Gerrard is off-form, Rafa is erratic and Liverpool are average... but they'll still beat City to fourth place

By Mark Lawrenson

Published 23:02 19/02/10

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Even Superman had the odd day off to look after Lois Lane.

That is why even Liverpool's Superman cannot be expected to be their match-winning hero in every game.

Steven Gerrard is Mr Liverpool and is enjoying an improved run of form in recent games.

But you could argue that Gerrard's form has been indifferent this season compared to what he has been like for the past 10 years.

The reason, I believe, is simple. He is not 100 per cent fit because he has not been the all-action, rampaging and determined midfielder this season.

Of course it is a concern for Fabio Capello in World Cup year. But the end of the season comes in early May and the World Cup kicks off for England nearly four weeks later.

England need a fully fit Gerrard to do well in the World Cup and, thankfully, the Liverpool captain will get a rest at the end of the season.

But, more importantly now, Liverpool need Gerrard to keep their season going in their push for fourth place and the Europa League.

Liverpool look a very ordinary team without Gerrard. Or to put it another way, which Liverpool players would the other members of the top four take if they were given the pick of Anfield?

Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina. Maybe Arsenal would take Javier Mascherano. But Liverpool's squad looks very average.

Emiliano Insua has had a really poor season. Martin Skrtl has been disappointing, Dirk Kuyt works hard and yet there is little invention.

Albert Rieira is another who doesn't really know whether he's coming or going. The trouble is with Rafa Benitez, you never really know what his plans are.

That leaves some players uncertain about which direction they are going in. Then who really offers quality cover for Torres?

David Ngog is clearly a young player with talent but it's a lot to expect him to come in every week and do the business.

Liverpool have, in fairness, been on a good run, the defeat at Arsenal apart. But even at Arsenal they were well organised, well drilled, hard to break down and difficult to beat.

That's exactly how you can expect them to be against Manchester City in what is going to be billed as fourth place play-off.

City are strong at home, vulnerable away. They need this result and yet Liverpool will make it very hard for them.

That's why I fancy a draw at Eastlands on Sunday and, ultimately, why Liverpool will finish in fourth place.

City are still yet to absolutely convince. Emmanuel Adebayor has been iffy, Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott have cost a lot and yet been unconvincing. If anything, Vincent Kompany is their best defender.

Roberto Mancini has come in, looked at a lot of players, given them chances and is still searching for the right combination.

City are four or five players away from being a top, top team and that's why they will finish fifth and that may not be enough for Mancini and also enough to attract the Champions League calibre of players they need to reach the next level.

The one player they really have looked to time and again this season is Craig Bellamy.

When you talk about top clubs taking players from other teams, Bellamy is the one player that Sir Alex Ferguson would take across Manchester to United. Bellamy has that wonderful little bit of devil in him.

Bellamy has been City's driving force and inspiration this season. Yes, he can be trouble, but he's generally worth the hassle.

It will be a tussle right until the end for fourth slot and yet Liverpool will probably come through - but only just.

But the Premier League appear to want to devalue the whole race for fourth place and turn it into a farce with a play-off for the Champions League spot. It's a joke.

The season is a slog and you deserve to be where you finish. The deeper problem is that if the Premier League mess around too much with the Champions League places then it's obvious that UEFA will downgrade it from four to three places.

Then that really would make the Premier League far more predictable and boring. But for now, we're enjoying a good, exciting season and why spoil it?

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Interview: John Cross

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