Watertight United are simply unstoppable but Liverpool are fading fast from the title race

30 January 2009 00:15
You can't score past them, let alone defeat them, so how do you stop Manchester United[LNB]from winning the Barclays Premier League now?[LNB]United have gone 11 games without conceding a single goal — just take a moment to dwell on that, it is something quite special for a team with such attacking principles.[LNB]Liverpool[LNB], meanwhile, are going backwards. It's hard to imagine they have not won since the performance of the season in hammering Newcastle [LNB]5-1 on December 28. They haven't won a league game since.[LNB] [LNB]In the groove: Carlos Tevez has found his goalscoring boost in the absence of Wayne Rooney [LNB]The decision to take off Steven Gerrard — who was not injured — at Wigan is confusing. What message does it send out? Gerrard will win you a game standing onone leg, so I don't understand what was behind the change. [LNB] RAFA'S CONSPIRACY FILES: Just what is driving Liverpool manager Benitez crazy?[LNB]Heart surgery ordeal for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo[LNB]MANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB]It is four games without a win now and Chelsea up next. This is their biggest fixture of the season. [LNB]Win in front of Sky's cameras and the confidence will return, but if they are beaten it's hard to see how they can challenge for the title. That's how important Sunday's game has become.[LNB]   More from Jamie Redknapp... Jamie Redknapp's Weekend Watch: Good deal or a loada Bull?[LNB]26/01/09 Jamie Redknapp: Manchester City should get a Maka not a Kaka[LNB]18/01/09 Jamie Redknapp's Weekend Watch: Making a defence case for Laursen [LNB]12/01/09 Jamie Redknapp: This show just seemed like another cheap shot [LNB]06/01/09 JAMIE REDKNAPP: Tyson's City KO was pure Roy of the Rovers stuff[LNB]04/01/09 Jamie Redknapp: O'Neill turns his Aston Villains into new heroes[LNB]31/12/08 Jamie Redknapp: Blackburn did the right thing...but Incey will be back[LNB]17/12/08 The race for pace: Everyone needs a flier like Lennon to win you the game[LNB]24/11/08 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE[LNB]  The manager has started tinkering with the team again and the body language of the players is not good.[LNB]The destabilising of Robbie Keane is bizarre. He has not performed as well as many expected — me included — but he is better than he is being treated. [LNB]Many clubs would like to have a player of his ability. Keane is a strong personality[LNB]and a popular player in the dressing room, so the management of the Irishman can only have a negative impact on the squad. [LNB]Unless, of course, they are winning games. Rafa, naturally a cautious manager, had the chance to be bold and strike out when Manchester United were distracted with the Club World Cup.[LNB][LNB][LNB] In the background: Robbie Keane is not in Rafa Benitez's front line plans[LNB] [LNB]Now United, with Rio Ferdinand back from injury and Wayne Rooney still to return,appear very focused and moving towards their best form. [LNB]They have an annoying ability to find their top gear as the season approaches the business end of proceedings. [LNB]Carlos Tevez, with his loan contract running down, has rediscovered his touch in front of goal and with Rooney absent through injury, he is seizing his chance back in the spotlight.[LNB]United's players seem to be coming to the boil, while Liverpool's seem to be falling away. Torres has yet to rediscover his touch (he will, but it needs to be quick) andunless Gerrard is winning matches, they are lacking others who can.[LNB]They play Chelsea [LNB]next — who have slipped quietly into second place. Frank Lampard has scored in six of his last eight games and while they, too, are far from their best, there are signs of recovery.[LNB] RAFA'S CONSPIRACY FILES: Just what is driving Liverpool manager Benitez crazy?[LNB]Heart surgery ordeal for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo[LNB]MANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB]Phil Scolari will be quietly pleased to see the pressure building at Anfield.[LNB]United, meanwhile, were ruthless and clinical at West Bromwich[LNB]. Next up it's Everton[LNB],difficult opponents for anyone, and then they go to West Ham[LNB]who are in excellent form and are always challenging opponents for Sir Alex Ferguson.[LNB]Win those two games and they might just be able to start easing off while they prepare for Inter Milan in the Champions League.[LNB] [LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail