Liverpool's six games to save season after Champions League exit to Chelsea

15 April 2009 13:35
There will be no Champions League final or FA Cup victory for Rafa Benitez's side this year, but the trophy that matters most to captain Steven Gerrard is still up for grabs. [LNB]Trailing Manchester United by a single point, though having played a game more, Liverpool realistically need to win all their remaining games to stand any chance of finishing top for the first time since 1990. [LNB] Related ArticlesThe Daily Bung: Gold on a stickChelsea 4 Liverpool 4: Agg 7-5Benitez: Gerrard key to title run-inChelsea v Liverpool: Man markingPaper View: Chelsea snuff out Reds revivalThat's entertainmentTue Apr 21 Arsenal (h) – predicted result win[LNB]Arsenal could turn out to be the kingmakers of this season, still having to play all three contenders, with Liverpool first up in what promises to be a highly charged night beneath the Anfield floodlights. Arsenal are unbeaten in 18 Premier League matches coming in to this fixture and with Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor returning from injury they are fresh and full of confidence. [LNB]However, Arsenal's injury curse has struck at the back of late with William Gallas out for the season and Gael Clichy unlikely to be fit for this one. If Gerrard, as Benitez predicts, is available a home victory is on. [LNB]Reverse fixture: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1[LNB]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [LNB]Sat Apr 25 Hull City (a) – predicted result win[LNB]Two points dropped against Phil Brown's side at Anfield smacked of carelessness by Liverpool but that was when Hull were surprising everyone with their endeavour and willingness to take on the big boys toe-to-toe. Since then, Hull's decline has been dramatic and they find themselves in a relegation fight that is sure to spread nerves around the club when Liverpool come to visit. [LNB]Reverse fixture: Liverpool 2 Hull City 2[LNB]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [LNB]Sun May 03 Newcastle United (h) – predicted result win[LNB]Another team with relegation troubles and despite Alan Shearer's arrival lifting the mood at Newcastle, defeat to Chelsea and a scrappy draw at Stoke City since demonstrates the enduring problems the former England striker has inherited. Michael Owen should be back to full match fitness for a trip to his former stamping ground but a shaky defence should yeild to Liverpool's force of intent. [LNB]Reverse fixture: Newcastle United 1 Liverpool 5[LNB]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [LNB]May 09 West Ham (a) – predicted result defeat[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson described West Ham's players as putting in an 'obscene' amount of effort when the already relegated club beat Manchester United in the run in to the 1992 Championship, won by Leeds United. They also held United to a draw on the final day of the season in 1995, gifting the title to Blackburn, so they have previous in wrecking title ambitions. With a seventh placed finish to give a Europa League place West Ham will have something to play for themselves and after Arsenal this is Liverpool's toughest game. [LNB]Reverse fixture: Liverpool 0 West Ham 0[LNB]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [LNB]Sun May 17 West Brom (a) – predicted result win[LNB]West Brom will be down by the time Liverpool visit the Hawthorns and the only danger for Liverpool is that freedom from pressure might allow Tony Mowbray's lightweight but crisp passing side to cut loose. If Liverpool don't win this one, however, they don't deserve to win the title. [LNB]Reverse fixture: Liverpool 3 West Brom 0[LNB]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [LNB]Sun May 24 Tottenham (h) – predicted result win[LNB]The curious possibility of Robbie Keane scoring the winner at Anfield and thus denying himself a league title medal exists. Tottenham will have nothing to play for though and are likely to have their minds already on a beach in Dubai but the unpredictable nature of Harry Redknapp's side will cause concern. [LNB]Reverse fixture: Tottenham 2 Liverpool 1[LNB]Predicted final tally: 85 points meaning United would need to drop at least seven points for Liverpool to win the title. 

Source: Telegraph