When you see Steven Gerrard play like he did against Aston Villa, in the system that Rafa Benitez has set up for him, you can believe that Liverpool could go on to take this league title.
I looked at Gerrard once or twice on Sunday and he was caught the wrong side…but he didn’t bother getting back. He’s learned to play that position just off of Fernando Torres, he conserves energy to hurt the opposition.
Combine him with Torres and teams are scared to death of them. They can’t squeeze, they can’t press because they’re frightened of the pace of Torres.
So Gerrard now is exploiting that space. If you give Gerrard and Liverpool any space…they are going to destroy you. In this form, they’ll destroy you. They’ll pick you off all over the place.
That’s now over a year since Liverpool have lost when Torres and Gerrard play. It tells its own story.
And as for the two behind them, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano…what a duo they are. Mascherano, if you want a player who is horrible to play against…look at Mascherano. He is unbelievable.
If Liverpool can keep all these guys fit…the first XI…it’s good enough to challenge. Albert Riera’s made a huge difference, Liverpool now have width, there’s lovely balance, the defence is solid.
And in Steven Gerrard you have the best player in the world. His all-round game is just sensational.
We’re at a stage in the season now where you need to get the job done. Usually Manchester United are very good at that, but right now it’s Liverpool getting the job done.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s use of his forwards was baffling at the weekend. Cristiano Ronaldo is not a left winger, he’s not a striker, he’s a right winger.
Liverpool made sure they picked their best XI on Sunday and they got the job done. I’m even surprised that Rafa Benitez didn’t rest Gerrard earlier today.
At this stage, I look at the table, I look at United and Liverpool, and if Liverpool can keep the big players fit they’re going to be a huge match for anyone.
This side have won the Champions League, they are awesome at their best…it’s all down to how many times they can be at their best from now until the end of the season.
Looking at the last week, beating Madrid, beating United, hammering Villa, it’s hard not to be convinced that they can do this.
A couple of weeks ago, you were looking at the Champions League as Liverpool’s saviour. Now I can’t tell which one they’re more likely to win.