Despite a fractious boardroom, doubts over the club's future ownership and the endless saga of Rafael Benitez's contract renewal, Sir Alex Ferguson knows Liverpool are the only side who can stop Manchester United's relentless march to a third straight Premier League title.
Benitez's side have failed to be derailed by off-pitch politics and have remained in touch despite long-term injuries to Martin Skrtel and Fernando Torres. With a well-earned reputation as the league's strong finishers, Anfield should be quietly confident.
But Liverpool could yet run aground because of that old issue of rotation – or rather, a lack of it. In his four previous seasons in England, Benitez has come under fire for tinkering too much. Now, he may falter at the last because he has not rotated enough.
His faith in his policy has always been absolute. He honed it at Valencia, twice breaking the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona by coming from behind in the home straight, his players fresh by virtue of being rested from the start.
For all the criticism, the bare facts suggest it worked in England, too. In the 2005-6 season, Liverpool lost just one of their last 13 games, at Arsenal, a feat they repeated last year, only slipping up to Manchester United. In 2006-7, distracted by another emotional run to a Champions League final, they lost four in the same period, but used reserve sides at Portsmouth and, famously, Fulham.
The flaw, of course, was that by that stage Liverpool were out of the race already, too far adrift from first Chelsea, then Manchester United to compete. Benitez has remedied that this time by naming a more settled side. Last year, he made 131 changes over the course of the season, and three years ago, 120.
In an injury-riddled season, he is on course to make just 101. Five players have started more than 80 per cent of Liverpool's games, with Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina ever-present. Dirk Kuyt, Steven Gerrard and Alvaro Arbeloa are not far behind.
Benitez believes "many factors" play a part in his knack for producing sides which finish strongly, but rotation is a key principle. By sacrificing it, though, Benitez may find that his greatest weakness was, in fact, his greatest strength.
He has also found it tricky to keep players out of the side happy, with Robbie Keane already dispatched back to Tottenham after six months.
Benitez will be relieved to know Ryan Babel does not intend to follow his lead. The Dutchman has struggled for form but says he is learning from Torres.
Benitez's side have failed to be derailed by off-pitch politics and have remained in touch despite long-term injuries to Martin Skrtel and Fernando Torres. With a well-earned reputation as the league's strong finishers, Anfield should be quietly confident.
But Liverpool could yet run aground because of that old issue of rotation – or rather, a lack of it. In his four previous seasons in England, Benitez has come under fire for tinkering too much. Now, he may falter at the last because he has not rotated enough.
His faith in his policy has always been absolute. He honed it at Valencia, twice breaking the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona by coming from behind in the home straight, his players fresh by virtue of being rested from the start.
For all the criticism, the bare facts suggest it worked in England, too. In the 2005-6 season, Liverpool lost just one of their last 13 games, at Arsenal, a feat they repeated last year, only slipping up to Manchester United. In 2006-7, distracted by another emotional run to a Champions League final, they lost four in the same period, but used reserve sides at Portsmouth and, famously, Fulham.
The flaw, of course, was that by that stage Liverpool were out of the race already, too far adrift from first Chelsea, then Manchester United to compete. Benitez has remedied that this time by naming a more settled side. Last year, he made 131 changes over the course of the season, and three years ago, 120.
In an injury-riddled season, he is on course to make just 101. Five players have started more than 80 per cent of Liverpool's games, with Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina ever-present. Dirk Kuyt, Steven Gerrard and Alvaro Arbeloa are not far behind.
Benitez believes "many factors" play a part in his knack for producing sides which finish strongly, but rotation is a key principle. By sacrificing it, though, Benitez may find that his greatest weakness was, in fact, his greatest strength.
He has also found it tricky to keep players out of the side happy, with Robbie Keane already dispatched back to Tottenham after six months.
Benitez will be relieved to know Ryan Babel does not intend to follow his lead. The Dutchman has struggled for form but says he is learning from Torres.
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