Saturday, January 09, 2010

Walsh: Duo Can Secure Fourth

Former Liverpool striker Paul Walsh is confident an injury-free run until the end of the season will see the Reds claim a top four finish.

With the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Manchester City all harboring genuine aspirations of securing Champions League football next term, many believe 2009-10 to be the toughest Barclays Premier League campaign in recent times.

However, Walsh is tipping Rafael Benitez's side to end the season in the top quartet for the fifth successive year.

"If Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard - Liverpool's two phenomenal players - are playing well and injury free, you have always got a chance," he said.

"It's been difficult for those two this season and people don't understand what it's like to play when you are not 100 per cent fit; some of the criticism Steven has had this season will have hurt because he's been trying to do his best in difficult circumstances.

"Once you get Javier Mascherano back, Alberto Aquilani alongside him, Gerrard and Torres playing well with Yossi Benayoun contributing, Liverpool have got a starting line up that is good enough to beat anything around them.

"When you compare it with Tottenham's best 11, you would say there is only one winner."

Tottenham travel to Anfield this weekend occupying fourth position in the table, four points ahead of Liverpool.

However, Walsh, who made 112 appearances for the Reds between 1984-88, doesn't believes the outcome of Sunday's clash will determine who will finish highest come May.

He said: "Tottenham aren't that much different from where they were two years ago, it's just that they have a manager who always gets the best out of his players; Michael Dawson has blossomed and (Benoit) Assou-Ekotto looks a different player.

"I wouldn't say everything comes down to Sunday; even if Tottenham won and opened up a bit of a gap, there would still be ample time for Liverpool to get back into it but there would then be the pressure to get that best 11 out week after week."

Despite representing both the Reds and Spurs during his playing career, Walsh is in no doubt where his allegiances will lie on Sunday.

"Liverpool every time," he stated.

"I didn't really have the greatest time with Tottenham when I played there and that was down to the fact I was so devastated to have left Liverpool but the affection you have for the club never goes."

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