Fourth place appears a modest goal for a club of Liverpool's history and stature. 18 League titles, five European Cups, seven FA Cups and a record eight League Cups surely demand loftier ambitions then settling for fourth? However, considering the Reds' recent past and the turmoil that has engulfed the club both on and off the pitch, qualifying for next season's Champions League is clearly the pinnacle of any possible achievement in the Premier League. Far more investment from FSG is needed before winning number 19 can be considered a realistic target.
Champions League football is crucial in modern football and the longer Liverpool are away from the European elite, the harder it will become for the Merseysiders to return to the top tables of both domestic and European football. The cash and status that can be obtained from participating in the Champions League are vital to attracting world-class players and being able to satisfy their wage demands. Without these the gap between Liverpool and the likes of United and City will continue to widen.
The fight for fourth place has developed a status akin to the struggle for survival and tussle for the title. Liverpool are competing with Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United for a fourth place finish.The race will almost certainly go down to the wire, but what form are the Reds' rivals in and has the fixture computer been nice or nasty to them?
Arsenal
In keeping with tradition, the Gunners' season was almost over in a single week when they crashed out of the FA Cup to Sunderland after suffering a humiliating 4-0 reverse at AC Milan in the Champions League in the middle of February. Left with only fourth to fight for, some called for the sacking of legendary boss Arsene Wenger.
When London rivals Tottenham then took a two-goal lead at the Emirates, Arsenal's season looked to be officially over. However, a stunning fightback saw them clinch a remarkable 5-2 victory that kept their season alive. Top scoring striker Robin Van Persie then struck twice to steal three points from Anfield, before an Istanbul-esque comeback in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 tie with AC Milan ultimately ended in failure, a 3-0 home win not enough to keep them in the competition.
Nevertheless, Arsenal are the form team heading into the business end of the season and sit in pole position, only one point behind third placed Tottenham Hotspur. Their toughest two fixtures to come are at home to Manchester City and Chelsea, but apart from that they have a relatively easy run in, with QPR, Wolves, Wigan, Stoke, Norwich and West Bromich Albion all eminently beatable opponents.Chelsea
Owner Roman Abramovich's typical impatience saw 34-year old former Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas sacked in March after recording only three wins in 12 League matches. Whatever the rights or wrongs of the Portuguese’s dismissal, the boost ordinarily experienced by a team when a new manager arrives (in this case Roberto Di Matteo on a temporary basis) has led the Blues to win three in a row.
That momentum could prove crucial in propelling them into the Champions League places. However, they will encounter some difficult fixtures in the run in. Tottenham and Newcastle both visit Stamford Bridge during the remaining matches, while Chelsea will have to travel to the Etihad Stadium, Villa Park, the Emirates and Anfield.Newcastle United
This season's surprise package, the Barcodes have done tremendously well under the stewardship of the mild-mannered Alan Pardrew. The Geordies have made St James' Park (or, as it's now affectionately known, the Sports Direct Arena) a fortress this season, losing only twice in front of their own fans.
The Magpies' impressive form owes much to the fantastically named Demba Ba, who arrived for free in the summer and has hit the ground running, bagging a brilliant 16 goals, comparable to Sergio Aguero, who cost Manchester City in the region of £40 million.
Newcastle end the season with two tough games at home to title chasing City and away to Everton. Before then, they also face Swansea and Chelsea away, as well as hosting Liverpool.For all their over-achievement so far this season, Champions League qualification appears a step too far for the resurgent Geordies.
Liverpool
Liverpool's season has been unpredictable, characterised by exhilarating highs, such as Carling Cup success, and devastating lows, like cruelly losing at home to Arsenal in the dying stages of a game there is no doubt we deserved to comfortably win. In front of goal the Reds have struggled, netting only 33 goals, which is the lowest in the top nine and little more than the likes of Wolves, QPR and Bolton have managed.
Prior to the Merseyside derby, Liverpool had lost three League games in a row for the first time since 2003. However, a triumph over local rivals Everton, inspired by skipper Steven Gerrard's hat-trick, should build confidence and improve form heading into the closing stages of the campaign.The Reds' hardest fixtures are arguably the final two, when they face Chelsea at home on the penultimate weekend of the season and then travel to high-flying Swansea to round off the campaign. By that stage, though, success in the FA Cup may be a higher priority.
So, can Liverpool still finish fourth and achieve the Champions League qualification that has long been their stated aim from this season?
Well, the odds are undoubtedly against the Merseysiders. Arsenal are flying, Chelsea have the temporary high of a new manager and Newcastle are no pushovers. It is possible that FA Cup success could generate confidence that translates into League points, however, it remains highly unlikely that the Reds will manage a top four finish. There is simply too much ground to make up in too little time.
Here's hoping that Dalglish's men can prove me wrong!
YNWA
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