Liverpool Toil Again

Liverpool lost their third Premier League game in a row at Sunderland on Saturday as yet again they failed to recapture their cup form when playing for points. The bookies still make the Reds 4/11 (SkyBet) to finish inside the top six despite their current position of seventh, five points behind Newcastle.

With potential European football still up for grabs for a number of sides, there may be some value to be had on backing a surprise package to sneak into the top six, or in the case of Newcastle, staying there. The Magpies continue to confound their critics; Pardew’s side are a best price of 5/2 (Bluesquare) to finish where they are or higher.

After beating Dalglish’s team, Sunderland have suddenly crept within two points of Liverpool having played one game more. Martin O’Neill’s chargers are in from 40/1 yesterday to a best price of 25/1 (Bet365) to claim a remarkable top six finish. The Mackems were in the relegation zone when the man from Northern Ireland took over in December.

The other Merseysiders are also breathing down their neighbours’ necks after Everton beat Spurs on Saturday evening. The Toffees are just two points behind the Anfield club from the same number of fixtures. Moyes’ boys are 28/1 (Bet365) to make the top half dozen come the end of the campaign.

Even Fulham (40/1 Bluesquare) and Stoke (66/1 Bet365) are just three points behind Liverpool, although both have played a game more.