Former West Ham United goalkeeper Mervyn Day is our man with his finger on the pulse of football. Championship Manager columnist Merv is currently working as a scout for Fulham. . In his latest blog, he tells us why Liverpool's game against Manchester City this weekend will be make or break for their season.
 
Liverpool have it all to do if they want to stay in the top four this year. They have a long injury list, and you have to say without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, they are basically an ordinary team.

When the two of them are in the side, and on form, Liverpool are a top four club. Without either of them they become a normal Premier League team in the next tier.

They are more along the lines of Tottenham, Aston Villa and even Everton, although they're having a torrid time this year. Given the off-the-field scenarios at Anfield, you just don't know what will happen? If the owners aren't united then that causes massive problems for the manager and chief executive.

Which way forward does the club go? I think they are really struggling.

Many around the club say they've still got a chance of getting in the top three, top two or even winning the title but I can't see it. You can't lose and draw that many games in such a short period of time and still expect to challenge.

The lucky thing for them was beating Manchester United. That got a lot of the fans off their back. You win just one game in so many and if that is Man U you're ok for a bit. Rafa has been a bit unlucky with injuries but he can't hide behind the fact it is his squad.

He has signed and sold so many players that he has had the final say on who is there now. It is his team and squad. He has to stand and fall by who he puts out and how they play.

It is a big disappointment for Liverpool fans. After last year, they thought this would be the year they challenged for the title. Now they're nearer the bottom of that set of first half teams than they are the top.

The Manchester City game is massive. It is a real barometer.

Man City have drawn a few games they should have won, like Liverpool, so it will be interesting to see given the investment they have had at Eastlands how they perform in this match.

This fixture will be a pivotal moment in the season for both clubs.