Is Today The Day Liverpool's Title Challenge Died

An Alonso own-goal and a second from Tuncay saw Middlesbrough earn a much needed 3 points today against Liverpool. It is Middlesbrough first win since their victory over Aston Villa on 9th November.

Liverpool remain 7 points behind Man United who did not play in the Premier League today, because of the Carling Cup Final tomorrow. Liverpool have now also played an extra game and lost second place to Chelsea took who are on an equal 55 points after their 2-1 win over Wigan.

Middlesbrough do seem to save their best performances for the games against the top teams.

Liverpool's title challenge seems to have petered out, before March. With Torres side lines, there is a lack of credibility about Liverpool's attacking options.

Has Liverpool's title challenge been ended today by Middlesbrough or can they still push United all the way? Will Liverpool finish above Chelsea and Aston Villa now? Will this affect Benitez's contract negotiations?

Carling Cup Final

Tottenaham are going to field the strongest possible team in tomorrows cup final after manager Harry Redknapp rested his big guns against Shaktar Donetsk. However, Carlo Cudicini, Wilson Palacios, Pascal Chimbonda and Robbie Keane are illegible, Jermaine Defoe is injured and Jamie O'Hara will have a late fitness test.

For Man Utd Sir Alex Ferguson has already stated that he will stick with his youth policy that has guided United to this final. Jonny Evans needed a pain killing injection to play Inter in the week so will likely not be risked. Gary Neville returned to training this week which means he may feature as Wes Brown and Rafael are both out with injury.

Brazillian Anderson played 45 minutes for the reserves in mid-week. Fabio also played in that match and was withdrawn early. Van der Saar has not played in the competition this season so Sir Alex will pick between Kuszczak and Ben Foster.

So likely line ups will be:

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Zakora, Jenas, Lennon, Modric, Pavlyuchenko.

Man Utd: Foster, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Fabio, Nani, Gibson, Scholes, Ronaldo, Tevez, Wellbeck.

Anyone care to offer any predictions?

Klinsmann Linked With Man City

Sky Sports has the rumour, here, that Jurgen Klinsmann has been linked as a replacement to Mark Hughes at Man City. Luiz Felipe Scolari is another linked to the role.

Klinsmann is said in the report to be flattered by the link, but not interested.

What does Mark Hughes have to do to keep his job at Man City in the Summer and how big is the gulf between expectations and results at Man City?

Quiz - Level 1

Q. Which team plays soccer at Rugby Park?

Benitez - "I Will Not Quit"

Rafa has insisted that he is not going to walk away from the Liverpool job and talks are continuing over a new contract.

Bookmakers yesterday stopped taking bets on Benitez's future just a few hours before Liverpool went out and beat Real Madrid 1-0.

Benitez is thought to want greater control over the transfer policy at the club and the warring owners are reluctant to allow that to happen. However, Benitez says the lawyers have been talking and that he feels the problems will be overcome.

We will have to take Benitez at his word. However, I have spent some time today considering who I would want in charge if I were a Liverpool fan, and Jose may fit the bill. However, if not why not make, what would be an extremely popular move for this man?

Torres Out For "Some Games"

Liverpool have confirmed that Fernando Torres will miss "some games" after sustaining an injury to his ankle. Torres sustained the injury in the first half of last nights game with Real Madrid, but on doctors advise Benitez left the striker on the field and started him for the second half. Torres hobbled off on 61 minutes.

Torres will miss the Middlesbrough game this weekend, and it is unclear at this point when he will return.

Liverpool are light now in the striking department having sold Robbie Keane in January. Ryan Babel was brought on to cover last night, and Rafa also has David N'Gog, Dirk Kuyt and Nabil El Zhar who can play up front, though I suspect this will not fill Liverpool fans with confidence, though it might Middlesbroughs defenders.

Shilton - "Becks Won't Catch Me"

Just spotted this on the BBC website.

Peter Shilton has told Radio BBC Stoke that "I don't think he will catch my record. If he does, I will congratulate him."

