THE FALL AND RISE OF LIVERPOOL F.C.

A man may transfered or he maybe injured, clubs may be in debts, but the ideas and the confidence never dies. We're talking about Liverpool F.C., five times European top-flight champions and seven times F.A. Cup winners. But where did Liverpool's might go this season? Was it the departure of Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa to The Bernabeu that shattered the Merseyside champions' line-up or the injured Fernando Torres? If only key-players were the might of the team, Manchester United wouldn't have been consistent to stay on the summit without their hot-shot Cristiano Ronaldo, who, too, left for Real Madrid.

WE NEVER WALK BEHIND

The Reds had shown consistent poor performance in the first half of this season, winning only nine fixures out of nineteen as well as the humiliating exit from the UEFA Champions' League only added to their poor plight. But, then suddenly The Reds' Spanish Boss Rafael Benitez felt that the time was running out and some quick changes made his team re-gain confidence. With the stars like Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Dirk Kuyt, Jamie Carragher and the newest signing from Atletico Madrid Maxi Rodriguez still on the pitch, Liverpool fans have still the effervescence of expectations inside them.

Liverpool shot ahead in the second half of the Premier League as they have lost none in their last six League fixtures winning four out of them and this brings them back into the top four and completes the Top 4 with the Big Four again-Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. The order won't remain same after this evening as Chelsea host Arsenal in what is supposed to be Arsenal's biggest test of the season. But, the crux here right now isn't Arsenal or Chelsea. It's Liverpool! The club that walked on the side-line of a cliff for most of the season till now. Transfer speculations about Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and even Rafael Benitez(to Juventus, a deal which did not take place) showed the Merseyside club's pressure this season.

But as they rise now, beat their Merseyside rivals Everton yesterday by a thin margin of one goal to nil, Liverpool grabbed the bragging rights owing to their Flying Dutchman- Dirk Kuyt. Dirk Kuyt who claimed to have felt the pressure, somehow reduced the pressure on his team and gained confidence by beating their bitter-rivals. "What we have done really well is keep working hard. We have been a bit unlucky with a couple of injuries, but the players are coming back and we are getting stronger and stronger. Once they are back we will all learn that it makes us stronger." said the Dutch to a press conference ahead of Saturday’s derby against Everton.

THEY WALKED ALONE

The Kops did walk alone without the injured stars like Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson and Yossi Benayoun all out for atleast a month from now. A month, that could decide Liverpool's fate in the league. But, where was the manager's intellect to guide the team without key-players? Where was his back-up plan? All that Liverpool could see was exit from The Champions' League, exit from the FA Cup and a poor league position. Is this all Rafael Benitez is capable of? He won The Champions' League in 2005 without these players as well, so was that a fluke or was the second finish in the league last season a fluke? It would be far too much to call him a fluke. During his entire coaching career, he's won the Spanish League twice and a UEFA Cup with Valencia C.F. Helped two Spanish sides to promote them into the La Liga and won the Champions' League, the FA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the FA Community Shield with Liverpool.

To a manager and a coach with such might, is it the time to leave Liverpool and let the fans assume him to be the greatest manager of all times at The Anfield or shall he risk his remaining good impression and try his heart out to win some Silverware for Liverpool in these times?

Only he can answer, only time will answer. Will they walk alone?

-PRANAV MUKUL

Where is the Good in Goodbye? -Nemanja Vidic

He came, he saw, he played, he won and now it's time for him to leave. If there could be one thing that could stop Nemanja Vidic to leave United this summer, then Sir Alex Ferguson must have already tried it out. It might be the financial crunch Manchester United is facing or it might be the offers Vidic will be tempted to join either the Rossoneri or Los Merengues or just for a matter of case, it might just be Mrs. Vidic who asks the Serb to leave England.

LIFE'S LIKE THIS.

Manchester United have already started preparing for a life without the 28-year-old defender who made the key to the defence which was termed as the strongest defense in the world by Joe Morrison. Speculations about signing either Giorgio Chiellini from Juventus or Evan Hovland from Adeccoligaen side Sogndal Fotbal who has already been termed as the 'Norwegian Nemanja Vidic' may just show the preparations United has started to make to adapt themselves to a Vidic-less life.

Post-Vidic, United's central-defense will be dominated by only the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and Wes Brown. Vidic leaving the English side will only weaken the defense and it will be just shattered to pieces as Vidic is a world-class defender and is one of the best in England as well as Europe. He is highly regarded for his physical presence, heading ability in both defence and at attacking set pieces, as well as his bravery.

