Out Of Their Hands

Liverpool go in to Tuesday night's game against Debrecen knowing that victory may not be enough to keep them in the Champions League. If Fiorentina beat an already qualified Lyon in Florence, Liverpool's European adventure for this season will be over, regardless of the result in Hungary.

For an English team to go out of the Champions League in the group stages is almost unthinkable, after all England has begun to take a strangle hold on the competition in the past few seasons. After an all English final in 2008, three of last season's semi-finalists were from these shores, despite Barcelona being the eventual winners.

The biggest mistake that Liverpool could make is taking the win against Debrecen as read. Most would expect the Reds to pick up three points and then hope for Lyon to get a result. But this is a Liverpool team out of form, particularly on their travels. They have not won in their last six away games in all competitions.

Debrecen still harbour slim hopes of finishing in third and claiming a Europa League spot and despite losing all four of their group games, have not been disgraced. They ran Liverpool close at Anfield, only losing 1-0, and scored five goals in the two defeats against Fiorentina.

I'm sure Rafa Benitez will drum into his players before the game to forget about events in Italy and just concentrate on what they can affect, beating Debrecen.

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As if it hadn't been a bad enough week for the Republic Of Ireland, then came news of the seedings for the Euro 2012 qualification groups, for which the draw takes place in February.

After coming agonisingly close to World Cup qualification, Ireland have found themselves placed in pot 3 among the likes of Scotland, Norway and Austria as well as their neighbours from the north.

This must surely come as yet another huge kick in the teeth. There were Ireland fans, consoling their anger and disappointment with the thoughts that surely qualification for the next major tournament would be made easier after such a gutsy performance.

What must be more annoying would be to take a peek at the sides seen as better than them. Given a generous position in pot 1 are Croatia, a side who failed to even make the play-offs in World Cup qualifying and among other sides to have disappointing campaigns in pot 2 feature Romania and Sweden.

Ok, I know this is largely based on at past European Championship tournaments where the above mentioned sides have performed well, but you would think UEFA would use some common sense and take into account the most recent competitive performances of nations.

Henry's Reputation Tarnished?

Likeable, genuine and probably the best player the Premier League has seen. These are the words I would have used to describe Thierry Henry before Wednesday night's crucial World Cup play-off between France and Republic Of Ireland.

Now he is been branded a cheat after blatantly handling the ball before teeing up William Gallas to score in extra time to send France to the World Cup and break Irish hearts.

Looking at the incident myself I would have to say it was deliberate, there was a definite move towards and then control of the ball by Henry's hand. It may have been instinctive though. The ball would have gone out for a goal kick and with time running out, this was a desperate move by a player desperate to appear at the World Cup, possibly his last.

I am not saying it was right, of course not, it was cheating because it's against the rules. If it had happened against England I'm sure I'd be outraged. The Irish have every right to feel aggrieved. I don't feel the referee can be blamed either. It happened so fast and nobody knew until they saw the replays afterwards. In fact the referee had earlier spotted Nicolas Anelka's dive although not deciding to book the player.

There have also been suggestions that Henry should have gone over to the ref to admit what he had done. Would this have not risked the wrath of the French, especially if they had gone on to lose? And would the referee even have changed his mind? I seem to remember Robbie Fowler once saying he hadn't been touched by David Seaman after a penalty had been given during a game at Highbury. The referee refused to admit he was wrong and Fowler went on to miss the penalty.

It looks like calls for a replay, which is the least Ireland deserve, have been turned away and in truth this was never going to happen. Every time there was an incident in a game that a referee didn't spot, teams would call for a replay because Ireland were given one. Indeed Birmingham could ask for a replay at Anfield after David N'Gog's dive (though I'm sure they would settle for a point).

Thierry Henry is still a very talented player and always will be remembered for what he did for Arsenal over the first half of this decade, but you sense that he won't be quite seen in the same light by many which is a great shame.

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Big Game For Both Clubs At Anfield

The Premier League makes a welcome return tomorrow after yet another international break, as eventful as it turned out to be. The biggest game of the weekend is first up, a Saturday lunch time duel between an out of sorts Liverpool and Manchester City.

For Liverpool a win is surely a must if any lingering title hopes are to be kept alive, especially with both Chelsea and Manchester United both playing at home and expected to take maximum points. Liverpool have won just one of their last five Premier League games and currently sit in seventh. Rafa Benitez may also have one eye on Tuesday night's must win Champions League match against Debrecen.

As for Manchester City, they need to prove they have what it takes to compete with the big boys. Of course, they don't have to win at Anfield to prove they are a good side. Current champions Manchester United lost twice against Liverpool last season and have already once this.

But after the feeling of injustice City felt at Old Trafford after that late, late Michael Owen winner, here is a chance for City to take advantage of Liverpool's uncharacteristically leaky defence. City themselves have gone off the boil of late, drawing their last five league games. If Mark Hughes' men are serious about finishing in the top four, here lies the perfect opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the reds.

It's a close one to call, but I would sit on the fence and call a draw. I think right now Hughes would take that.