Watto’s Preview: Birmingham City vs Liverpool

Of all the so called ‘top four’ clubs, Liverpool have been most generous in coughing up Premiership points in our favour. The last time the Reds won at St Andrews was ironically during the Blues’ best Premiership season to date. Heskey and Owen led the Liverpool line that day and Emile was outstanding with a goal. The manager then was Gerrard Houlier who sold Heskey to Blues before the axe fell on his Anfield career. Houlier lost his job in spite of being the most successful Liverpool manager since Bob Paisley. He only won three trophies in one season including a League Cup against Blues, but was victim of the Scouse delusion that they have some divine right to be more successful.

The current holder of the Anfield hot seat is the incorrigible Rafa Benitez. It is mystery to most football fans how Benitez has survived so long given the club’s attitude to where they see their natural place in football’s pecking order. It is believed that should Rafa get the boot he can demand an immediate payment of £13,000,000. If Liverpool fans wonder why their team cannot reproduce their former glories then one only has to look at that kind of business decision.

Blues fans couldn’t care less about Liverpool’s affairs and will want revenge for the diabolical actions of one Monsieur Ngog whose dive robbed Blues of a deserved win at Anfield in November.

For most teams the concept of getting screwed at Anfield is nothing new but Ngog’s actions appeared deliberate and premeditated. The Blues’ players’ reaction to the young Frenchman showed how dastardly his deed was. In the good old days when tackling was allowed, revenge would have been exacted on the field. Would Ngog have behaved that way had he been playing against Tommy Smith, Norman Hunter or Chopper Harris?

The Reds last visit to St Andrews was the 2-2 draw which saw Blues lose a 2-0 lead. That game more than any cost Blues their Premiership place. I for one am looking forward to seeing the appearance of Fernando Torres at St Andrews. Since his arrival in England from Athletico Madrid the Spanish striker has only played 20 minutes against Blues, coming on at Anfield in a 0-0 draw. Our twin towers, Johnson, and Dann have started to recover the form that was the mainstay of Blues lengthy unbeaten run. This will be a real test of their defensive capabilities.

This Liverpool match is one of those games left in the season which Blues fans really want to win. If Blues respectable league position is to become more than just a passing phase then wins like this are essential. It will up the Blues’ credibility no end. Liverpool, mostly via their manager still covet the 4th place spot but will have to accept that a top six place is more realistic. The Europa Cup, in spite of Thursday’s defeat to Benfica looks to be Liverpool’s natural surroundings these days.

Having said that, Liverpool still has Steven Gerrard, who certainly does not fit well into any other level than the very highest. It seems inevitable that the England World Cup star will be plying his trade in the Champion’s League this time next year. The chances are that the best Liverpool player ever, in my opinion, will be doing it in a shirt of continental design.

By Alan Watton

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