Manchester City vs Liverpool Match Preview
Brian Moore, Feb 21st 2010
Fourth place in the Premier League is up for grabs again this week. The current main contenders, Manchester City and Liverpool, meet on Sunday. Fourth place finisher qualifies for Champions League play next season; that’s big money and neither team will easily loosen their grip on their claim to fourth.
Manchester City’s Patrick Viera is banned for three games following his clash with Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan on Tuesday. Challenged by Whelan from behind, Viera went to ground then appeared to deliberately kick Whelan in the groin. A statement from the club reported that Viera “reluctantly decided not to contest the charge of violent conduct.” Whether Viera’s action was deliberate or not may be questionable. Nevertheless, it was an ugly incident, and Viera deserves the ban.
The Citizens hold the fourth place spot at the moment, having taken over that position as a result of their 1-1 draw with Stoke this week. The Stoke match was one of City’s two games in hand, and although it was a mere share of the points, it comes on the heels of last week’s 2-0 victory over Bolton.
Liverpool meanwhile lost to Arsenal at the weekend, thus positioning themselves for the drop into fifth.
Positions may change
Only a point separates the two clubs, with City at 45 and Liverpool at 44. But both clubs must be careful. Tottenham and Aston Villa trail close behind on 43 and 42 points respectively. Spurs and Villa both have very winnable fixtures at the weekend: Tottenham play away to Wigan and Villa are at home to Burnley. Thus, for the second consecutive week, we may find ourselves witness to anguish or delight as the clubs in the race for fourth undergo possible juxtaposition.
City and Liverpool last met in November at Anfield in a thriller of a match that ended 2-2. City, however, for all their available firepower, have shown vulnerability lately. Their 1-1 draw with Stoke was their second in three days with the Potters, the earlier of the two being an FA Cup Fifth Round clash. City still have a game in hand so a draw against Liverpool on Sunday wouldn’t be a complete disaster. Liverpool, however, need a win; anything less could see them drop down the table.
Controversy at Arsenal
By their own standards Liverpool have had a poor season. They’ve been on a good run of form
recently, however, despite their loss to Arsenal at the Emirates last week. That particular match was a controversial one. A last moment free kick to Liverpool just outside the Arsenal penalty box resulted in a clear and deliberate handball by Cesc Febregas. Referee Howard Webb somehow failed to notice the infraction. Twenty million other people, some of them thousands of miles away, saw it plainly, however. Liverpool claimed a penalty, which may not have been justified. But a booking for the Spaniard and a second free kick were clearly in order. Deserved or not, the loss stretched the distance between Liverpool and the top three, perhaps irreparably.
Is Bellamy a problem for Mancini?
Manchester City may come to rue Patrick Viera’s suspension. Bulgarian midfielder Martin Petrov is also unavailable due to injury, and Carlos Tevez is still in Argentina on family business. Welsh 
international striker Craig Bellamy has been suffering from a groin strain and speculation in the press regarding a falling out between Bellamy and manager Roberto Mancini are being downplayed. "I spoke with him in the office and read that I shouted at him.” Said Mancini. “But I didn't. We just spoke face-to-face. He is having treatment at the training ground and if the knee is okay, he will be available for Sunday.” Bellamy’s speed and skill are qualities Mancini would be loath to lose at this juncture.
Reds not in tip top form
Liverpool’s winning performance in their Europa League tie against Romanian outfit Unirea Urziceni this week was less than top quality and goes to suggest yet again that the Reds are not at all functioning well. The injury to Spanish international striker Fernando Torres has clearly dampened manager Rafa Benitez’s plans for contention among the Premier League top four. To their credit, however, the Reds have responded well. Dirk Kuyt in particular has proven a fine goal scoring option in Torres’s absence. Reports in the press have suggested that Torres might return to action against City this weekend but Benitez has squashed such gossip, saying that Torres is still not ready. This must be music to the ears of the Spanish World Cup squad and Manchester City alike.
