Squeaky Bum Time

Tuesday, 20th October 2009 at 12:10pm

It's getting to the stage of the season the Sir Alex Ferguson famously once described as, "squeaky bum time". Despite being Manchester United manager for over two decades, conducting thousands of interviews in the process, this remains one of his most frequently quoted soundbites and with just eight or nine games remaining - depending on which team you support - Fergie's words may have never been more appropriate.

After a two-week gap for international fixtures the race for the title is ready to take center stage once more.

But first, rewind to February 28. It appeared that Manchester United were going to walk away with the title. Liverpool suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Riverside to leave the Reds stranded seven points behind the defending champions, having played a game more.

That same weekend, United lifted the Carling Cup - their second trophy of the season - and the whole team appeared to be brimming with confidence. It seemed that Rafa Benitez's tirade at Fergie had backfired.

After overcoming Sunderland at Anfield, Liverpool entered into the make or break weekend for their entire season; Real Madrid at home and Manchester United away. Madrid expected Liverpool to approach the match in a negative frame of mind, desperate to defend the one goal advantage from the Bernabeu.

Benitez, however, had other ideas, finally letting his charges off the leash and was rewarded with a breathtaking performance that blew Madrid away. The result proved invaluable. It restored the belief amongst the fans and restored the confidence of Fernando Torres, who ripped his old foes to shreds in the first half.Fernando Torres

So to Old Trafford. Despite Liverpool's new surge in confidence, it was United that started the stronger. As the visitors began to get a foothold in the match, United struck through a penalty from Ronaldo. Liverpool fans began to fear the worst. Instead of falling apart, the idols of the traveling support responded and the presence of Torres scared Nemanja Vidic witless. The normally rock solid Serb had an afternoon to forget and was at fault for Liverpool's equaliser and was eventually sent off in the second half for a foul on Gerrard.

With a new found confidence, the score at 1-1 and United's once impregnable defence looking visibly shaken, the reds roared back to thump United 4-1, inflicting their biggest home defeat since 1992.

Despite such a handsome win, Liverpool still trailed United by four points, again having played an extra match. A quick glance at the fixture list revealed that on Saturday, United were away at Fulham - a team they had brushed aside 4-0 in the FA Cup - and on Sunday, Liverpool were at home to Aston Villa, still trying to cling onto the final Champions League spot. United could open the gap to seven points once again.

With the footballing world expecting them to bounce back from their loss at home, an energized Fulham inflicted a painful defeat on the champions,opening the door for Liverpool to haul themselves even closer. The chance was there an they took it, smashing five past a tired-looking Villa.

In a strange reversal of fixtures this weekend, it is Liverpool who travel to Fulham and United who entertain Aston Villa, grateful no doubt for the two week break. Sir Alex too would have been glad of the break that has given his side a chance to lick their wounds and regroup.

The international break was the worst thing that could have happened to Liverpool. The Reds had finally built up "the big mo" as Phil McNulty put it in his BBC blog and would have been desperate to keep playing.

What would have been more troubling for Liverpool fans is that Fernando Torres has returned injured from an international break on numerous occasions this season. They will pray that he doesn't fall foul of another injury tonight.

Brad Friedel, sent off against Liverpool, received a reprieve and will be back in the Villa line up for Sunday's match. How ironic it will be should his appearance help put another dent in the once free flowing United juggernaut.

Intriguingly, by the time United face Villa at Old Trafford, Liverpool could - and should - be sitting at the top of the Premeirship courtesy of beating Fulham. If that is indeed the case, then the pressure will firmly be on the Red Devils and it will be "squeaky bum" time for all those in the red half of Manchester.

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