We've drawn 7 of our last 10 league games

Explaining away one or two questionable results is one thing but it's hard to explain away things when a clear pattern emerges. As much as I'd prefer to remain optimistic about our title chances, recent results are making that increasingly difficult.

There's a variety of potential explanations, such as a lack of attacking creativity, tactical blunders, poor team selections, woeful choice of substitutions (especially against Wigan last night), Rafa losing the plot [link], and at times there has been some poor player performances.

We're only 2 points from the top (although ManUre have a game in hand) but our next game against Chelski [link] could very well decide whether we drop out of the title race or not. A loss will probably kill team confidence, but a win could propel us on a much needed run of good form.

Probably the most one sided derby in the world

I can't remember the last time Liverpool so comprehensively dominated an entire game, it looked far too easy at times, yet at the same time the lads created very few chances. Everton must have noted our inability to break teams down when they're content to just defend for 90 minutes. So it's probably a case of mission accomplished (forcing a replay at Goodison) for Everton.

Still Everton could have and perhaps should have won the game after they nicked a goal from us. Howard really should have saved Gerrards shot. But it's just as well he didn't as it will serve as a reminder of the genius of Torres whose control and clever flick on for Gerrard led to the goal.

We're now left in the awkward position of having to have a replay sandwiched [link] in between the Chelsea & Portsmouth games. The Premier League has to remain our priority, so hopefully Rafa will field a weakened team for the replay.

Pennant promised much but failed to deliver

Pennant has undoubted talent and proved that with plenty of impressive displays in his first 2 seasons for Liverpool. Yet his talent was let down by a lack of consistency to really make it as a regular Liverpool starter. Despite this he could have made for a useful squad player, although for whatever reasons he fell out of favour with Rafa this season.

So it was hardly surprising that LFC tried to sell him before his contract ran out this summer. Numerous clubs tried to lure him in the January transfer window, but Pennant opted to go on loan for the remainder of the season with Portsmouth instead. It's a shame he never got to fulfill his potential with us, and it sucks that we don't get to recoup some of his transfer fee either.

This Is Anfield... have a point on us :-(

For me, growing up in the 80s, the sign in the players tunnel was something of a statement, almost meant to strike fear into the opposing team before they even got on the pitch. Considering our tendancy to draw our home games this season, perhaps the sign should be altered slightly.

The latest derby between Liverpool and Everton was something of a non-event. Sure there was some serious head banging and also dubious penalty claims on both sides, but it still lacked a certain ferocity or less likely finesse which you'd expect from a 'scouse' derby.

But just when you were wondering where a goal would come from, Gerrard having found himself in tonnes of space, scored a trademark long range goal. It's just a shame Benayoun gave away a clumsy free kick in the dying minutes of the game which resulted in Everton equalising. 'Sick' is about the only word I can think of to describe how I felt at that moment.

Rafa's contract frustrations are perfectly resolvable

A lot of attention has been given to Rafa rejecting LFCs contract offer. The stumbling block in the negotiations is that Rafa feels he should have more say regarding player transfers and the development of the youth academy.

While he acknowledges that he should have to work responsibly within the financial constraints set by LFC's board, he rightly feels that his football related decisions shouldn't be subject to the whims of a CEO.

Rafa insists he has a good working relationship with our American custodians, and it certainly helps that Hicks has publicly stated he's fully aware of Rafa's concerns and sensibly he feels that they can be worked through. So I guess there's no need for any alarm bells to start ringing over this non-issue.

Is there too many world class defenders at LFC ?

What's with LFC ? Why won't they commit Agger to a new contract already ? Is he not a truly world class defender ? Are we inundated with too many world class defenders, that letting one leave is no big deal ?

The rumours that he might leave, surfaced a few months ago with Real Madrid expressing their desire to sign him, but both Agger & Rafa refuted that possibility. Negotiations were rumoured to have commenced on a new contract and it's rather doubtful that Agger was asking for too much money, yet nothing seemed to come of those negotiations.

The latest suitor is AC Milan, the problem being that Aggers agent met with their sporting director yesterday, to discuss whatever it is that agents and sporting directors do ! Agger has only 18 months left on his contract (which he could easily buy out). We need to be retaining our best players, not losing them.

Ferguson must be laughing his ass off now

It's standard practice for Ferguson to wind up his opponents each year in the hope of making them crack under the additional pressure and drop points in the league. Rafa should know this only too well, and shouldn't let it bother him. So it was surprising when Rafa took the bait on Friday [youtube link] and launched into a cringeworthy diatribe on Ferguson.

To some, it may have looked like Rafa was calm and factual in his diatribe, but it wasn't really necessary. It merely demonstrated that Ferguson is really getting to him, something which the players might have picked up on also.

What's worse is that this was followed up by another woeful 0-0 performance against Stoke yesterday. Regardless of who is at fault, the front 6 players, or Rafa with his team selection, tactics, and poor substitutions. The fact remains that we've now dropped more points, also Rafa's diatribe now looks like a sign of cracking. Let's hope not for all our sakes.

Aurelio is back in the nick of time

Over the last several games, Insua has had the chance to showcase his exciting potential (link), to the extent that he looked like cementing his place in the first team. Unfortunately though, Insua has decided to attend the Under-20 South American Championships with Argentina, which lasts for a month.

Fortunately for us, Aurelio made his return from injury, coming on as a sub against Preston last Saturday. Given that we've got Everton and Chelsea coming up in the next month [link], he should have enough time to work on his fitness and provide us with the quality we need at left back.

Alonso in a brace, Keane should've scored a brace

The prospect of facing Preston North End in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, was hardly ever going to whet the appetite. So for a borderline 'meaningless match', the last thing you want is to see any of your better players picking up any injuries. Sadly that's exactly what appears to have happened with Alonso, the extent of his injury should become clear in a couple of days.

Keane is a player whose confidence should have been riding high coming into this match, but he missed several glaring opportunities to score, never mind at least hit the target. Hopefully his confidence won't take too hard a bashing.

Apart from the excellent performances of Alonso and Riera (who scored a stunning goal), it was the unselfish actions of Gerrard which really made watching this game worthwhile. It would've been so simple for Gerrard to score himself, but he literally gifted a goal to Torres instead. It was a generous gesture which should help Torres settle quicker after being out for so long.

Victor Palsson is set to sign for Liverpool

With the January transfer window opening, I'm sure we were all hoping to see a high profile signing or two take place, but for now we'll have to content ourselves with the signing of another midfielder to strengthen our youth ranks.

Victor Palsson, who turned 18 today, is reputedly a strong midfielder who had a successful trial with us back in October. He's from Iceland, but plays first team football for Danish side AGF. His signing is subject to the successful completion of a medical.

I appreciate there's only a couple hundred people from Iceland and Denmark who visit this blog each week, but if by any chance any of you know anything more about this midfield starlet feel free to enlighten the rest of us.