There have been key moments and games throughout 2009/10 so far and Liverpool visit on Sunday in what could be a telling moment with the final stage of the season is upon us.
Although both sides go into the game on the back of some less than stellar form of late, both have by and large continued to pick up points in their quest for a top four finish and - at the risk of irking Aston Villa and Tottenham - the final position will almost certainly be contested between the two sides.
Discontent appears to be growing over our performances of late, and again, we are not helped through injury and unavailability. Patrick Vieira of course begins his suspension, Martin Petrov has been ruled out through injury and Carlos Tevez is still absent. The hope is that Craig Bellamy can return to the side and inject much needed pace, drive and attacking intent to the line-up.
The questions for Roberto Mancini in terms of selection will be whether to continue with two up front and who will replace Vieira. It is difficult to question as to exactly how Mancini will play it but I would imagine he will go with Adebayor as the lone front man with Stephen Ireland in for Vieira. It will then be a case of two from Bellamy, Wright-Phillips and Johnson to form what on paper looks to be a more attacking midfield than we have seen of late.
Rafa Benitez believes the way for Liverpool to win the game is by attacking:
"It will be an important game for both teams and we will try to win. If you cannot, it is better not to lose, but the main thing for us is to try to win. "We will try to attack and we know we will have to score goals if we want to win. "They are an attacking team and we will have to attack too, so I think it will be open." I couldn't disagree more with his ascertion. Neither side has shown a particular fondness for flair and attacking play of late, and historically (last season apart) games between the two sides have been close. In fact, it is fifteen games since the sides were seperated by more than a single goal. Roberto Mancini also discussed the game at today's press conference: "We want to win and so do they, so it will be difficult but more so for them. We are above them and they have to try to get past us. We have to be positive, if we can win, will go further ahead of them so that’s what we must try to do." It is an important point that Mancini raises here. Whilst the result will not define the season or decide a top four spot it could be a telling result with only a dozen games remaining in the season. At present we hold fourth position of course and victory would put us four points ahead with a game in hand. Advantage most definitely to ourselves. Should Liverpool win, they take the initiative but know that our game in hand could see us regain the advantage. The visitors therefore have much more to lose. The game will also be important for establishing whether either side can break out of their sluggish form, and whether victory can kick start a run over the remainder of 2009/10. The draw therefore seems the most logical result, but, considering our home record in recent times coupled with Liverpool's struggles in front of goal on their travels, I take us to come away with a 1-0 victory and put us firmly in the driving seat heading into the final leg of the season.