' comes the reply.[LNB]'I didn't really have the greatest time with Tottenham when I played there and that was down to the fact I was so devastated to have left Liverpool but the affection you have for the club never goes.'[LNB]It will, however, take more than just positive thinking for Liverpool to clamber back into the top four and nudge a Tottenham side that has not looked back since beating Rafa Benitez's men 2-1 on the opening day of the campaign.[LNB]There is no doubt Harry Redknapp has guided Tottenham into the strongest position they have known in the table since Walsh was part of the squad that finished third to Liverpool in 1990 and they are favourites in some quarters to win this particular skirmish.[LNB]With 18 games still to play, though, Walsh - who was signed by Joe Fagan from Luton Town for £700,000 in 1984 after running rings around Mark Lawrenson in a 3-3 draw at Anfield - believes the Reds' experience at the business end will prove crucial.[LNB] That opinion is backed up by statistics: cast a glance at Liverpool's records since Benitez arrived in 2004 and there is always a period after Christmas when they get into a relentless groove which churns out win after win.[LNB]Last season they were successful in 11 of their final 12 matches, the campaign before they put a sequence of six victories in eight matches to sprint away from Everton, while back in 2006, Liverpool's last nine games yielded a maximum 27 points.[LNB]'If Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard - Liverpool's two phenomenal players - are playing well and injury free, you have always got a chance,' said Walsh, who scored 14 seconds into Anfield debut against West Ham in 1984 (above).
