Europa League spot.They obviously like it in that tournament. Despite playing just two matches in the nascent competition, their goal average of four goals scored for every one conceded means it's evidently their kind of place.
Had they managed a smash-and-grab raid for all three points at the DW Stadium, they could have dared to dream about climbing up the table and joining the big guns in the top four.
It's an inspirational example of just what a club lacking in star players and working to a tight budget can achieve.
The Reds are currently sixth in the table, although Aston Villa now have three games in hand with which to overturn a three-point gap.
After that, Rafa Benitez and his
boys will be looking over their shoulders at fellow Europa League hopefuls Everton and Birmingham. If the Blues win their two games in hand, they will be just two points behind the Reds.Things may have been different were it not for a display of Nicklas Bendtner proportions from Fernando Torres. The only difference was that the Spaniard didn't have a high-scoring midfield to cover his tracks.
Instead, in midfield the Reds had Steven Gerrard, the man who led England out on to the Wembley turf last week as their captain. In the tradition of those who wear the England armband in recent times, Stevie G proved himself to be an inspirational figure and role model by appearing to flick a V-sign at referee Andre Marriner, who had the temerity to book him for a scissor-tackle on James McCarthy.
The dreaded 'FA rap' could be on its way to him soon, and no doubt a flea in his ear from Fabio Capello too, who warned his players only last week about their behaviour between now and travelling to South Africa.
As an attacking midfielder
with boundless energy, it would be no surprise if Diego Maradona was one of Gerrard's heroes as a boy. However, emulating the Argentina legend's recent penchant for not-so-sly hand gestures in full glare of the media is not the best habit to pick up on the eve of a World Cup.
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