Mail on Sunday, March 22, 2009FORGET a squeaky bum - after watching Liverpool destroy Aston Villa 5-0 without ever reaching top gear, Alex Ferguson's rear end will be parping like a Mersey ferry.
The sour Scot could body double for a Ribena berry right now - the more it goes wrong, the purpler he gets.
Gone is the yawning seven-point advantage his Manchester United held over Liverpool just over a week ago. Gone is the goal difference - from plus 11 in favour of Fergie's side, to plus two in favour of Liverpool.
And the best is - gone is Fergie's focus. The pressure is getting to him and his players - big time.
Ferguson's gone from nonchalantly shrugging off Rafa's 'rant' to ordering staff at United to check whether he's spent more than the Spaniard.
He's also childishly revealed his list of the best Premier League managers - omitting Benitez.
And, best of all, he is refusing to speak to the media after matches. Cracking up? Think so!
On the pitch, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are behaving like a pair of spoilt brats, officials are finally giving decisions against United (a consequence of the Rafa 'rant' perhaps?!) and they look highly beatable.
And how nice to see super Danny Murphy rolling back the years to sink Man United - he even found time to seek out Fergie at the end and shake his hand - nice touch!
.jpg)
It's time Fergie showed some respect for Rafa
Meanwhile, at the right end of the M62, life couldn't get much better for Benitez and every Liverpool fan right now. The manager's contract signed, Rick Parry on his way out and 13 goals in three games against quality opposition.
Aside from a magnificent result, there were lots of positives to take from the latest display of Liverpool's hot streak of form.
BERTIE GLEE: Riera celebrates his spectacular strike
Albert Riera had his best game for the club, visibly growing in confidence, tormenting the Villa defence all day and hammering in a thunderous finish for Liverpool's second.
Pepe Reina pulled off a world-class save and yet again demonstrated what a powerful weapon his flawless distribution can be while Steven Gerrard - well he was just Steven Gerrard - world class.
And all this without the usual contribution from Fernando Torres who had a very quiet game.
So after 12 days of bliss, we're daring to dream. Not even the most optimistic of Reds could have predicted the last three results. And not even the most pessimistic could fail to be impressed by them.
Now we can only hope this devastating form isn't interrupted by an ill-timed international break.
It's still up to the Mancs to throw the title away of course, but if they do, we've got to be there to catch it. And what better way to knock them off balance than by returning to league action against Fulham a week on Saturday and claiming all three points?
That would put Liverpool top - two points clear - with United then having two games in hand and first off facing Villa at home on the Sunday.
Seeing the Reds top again would really have us dreaming of number 19 but how realistic are our chances?
As ever it's hard to say - but it seems Fergie isn't the only one with a sweaty rear end right now.
No, twitchy bookmakers are also staining their shorts at the prospect of the Reds getting back on their perch.
After the 4-1 mauling of the Mancs was followed by the 5-0 thumping of Villa, the odds for Steven Gerrard getting to grips with the Premier League trophy were slashed from 20-1 to just 3-1.
But what I want to know is - what price a Murphy own goal giving Liverpool victory at Craven Cottage?
That really would send Fergie's blackcurrant tribute act into overdrive!
The sour Scot could body double for a Ribena berry right now - the more it goes wrong, the purpler he gets.
Gone is the yawning seven-point advantage his Manchester United held over Liverpool just over a week ago. Gone is the goal difference - from plus 11 in favour of Fergie's side, to plus two in favour of Liverpool.
And the best is - gone is Fergie's focus. The pressure is getting to him and his players - big time.
Ferguson's gone from nonchalantly shrugging off Rafa's 'rant' to ordering staff at United to check whether he's spent more than the Spaniard.
He's also childishly revealed his list of the best Premier League managers - omitting Benitez.
And, best of all, he is refusing to speak to the media after matches. Cracking up? Think so!
On the pitch, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are behaving like a pair of spoilt brats, officials are finally giving decisions against United (a consequence of the Rafa 'rant' perhaps?!) and they look highly beatable.
And how nice to see super Danny Murphy rolling back the years to sink Man United - he even found time to seek out Fergie at the end and shake his hand - nice touch!
.jpg)
It's time Fergie showed some respect for RafaMeanwhile, at the right end of the M62, life couldn't get much better for Benitez and every Liverpool fan right now. The manager's contract signed, Rick Parry on his way out and 13 goals in three games against quality opposition.
Aside from a magnificent result, there were lots of positives to take from the latest display of Liverpool's hot streak of form.
BERTIE GLEE: Riera celebrates his spectacular strikeAlbert Riera had his best game for the club, visibly growing in confidence, tormenting the Villa defence all day and hammering in a thunderous finish for Liverpool's second.
Pepe Reina pulled off a world-class save and yet again demonstrated what a powerful weapon his flawless distribution can be while Steven Gerrard - well he was just Steven Gerrard - world class.
And all this without the usual contribution from Fernando Torres who had a very quiet game.
So after 12 days of bliss, we're daring to dream. Not even the most optimistic of Reds could have predicted the last three results. And not even the most pessimistic could fail to be impressed by them.
Now we can only hope this devastating form isn't interrupted by an ill-timed international break.
It's still up to the Mancs to throw the title away of course, but if they do, we've got to be there to catch it. And what better way to knock them off balance than by returning to league action against Fulham a week on Saturday and claiming all three points?
That would put Liverpool top - two points clear - with United then having two games in hand and first off facing Villa at home on the Sunday.
Seeing the Reds top again would really have us dreaming of number 19 but how realistic are our chances?
As ever it's hard to say - but it seems Fergie isn't the only one with a sweaty rear end right now.
No, twitchy bookmakers are also staining their shorts at the prospect of the Reds getting back on their perch.
After the 4-1 mauling of the Mancs was followed by the 5-0 thumping of Villa, the odds for Steven Gerrard getting to grips with the Premier League trophy were slashed from 20-1 to just 3-1.
But what I want to know is - what price a Murphy own goal giving Liverpool victory at Craven Cottage?
That really would send Fergie's blackcurrant tribute act into overdrive!
Posts
