FA Cup won't save Reds' season

But the run gives them much-needed confidence in their fight to finish in the top four

Gary Lim

Sports Editor

Apr 10, 2015 06:00 am

QUARTER-FINAL REPLAY

BLACKBURN ROVERS 0

LIVERPOOL 1

(Philippe Coutinho 70)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said that reaching the FA Cup semi-final was not about saving their season.

And he's right. It really isn't about that.

Even a victory in Wembley will do little to soothe the pain or mitigate the disappointment of a possible loss in the race to the top four.

Philippe Coutinho's wonderful 70th-minute winner in the 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in yesterday morning's (Singapore time) FA Cup quarter-final replay earned them a meeting with Aston Villa in the last four.

It also presented Liverpool with a perfect distraction from their Premiership woes.

But nothing more.

The FA Cup should not be seen as possible redemption.

The FA Cup final is not a Champions League final, and not even a Europa League decider. It doesn't come close to matching them in terms of prestige or financial rewards.

To, therefore, suggest that Liverpool should focus on winning the domestic cup and somehow turn this into a successful season is ludicrous.

What this FA Cup victory can potentially deliver, however, is a psychological lift for Liverpool to arrest a nosedive in form and to push themselves all the way to the Premiership finish line.

Seven points separate them from fourth-placed Manchester City, and the task of securing a Champions League spot looks tough, given there are only seven matches to go.

But it's not a lost cause Liverpool are fighting. Far from it.

COMEBACK

City should know, as they once walked in Liverpool's shoes.

Back in the 2011/12 season, they trailed bitter rivals Man United by eight points with only six games remaining, but ended up snatching the league crown from their neighbours on goal difference.

Much rests on the Reds' appetite for a slugfest. For they have a favourable run-in compared to the rest of those fighting to be in the top four.

Mathematically, all four teams above Rodgers' side are within reach but realistically, Liverpool's best chance lies in overtaking one of the two Manchester clubs.

Liverpool are favourites to win all seven remaining league games bar one - against Chelsea.

If they somehow pull off the feat at Stamford Bridge on May 10, it may spark a grandstand finale to the annual race for a coveted Champions League slot.

Liverpool are banking on Man City to drop more than seven points until the end of the season to stand a chance.

Who's to say the Citizens, at their most wobbly in recent years, won't?

Three tough fixtures await them.

This Sunday, they play Man United at Old Trafford. Should they lose, and Liverpool beat Newcastle at Anfield the following day, the gap will be cut to four points.

Their games against Tottenham Hotspur (away) and Southampton (home) don't look like walkovers, too.

Man United, who are eight points ahead of Liverpool, have arguably the toughest run of matches.

The Manchester Derby is followed by an away fixture against Chelsea, then a trip to Everton. They also face Arsenal at Old Trafford in their penultimate match of the season.

But, first things first.

Liverpool must put themselves in the right frame of mind for the challenge ahead.

Their rivals can slip up only if the Reds continue to put the pressure on them.

The FA Cup is their confidence-booster, not their salvation.

REMAINING EPL FIXTURES

LIVERPOOL Position: 5th

Points: 54

GD: +9