Manchester City's trip to Anfield is a game Liverpool FC dare not lose

Put simply, this is a game that Liverpool cannot afford to lose; it's going to be a stiff enough task climbing back into the top four from our current position.

But if City happen to take another three points off us, we are going to find problems in trying to pass so many rivals in the second half of the campaign; for that reason alone, we can't slip up again.

That, however, is easier said than done, as Mark Hughes has an expensively assembled squad that is capable of scoring goals at any given time.

Sparky is a shrewd guy and will be enjoying being in the position where money is no object if he wants to go out and sign a player and there's no doubt that he's made some interesting purchases during the calendar year.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Joleon Lescott, Kolo Toure, Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez all attracted big headlines to go with their huge transfer fees but Sparky's best buy of the lot, in my opinion, has been their goalkeeper.

Shay Given has been responsible for securing a number of points for City already and his penalty save at Birmingham just before the international break showed him to be right at the top of his game.

Yet, despite his best efforts, City have still been conceding a lot of goals in the last month and that must give Rafa Benitez and his players hope they can capitalise.

City's arrival signals the start of a massive eight days for Liverpool and it is inconceivable that our poor run continues against Debreceni and Everton - the time has come, then, to see the Reds' fighting qualities.

Reina needs a clean sheet

LIVERPOOL'S poor defensive record has attracted much criticism and nobody will be more frustrated than Pepe Reina.

While some of his colleagues have not hit last year's highs yet, Reina's form has been excellent and it will be causing him some angst that he has not been keeping clean sheets.

He is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, he is a strong character and his distribution is second to none.

But until the men in front stop making silly errors to leave Reina exposed, clean sheets won't arrive. Hopefully, though, normal service will soon resume.

Javier Mascherano needs to ignore transfer speculation and focus on Liverpool FC

SO another weekend has passed with another story linking Javier Mascherano with a move to Barcelona.

It was good to read in the ECHO yesterday that Liverpool quickly dismissed the speculation, as he is an important player.

But the time has now come for Argentina's captain to back up the faith many have shown in him with a string of top displays for the Reds at this most crucial period.

I don't know where the stories are coming from and you tend to find they only emerge when a team is having a bad patch.

It doesn't do any good, though, and you must hope it doesn't prove too unsettling.

In my view, Barcelona are not a bigger club than Liverpool and he would do well to remember he was given a chance here when things were going badly for him.

Keeping Bellamy quiet is vital

MANCHESTER CITY have a fine array of strikers but the one who could cause most problems is the man best known to Liverpudlians.

Craig Bellamy has had a dazzling start to the season and has left some people tipping him to be a contender for Player of the Year if he keeps it up.

He plays with his heart on his sleeve and there is no doubt whatsoever he will be fired up for his return to Anfield, absolutely desperate to prove a point.

I know how thrilled Craig was to sign for Liverpool in 2006 and I was disappointed that he ended up moving on so quickly but that's what happens in footbal.

You could say Liverpool have missed him but there is no point dwelling on that - keeping Craig quiet this weekend is all that matters.