Five Games Left – Which is the Hardest?

‘It was a very tricky game’.

An understatement from the Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard here, such was the challenge posed by West Ham on Sunday, which surprised no one given the nature of a Sam Allardyce team. It was one of those days that, in past seasons, would have geot away from Liverpool, with the Reds not at their best and West Ham trying to make the game as physical as possible.

Add in the refereeing from Anthony Taylor and Liverpool would have definitely lost that game a year or two ago. But not now.

They rolled up their sleeves, cleared everything from their minds, with the help of Gerrard and Brendan Rodgers, and controlled the second half and the destiny of the title once again. On another day, Liverpool may have been comfortable, even with the lack of space given to them. Luis Suarez was mightily unlucky with his two exquisite efforts that came off the crossbar, while Raheem Sterling and Suarez were both denied by the West Ham goalkeeper Adrian.

Yes Andy Carroll did hit the crossbar, but West Ham created very little throughout and were clearly set out to frustrate Liverpool, knowing that they have crumbled in such situations before. However, whilst it left fans screaming for the final whistle, and whilst Liverpool needed two penalties from the nerveless Gerrard, Liverpool got the job done. At this stage, that is all that matters.

Nine games on the bounce, just five more to go. It would be unprecedented in a myriad of ways if Liverpool went on to claim their first title since 1990.

For instance, it has been a long time since a title-winning side boasted a British nucleus, with arguably Manchester United’s academy group from 1992 that dominated in the 1990s being the last British-dominated champions. It would be Liverpool’s first title in the modern era; they have been underdogs throughout and everybody loves an underdog, particularly when no one since Blackburn has popped up to challenge like this before; Luis Suarez’s redemption would be complete, having gone from zero after the Ivanovic incident to hero and on the precipice of a Player of the Year double; the football has been so exciting and fresh, drawing comparisons with the emergence of Arsene Wenger’s first Arsenal side.

But arguably the sight of Steven Gerrard lifting the Premier League trophy on the year that Sir Alex Ferguson retired from Manchester United is the impetus behind the coronation of Liverpool as everybody’s second favourite team. Liverpool would go from 7th to 1st, not seen since the early 1980s, while Manchester United would go from 7th to 1st, having never finished outside the top three in the Premier League era.

All unprecedented.

Before all that though, there is plenty of work left for Liverpool if they wish to finally realise their title dream.

Manchester City visit Anfield on Sunday in what is seen as Liverpool’s biggest game since the 2005 Champions League semi final against Chelsea. Another 1-0 and ghost goal would be just as good as last time, but the task will be severe. City have run the course before, collecting the title in dramatic circumstances in 2012.

They have a spine that any team would envy, with Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and potentially a fit Sergio Aguero for the trip to Anfield. However, the defence is breachable. Martin Demichelis has improved recently but is similar to Kolo Toure in their tendency to make high profile mistakes. With the pace, energy and movement of the likes of Suarez, Sterling and Daniel Sturridge, there are goals to be had for Liverpool.

Likewise though, City will fancy the same thing.

Yet Liverpool’s defence has also been steadier in recent weeks so hopefully they can replicate the likes of Jamie Carragher and Djimi Traore (!) with a clean sheet in such a big game.

Going to Norwich will be difficult, although not on the same scale as facing Manchester City. Whilst the Canaries are fighting for their lives, they are in disarray, while a certain Luis Suarez loves facing them! (anyone who has not seen the 4 goal exhibition from Suarez against Norwich in December 2013 need to look on YouTube ASAP)

You can bet your house, your life, everything that Jose Mourinho will have something up his sleeve for when his Chelsea visit Anfield, in another match where the apprentice takes on the master. Rodgers served under Mourinho as youth and reserve team boss in the Portuguese’s first stint as Chelsea boss, before making his own career with the intention to seemingly replicate the exact opposite of everything Mourinho still does.

The pace and trickery of Eden Hazard, Willian (who nearly joined Liverpool last summer before joining Chelsea) and Oscar will be difficult to overcome. Conversely, the lack of a striker and a back four currently sapped of confidence after defeats to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Paris Saint-Germain, combined with the movement and hunger of Liverpool, makes this game slightly easier than the match with Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

Crystal Palace will almost certainly be safe by the time Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park, but Tony Pulis will still have his team up for the scalp, making his side tough to beat.

Yet you can never replicate the mentality of chasing after something monumental, be it survival or the title. Therefore if Liverpool still have the title in their hands, then they will get through this game, again through their pace and trickery.

Palace are more likely to have a go if they’re safe, similar to West Ham on Sunday, which would suit Liverpool more.

From first to last, the final club standing in the way is only the small matter of Newcastle United. Together, they have produced some of, if not the finest games in the history of the Premier League.

If a win here secures the title, the nerves will be excruciating, not just for the players but for everyone associated with the club. Consequently, this makes the final game with Alan Pardew’s side just as difficult as the first with City. Each game is so important – but those two arguably more than most.