Liverpool for 4th by the end of tonight?

Sunderland will be without on-loan Liverpool striker Anthony Le Tallec for the visit of the European Champions.

The France Under-21 international is ineligible so either Andy Gray or Chris Brown will stand in while Stephen Elliot is struggling with his back.

Liverpool still have doubts over the fitness of midfielder Xabi Alonso who has an ankle problem.

Luis Garcia should come back from a hip injury but Bolo Zenden faces a lenghty lay-off with a knee injury.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:

"This is a great opportunity to make up the difference in matches played, we must be in the top four.

"This is an important and a tough game, afterwards we are at home to Wigan and we could be in the top four by then. It is crucial that the team concentrate on this situation.

"We can then go to Japan for the World Club Championships thinking only of that trophy and not the league. Our confidence will be high if we can win the three league games before we go."


So, 'crisis' over?

by Paul Tomkins

Excuse me for not being surprised at the current good form. During the 'crisis' weeks earlier in the season, I was accused of being unreasonably positive when I claimed that things would pick up very quickly.

On October 26th, the club was under the darkest of clouds - if you believed the weathermen. Just over a month ago, the Reds had been beaten by Fulham and Crystal Palace.

I found no difficulty in remaining positive, just as I had through the great 'crisis' of January 2005, although it led to my inbox being filled with accusations of living on a different planet, and no shortage of ridicule.

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