Sir Alex Ferguson is only ready to sell Vidic if the interested clubs offer a sum of £20m, compared to the £7m he bought him for from Spartak Moscow,then, making him the costliest defender in Russian-League's history. But, is Vidic just worth £20m to Manchester United? I don't think so. He is worth the 13 goals he's scored for United and all the clean-sheets he's earned. It will be almost next-to-impossible for The Red Devils to find a replacement for the Serbian defender. The world is evident about Vida's might on the back of the field and maybe Cristiano Ronaldo would've been too and maybe that's how he's been keenly followed by Real Madrid to land him at the Santiago Bernabeu. Or will it be AC Milan, that are capable enough to get him to the San Siro? Vidic meet's Milan in the Champions' League draw of 16 and maybe it will be a chance for him to decide his future at the Italian outfit.

Within all these speculations and dilemmas, should Vidic leave it on Sir Alex Ferguson to decide his future or should he ask his wife?

- PRANAV MUKUL

Premier League Preview: Chelsea VS Arsenal

Kick-Off: Sunday, February 7th, 16:00 GMT.

Stamford Bridge, West London.

It will be a titans' clash this Super Sunday as Chelsea welcome Arsenal FC to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, currently on the summit of the Premier League with two points clear from current champions Manchester United host Arsenal FC who're on the third spot trailing to Manchester United by three points.

Recently, Chelsea showed a weak performance with a 1-1 draw against strugglers Hull City and Arsenal, too, have been thrashed by Manchester United 3-1 at Home.

Chelsea are on a strong home form winning 11 out of 12 home fixtures, but, Arsenal's away form can not be ignored as well. Arsenal have won 15 out of 24 total fixtures played this year and lost only 5 , but, The Blues haven't lost a game on home ground till date in this season. Bookies, as of now, have Chelsea as the favourites for the win.

TEAM NEWS:

CHELSEA:

With John Terry being almost out of the game regarding his personal affairs that may cost him his English captaincy, Chelsea will be quite distracted and this was seen at the KC Stadium where they could only manage a draw against Hull City with a Didier Drogba free kick. Michael Essien, Juliano Belletti and Jose Bosingwa still remain absent in the fixture owing to their respective injuries.

Didier Drogba is still in top form as he scored 15 goals already this season and mostly from set-pieces. But the Chelsea defense still remains a question as The Blues lack key players in their defensive system and Ancelotti believes that they may need some re-inforcements. "We know about it. I know very well how many goals we have (conceded) from set pieces," Ancelotti said to Sky Sports.

Frank Lampard has proved to show a great form at Chelsea this season with scoring 11 goals and 9 assists it has been a dream-season for the Blues' midfielder. Other players worth watching in this fixtures from the Italian boss' side will be Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and Alex Dimond.

ARSENAL:

A really poor performance by Arsene Wenger's side against Manchester United at The Emirates and the same-margin defeat against Stoke City really produce doubts for The Gunners at The Stamford Bridge. With their main striker Robin Van Persie still being out because of his ankle injury, Arsene Wenger may well again put up Nicklas Bendtner or Tomas Rosicky in the attack. But, Arsenal's away form, which has been way too good than their home form, gives them a benefit of doubt.

The Gunners' skipper Cesc Fabregas has nothing more he could prove this season. With leading the Actim Index, scoring 11 goals and assisting 13 as well, he is in formidable form. Thomas Vermalean is another player the French Boss could be proud of this season. He has been a striker in disguise and means to Arsenal what Sergio Ramos and Roberto Carlos to Real Madrid and Patrice Evra is to Manchester United.

Other Arsenal players that could be notable this game would be Andrei Arshavin, Samir Nasri and Denilson.

FORM GUIDE:

CHELSEA

Feb 02: Hull City 1-1 Chelsea

Jan 30: Burnley 1-2 Chelsea

Jan 27: Chelsea 3-0 Birmingham City

Jan 23: Preston 0-2 Chelsea (FA Cup)

Jan 16: Chelsea 7-2 Sunderland

ARSENAL

Jan 31: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United

Jan 27: Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

Jan 24: Stoke City 3-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)

Jan 20: Arsenal 4-2 Bolton Wanderers

Jan 17: Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Arsenal

PREDICTION

The History says it. Out of the last five games Arsenal played at The Bridge, they have managed to win only one and draw two. With a clear victory for The Blues at The Emirates this season with a splendid margin of three goals to nil, Chelsea remain clear favourites for this game. Chelsea still maintain their lead over Manchester United even if they lose the fixture, but it may cost them the title, whereas for Arsenal, it will be a must-win, if they wish to lower the gap to the summit of the table.

MY PREDICTION: CHELSEA 2-1 ARSENAL

-PRANAV MUKUL