Beckham equalled Bobby Moores outfield record of 108 caps already, but would need to feature in every game, including friendlies between now and a quarter-final at the next World Cup to beat Shiltons appearance record of 125 caps.

I think Shilton is right, Beckham will not make it to 125. What does everyone else think?

Champions League Round Up - 25-Feb-09

Chelsea 1 - 0 Juventus

Real Madrid 0 - 1 Liverpool

Sporting 0 - 5 Bayern Munich

Villareal 1 - 1 Panathinaikos

Champions League Round Up - 24-Feb-09

Arsenal 1 - 0 Roma

Inter Milan 0 - 0 Man Utd

Lyon - 1 - 1 Barcelona

Athletico Madrid 2 - 2 FC Porto

Quiz - Level 1

Q. Which was the first British Soccer team to win the European Cup?

Jose - The Special One

There has, for at least ten years now (probably longer) been something of a gravitational pull towards the Premier League of the very best and most special talents. There has been the odd exception that has bypassed England and found glory in Spain and/or Italy, possibly because of climate or culture; but we have been telling ourselves for sometime that overall we have the best league in the world. I feel the same, I think the Premier League is the best, and probably most supported league in the world.

As time goes on, it feels more and more likely that the very top players will at some point play in our league. Where as Zidane did not, Ronaldo has and Kaka quite possibly will at some point. Some players have been billed as world beaters, but faced with a Premier League Season been revealed as anything but.

Part of the progression has been that we have attracted superstars with the prospects of cash and trophys. When these superstars were eventually bettered, or perhaps passed their peak the Premiership' elite clubs have managed to largely replace and often supersede their outgoing talents. But the progression has always been forwards. When players like Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelroy left these shores, it could be spun that the leagues top billing had gone, but instead we have the seen Ronaldo turn into a goal scoring machine, we have Rooney who plays with his heart on his sleeve, we have the predatorial Fernando Torres, and the lethal Didier Drogba, to name but a few.

Superstar's may have left but the talent pool has continued to get better and better.

There is though, one small exception to this. When Jose Mourinho left Chelsea, and English Football, he took a little piece of English Football with him. The league lost one of the best and brightest managers in the World. He is, in fact one of only four managers to have won the Premier League. The Premier Leagues loss has been Serie A's gain. I want to see young English managers get a chance in the league, but I want them pitted against the best the world has to offer, and Jose is one of the best.

I hope that Jose does well with Inter Milan in Italy (though I hope Manchester United get past Inter Milan in the Champions League) but I hope also that come the end of the Season he is able to find employment back in the Premier League.

Here, because I know you have missed him too, is a little reminder.

Quiz - Level 2

Q. On August the 21st, 1965, Keith Peacock became the first what in a football league match?

Rafa "Now, We Must Beat United To Win League"

The first hint that Liverpool feel their title chances are slipping away has surprisingly come from manager Rafa Benitez. The Manager has said that he feels Liverpool now need to win the tie at Old Trafford on March 14th to be in with a change of winning the league now.

Benitez is again the talk of Liverpool as he has still not agreed a new contract despite a reputed £4m salary being on offer, and greater control on transfer policy and youth development. It is said that Benitez has now rejected Liverpool's offer for a 5th time. Benitez is thought to have concerns about the speed of availability of transfer funds from waring American partners Tom Hicks and George Gillette Jr.

If Manchester United do win the Premier League this season they will equal Liverpool's record of 18 top flight trophies. The league has always been the most sought trophy by Liverpool fans and many are vocally upset that the club has gone so long without winning.

New Poll - Where Will Jose Be Next Season?

I have put a new poll up, please vote in the poll to let us know where you think The Special One will be next season.

If you want to elaborate, you can do so in the comment form of this post.

British Team Poll Closes

The Poll about whether Great Britain should enter a football team in the 2012 Olympics in London has closed, attracting a very low response level, which in itself may tell a story.

Only 4 people responded, 3 in favour 1 respondent was not in favour.