We’ve played enough of those ‘defining matches’ of the season and have mostly come second best. As much as I hate cliches, I need to say that this too, is in fact, is indeed, a defining match of this season. More than points, the pride is at stake. That of Scolari than that of Chelsea. Big Phil gets yet another chance to show that he can win a big match. Sad that a world champion has to prove this. But as they say, you’re judge by your results.

I’m surprised that no one has ever used ‘chokers’ and ‘Chelsea’ in the same sentence yet. Tomorrow, we get yet another chance to show that we still have it in us to beat the big teams. I don’t sound too optimistic, do I? Well, I can’t fake it. I haven’t seen anything since the Man Utd defeat that would make me optimistic. Let me say I’m not pessimistic but certainly not optimistic either.

Liverpool are in a mini-crisis. They have drawn the last four matches. Contrary to the opinion of the press, I think their poor run of form has nothing to do with Rafa’s outburst against Fergie. That’s just a coincidence. Liverpool are losing the plot because they’re just being Liverpool. They’ve been doing this every season. This time, it has coincided with Rafa’s attack on Fergie. Four consecutive draws is bad but they’re on an unbeaten run of 12 premier league matches. They ended our run of 86 unbeaten home league matches. We can claim a petty little revenge by ending their mini run.

Rafa is a cunning manager. There are very few managers in the premier league to whom I would use that adjective. He is very cunning. That’s how his team is too. They can be cunning and cheeky. They can be deceptive, both ways. Rafa has been preparing for the Chelsea match. He put first choice players like Kuyt, Riera and Alonso in the bench in the mid-week match. He subbed off Gerrard and Torres in the second half. He did not even let Robbie Keane board the bus. So that’s 6 first team players all set to unleash against Chelsea. And precisely, these are the players that win matches for them. On the contrary, we have played our entire first team in our mid-week game.

Rafa’s game plan could be that he wants to beat Chelsea and for that he can pay a price of a draw against Wigan. A draw against Wigan and a win against Chelsea is 4 points. Even the vice versa is also 4 points. But they are not the same. You never want to drop points against your direct rival. These head-to-head matches are exactly the best opportunities to put some daylight between you and your rivals. We’ve been playing our mostly first choice team for God knows how many matches! We played our full team even against Southend home and away, Ipswich and Middlesbrough in the mid-week.

We have the full squad available for selection except Joe Cole, Essien and Carvalho. Terry should be fit. Kalou had a niggle but he should be ready too. Scolari says Ashley Cole feels tired because he has been running around so much but not so much to miss tomorrow’s match. That’s exactly my worry. I don’t want tomorrow’s match to be the one where Cole’s fatigue shows up.

Last match, I think I did a fair job of predicting Scolari’s team selection. This time, I’d tell you whom I would play tomorrow. Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Ballack, Kalou, Anelka and Drogba. It is 4-4-2 and it’s gotta be 4-4-2 if we are looking to win. Both Drogba and Anelka should start. If we play any other formation, Liverpool would defend at ease all day all night. Bosingwa and Ashley Cole can cut down on their attacking runs a bit. Liverpool do have intelligent players who can use the space to deadly advantage.

Last time we played Liverpool, in October, Bosingwa was shut down by Liverpool. He made more than half a dozen intercepted crosses which also meant lost possession while we are attacking in numbers. In fact, Chelsea on the whole, made about 15 crosses that could not find a Chelsea player. In short, Liverpool won the aerial battle hands down. I do not think we have improved heavily in the air since then. For this reason, I’d hope Chelsea to cut down on the crosses and play it along the grass. We had 2 shots on target all match, one each from Lampard and Kalou. That’s another thing to keep in mind.

One thing we have been missing of late is the tempo. In this match, we should play with tempo. When we have the ball, we need to scare them, make them take cover. That’s how we can beat Liverpool. Slow build-up against Liverpool almost would never work. They are very strong side tactically. Indecisive passing around in the final third would not take us anywhere. We need to play with tempo and at right places we need to take quick decisions of to pass, to run or to shoot. Right or wrong, things should happen quickly enough to beat them.

As I always say, the efforts matter as much as the result. Sometimes things may not go our way, especially in places like Anfield but we should put in a 120% effort to win the match. What I don’t want to see is a repeat of home leg against Liverpool. I’m not talking about the result here. The perfomance. What I don’t wan to see is a spiritless, spineless effort with no clear cut chances created. I don’t want to see a repeat of Liverpool (home), Arsenal (home) and Man Utd (away).

This season I think most of my score predictions have gone wrong. That’s because Chelsea were exceeding my expectations for a shortwhile before surprising me with a serious mediocre performances with some disastrous results. With much experience and wisdom of this season’s Chelsea and Liverpool, I’d predict a 1-1 which may not really do us much favours as Man Utd keep winning. If Chelsea wins tomorrow, I’d put my money on Chelsea beating Man Utd for the title. Call me whatever, I’d even dare to say it loud.

I’d end with this simple quote from Super Frank:

Anfield is a very difficult place to win, but we have done it and we have done it quite well.