Why I want Liverpool to BEAT Chelsea

The title of this blog might seem a little strange to those not up to date with the football world. Surely it is fairly obvious that, as a Liverpool supporter, I would want them to beat Chelsea this Sunday, and that that news is hardly worthy of a blog post.

However, all Reds supporters face a massive dilemna in the coming days. As all of the footballing world knows, Liverpool supporters are fiercly proud of their long and glorious past which includes a joint record 18 League titles, 5 European Cups, 7 FA Cups, 7 League Cups, 3 UEFA Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 15 Charity Shields and 3 FA Youth Cups.

Such a glittering past makes us the most successful team in British history. However, our title of the most League titles, which has already been equalled by Manchested United, could be beaten this season by our Manchester rivals. The top of the table sees Chelsea only one point ahead of Manchester United after both teams have played 36 League games.

To secure their fourth consecutive League title, which is a record in itself, and a record 19th as well, the Mancs must take full points from games away to Steve Bruce's Sunderland and at home to Stoke City, whilst hoping that Chelsea slip up either at Anfield on Sunday or when they host Wigan Athletic on the final day of the season.

All Liverpool supporters will be desperate to deny United the title as so much of our enviable history is at stake. However, Liverpool still have to secure Europa League football for next season by claiming at least one point from the last six available. Moreover, if we can take all six points from our last two fixtures than it is still remotely possible that we could sneak into the Champions League through the back door.

Whilst many Reds supporters have lost all hope of qualifying for next season's Champions League I believe that Liverpool must compete till the end. Although in all likelihood Liverpool will not finish fourth, whilst it is still mathematically possible we must give our all in a desperate attempt to somehow grab fourth spot from under the noses of both Tottenham, City and Aston Villa.

With Tottenham facing Manchester City at Eastlands on 5th May in what could prove to be the decisive match that determines who will claim that coveted fourth spot, Liverpool must win their match on Sunday against Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea team to pile as much pressure as possible on our rivals.

Like all Liverpool supporters, I would be gutted if Manchester United take our proud record of 18 League Championships as it has always remained one of the main boast's of all Reds. However, I believe that we cannot continue to rely on United failing to win in order to retain our records.

We must start winning trophies, League titles and European Cups once again if we are to remain as the most successful team in English footballing history and, unfortunately, that's never going to happen without serious investment in what is a very weak looking squad.

Liverpool's first 11 is world class. There is no doubt. Reina, Johnson, Agger, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres and potentially Aquilani are all top class footballers, and Benayoun, Kuyt and Carragher provide stable performances week in week out. However, once you start looking at the substitutes bench you begin to realise the astounding lack of depth in our sqaud.

For example, on Thursday these were the substitutes for our biggest game of the season against Athletico Madrid in the Europa League semi final; Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Pacheco, Degen, El Zhar, Ayala and Ngog. Admittedly Liverpool had several players out injured (namely Skrtel, Aurelio, Insua and, most importantly, Fernando Torres)but still the Liverpool bench was severely lacking in quality, especially going forward, with three out of the seven substitutes defenders and only the youngsters Dani Pacheco and Nabil El Zhar, alongside a half fit David Ngog, offering any sort of attacking threat.

Some might blame that lack of strength in depth on the manager, however you cannot reasonably expect Rafa to build a title winning squad when he has been forced to break even in the last three transfer windows. He may be one of the best managers in the world, with a fine CV to back that claim up, but if he is given no finance then there is simply no chance of success at Anfield.

It has always been the Liverpool Way to give your all in every game, both as a team and as individuals, and I believe that we must go all out on Sunday to prove a point. We musn't roll over, and we must win the game to restore confidence after a crushing defeat on Thursday.

I expect nothing less from Rafa's Reds.

YNWA