Reds On Borrowed Time.

Liverpool's latest 1-2 home defeat at relegation battling Wigan sums up the dreadful league record at Anfield this season. The Reds have now won just 5 of their 15 home league games this season. They have failed to beat the likes of Sunderland, Norwich, Swansea, Blackburn,Stoke and now, Wigan.

Their form away from home hasn't been that good as well. The truth is they have won only one more game away, 6 of their 15 away league games. They have lost more on the road, losing more than half of their games played away from Anfield.

Considering the hefty amount of money spent rebuilding the squad during off season, honestly, I'm not sure if you will call the season a success. Sure, they won the Carling Cup. But it has always been the least prioritized of the four competitions the Reds have challenged for this season. Besides, they barely won the final against Cardiff, but that's another story.

Oh yes,they've made it to the FA Cup semi finals and a potential mouth watering Merseyside derby clash awaits. It will be interesting to see how the Reds manage that one. Though, I won't be surprised if they do well. Afterall, it is what's left off their season. Let's see, if the Reds do actually lift the FA Cup. Will we call it a successful season then? I suspect not.

After years of rebuilding under various managers and the turning of umpteen corners, the Red's success will still be judged on how high they finish in the table. They are currently 7th, a MASSIVE 28 points off the top and 15 points off a Champion's League spot. They are only THREE points ahead of newly promoted Swansea and Norwich, and judging by the free fall (quite possibly attributed to the lack of motivation in the league), it's anyone's guess where Liverpool will eventually finish in the table.

If there is no success, well, is there at least progress? I'm not convinced on that as well, at least in the fire power department. The Reds have scored only 36 goals in the league this season. Norwich and Blackburn have scored more goals. Andy Carroll has not settled. Luis Suarez, with all the talent, is still not the primary source of goals for a team. Steven Gerrard has been hampered with injury. The Reds desperately need more striking options.

In terms of squad depth, we are clearly not there. King Kenny has attributed the recent defeats to weariness from progressing too far into the cup competitions. It really means that there is no squad depth.

If this season was a couple of years back, you'll probably have fans calling for the axe. But because the man at the helm is a certain King Kenny, he comes with extra time. Though, you must be worried for him if he doesn't turn things around. The coming off season will be a monumental one.

If you look closely, the Reds are quite possibly running on borrowed time.

Carling Cup Semi Finals 2nd Leg: Liverpool 2 Manchester City 2

Craig Bellamy, in his second spell with the club he supported as a boy, scores the winning aggregate goal at the Kop End 16 minutes from time, against his former club and manager, Roberto Mancini, he so bitterly fell out with, prolonging Manchester City's 9 year wait for their next victory at Anfield, and setting up a sentimental final against Cardiff, city of birth and another of his former clubs, as Liverpool return to Wembley for the first time in 16 years and attempt to end a trophy drought dating back to 2006.

Phew (catch your breath), the Football Gods could not have scripted it any better.

Carling Cup Semi Finals 2nd Leg: Liverpool v Manchester City

Liverpool hold a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg of their Carling Cup Semi finals match up at home with BPL leaders Manchester City, courtesy of a Steven Gerrard penalty.

This is Anfield and it hasn't been the same this season. The Reds' home form has been anything but spectacular. Sunderland, Swansea, Norwich, Stoke and Blackburn have all taken a point home from Anfield. Though, a draw is all they need tomorrow to book their tickets to Wembley for the first time since the "Spice boys" era in 1996.

However unspectacular their form may have been at Anfield this season, it's interesting to note that since Kenny Dalglish's return, the Reds have only lost once in 23 games at home.

On the other hand, Manchester City haven't won at Anfield for 9 years and they will need to win tomorrow in order to advance.

Liverpool will be missing Luis Suarez while Manchester City will be missing Yaya Toure, Mario Balotelli and Vincent Kompany.

Both teams approach the tie under very different circumstances. Liverpool were pathetic in their 1-3 away defeat at struggling Bolton. Manchester City are still on cloud 9 after their dramatic stoppage time 3-2 win over title rivals Spurs at White Hart Lane.

The Reds were blamed for being distracted by the upcoming cup ties against the Manchester sides. Honestly, we understand why. With the title already out of sight and a top 4 finish increasingly becoming a distant reality, cup success naturally becomes their best chance of winning silverware. Not to mention that Carling Cup success will automatically earn them an express ticket to Europa football next season. We know it's not Champion's League football but at the rate which the Reds are marching on this season, Europa football is better than no European football next season.

This is Anfield and indeed it hasn't been the same but a draw is all they need. For all that has been said, the Prancing Phoenix sticks out our neck for Liverpool to avoid defeat and set up a Liverpool v Cardiff final.

Prediction: Liverpool to avoid defeat and progress
Outcome : 2-2 draw. Reds progress. :)