Liverpool FC's season of disappointment could still take upwards turn

The visits of Atletico Madrid and Chelsea to Anfield will go a long way to settling the destination of two major trophies - not a bad way to end this most disappointing of seasons.

On Thursday, we're faced with turning round a one-goal deficit for the third Europa League tie on the run.

I'm always wary of these games where you have to win by a certain margin, rather than just concentrate on winning the tie.

Adding to the nervousness is the looming spectre of the dreaded away goal; at least those of us at the game will be spared the TV commentators constantly reminding us of the apparent complexities of the away goal rule, assuming that all football fans have the memory retention of the average goldfish.

With the attacking talent that Atletico possess, it's not difficult to see them scoring at Anfield, as indeed they did last year, which means of course that we'll have to get three to go through (see I told you I was listening).

If Fernando Torres was playing, I'd have no qualms at all about this. Atletico didn't look as good as Benfica to me, and despite the impressive performance of Perea in Madrid, I'd expect their defence to buckle under sustained pressure.

But of course the Sainted One will not be with us, and it looks like David Ngog and Dirk Kuyt may also be missing, which presumably will give Ryan Babel the chance to prove he can be equally ineffective down the middle as on the wing.

While games like this are probably too much for Ngog at this stage, Dirk would be a big loss as he often weighs in with a goal in Europe. Looks like we're going to depend on Gerrard again, with maybe some help form Benayoun. It's going to be tight.

Sunday brings the visit of the Chelsea Pensioners, their ageing side surely having its last tilt at a domestic double before Abramovitch breaks them up and buys up half of Europe to replace them. And of course much will be made of the fact that we could hand the title on a plate to our deadliest rivals up the East Lancs Road, their 19th definitely handing us a nervous breakdown as the old Rolling Stones song goes.

Many of you will consider this too high a price to pay for what will probably turn out to be a meaningless victory over John Terry and co; and I well remember the strange atmosphere that hung over Liverpool's game with Blackburn in 1995 when we faced a similar situation. Some fans actually booed when Barnes and Redknapp scored in that game, and cheered Shearer when he notched what turned out to be a consolation goal. Me, I just couldn't do it.

Much as I loathe the ground Gary Neville walks on, I'll get more joy from bloodying the nose of the nouveau riche from the Fulham Road. And then pray Sunderland nick a point two hours later.