Why Rafa's dreams could turn into a nightmare if the FA Cup draw is cruel to Liverpool

By Robbie Savage

Published 23:00 26/11/09

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The FA Cup third round draw is always one of the highlights of the season but I bet Liverpool fans will be watching it from behind the sofa on Sunday.

One ball with the number of Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal on it could see their season over in January - an unthinkable state of affairs for such a great club.

I've said before that Liverpool will struggle to finish in the top four this season and the psychological blow of going out of the Champions League makes that even more likely.

They are making the right noises about regrouping to win the Europa League but their status as favourites doesn't do justice to other quality sides in the competition who are in better form than Rafa Benitez's men.

What strikes me about this Liverpool team is that, unlike any Anfield side of the last 40 years, you simply cannot see them rolling off the 10 straight wins they will need to put a stranglehold on the fourth Champions League place.

When they are without Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres they look woefully short and without Xabi Alonso their midfield lacks invention and a killer ball into danger areas.

Alberto Aquilani is now the hope of the Kop but after his long injury lay-off he can't be fully fit. If he is, then why did Benitez only bring him on for two minutes the other night?

I'm no financial expert but it stands to reason that this week's Champions League exit will have weakened Rafa's hand when it comes to demanding money in the January transfer window - especially when the £20million you get for qualifying next season is far from secured.

Liverpool could have got away with a season like this in previous years but now they are regressing while their rivals progress. Look at Spurs, who took apart Wigan in such devastating style last Sunday.

Yes, they were up against opposition who capitulated in a shocking way, but they have three quality strikers in Defoe, Crouch and Keane - the last two deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield - where Liverpool only have Torres. Spurs also have Wilson Palacios, one of my players of the season so far, and you can bet Harry Redknapp will want to strengthen further in the window, a luxury Liverpool might not have.

Manchester City will spend too and, although they've now drawn six on the spin, at least Mark Hughes has eliminated the silly defeats away from home.

Sparky has also found out Sir Alex Ferguson was right about Carlos Tevez. He's a great shock weapon coming off the bench to terrorise tiring defenders but doesn't have the same impact on the game when he is starting.

Add in an Aston Villa side which is quietly going about its business and it adds up to a challenge for Benitez similar to the one he faced at half-time in that Champions League final.

Only don't bet on a miracle this time.