[sportsfan2006]

By Tim Robertson
Inspin.com/WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Liverpool have had the sort of week that can define a season, and it did not go well.

In the space of four days, the Reds twice lost at home to Arsenal -- first exiting the FA Cup at the first hurdle in a 3-1 loss, then suffering a dramatic 6-3 defeat to a young Gunners side in the Carling Cup quarterfinals.

Barring an incredulous repeat of their Champions League victory two years ago -- they must beat reigning Cup holders Barcelona to progress -- Liverpool’s hopes of silverware are over for another season -- but worse, injuries suffered this week will put a big dent in their bid to hold on to a top-four place in the Premiership.

Both Mark Gonzalez and Luis Garcia were carried off on Tuesday night. Gonzalez will be out for at least three weeks with a damaged shin, but Garcia’s injury was far more serious and he will not play again this season.

That will deny him the opportunity to play against former club Barcelona next month.

Losing the versatile Spanish international is a big blow for Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who has asked his players to rebound with a big victory away at Watford on Saturday.

"I hope the result will galvanise everyone at the club, we must concentrate on the Premiership and be firmly focused on what is ahead,” he said. "We can analyse what has happened in these last two games and use that to our benefit in the future.

"The players now understand how important the Premiership is, and we will be ready to face Watford."

With confidence heavily dented and an away record that hardly boosts confidence -- Liverpool have won three and drawn two of 11 contests on the road -- the Reds face the very real prospect of an upset at Vicarage Road.

WagerWeb.com still heavily favours Liverpool at -200 compared to +500 for the Hornets, but Watford played well in a 2-0 defeat at Anfield earlier in the season, and the relegation-battlers are likely to come at Liverpool -- a recipe for success against a side on edge.

That defeat at Watford could even be contemplated shows how far Liverpool have fallen since preseason predictions that they would challenge for the title.

In the wake of Tuesday’s loss, Benitez admitted the club were still miles behind their rivals in building a competitive team.

“We are also looking for young players, but Arsene Wenger has been working on this for 10 years, we have been doing it for just a couple,” the Spanish coach said. "But we need to keep trying our best in the market and work quickly if you have the money.

"And if you have money, then you must work at bringing in the best young players. ... If you want top-class players you must spend money, not only at senior level but at youth level too.”

Benitez has been busy trying to put that into practice this week, sealing an 18-month loan deal for Argentinian defender Emiliano Insua, a six-month loan for young Italian goalkeeper Sebastian Padelli, as well as pursuing the signing of 20-year-old midfielder Sebastian Leto from Lanus in Argentina.

But they are players for the future.

This season is already looking like another lost campaign for Liverpool.


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