When we saw this headline Mirror.co.uk - News - REDS GET CRICKET KIT we feared that the Liverpool squad were ready to treat us to another “White Suit” final. Back in 1996 Liverpool faced Manchester United in the final, which was held on the site where this season’s final was meant to be held. Liverpool’s so-called “Spice Boys” turned up at Wembley for the FA Cup final wearing suits that were not quite white. Close enough to white though, and close enough to get ridicule for the team and the club.

That final has to go down as one of the worst final in history. Neither side deserved to win, the game was heading for a replay which might at least have allowed for some entertainment, until an over-rated Frenchman got lucky with a shot. That’s how I saw it, and I’m not changing my mind 10 years later.

The fact neither side deserved to win, that until that point neither side had any control over the game is of course lost in the history of the FA Cup. The scoreline was 1-0. The photos of the cup being presented to the winners don’t feature any Liverpool players. The losers, Liverpool, are only pictured arriving in their white suits, and those suits are blamed for all that went wrong with Liverpool at that time. If Liverpool had turned up in black or dark grey suits they would still have lost the final, but the suits wouldn’t be blamed.

We thought the lesson had been learned. No white suits for Liverpool squads. Any player found buying his own to be given a fine of one-week’s wages and extra press ups. So why all of a sudden are the squad gearing up to be walking around on the pitch pre-game wearing cricket gear? White trousers, whites shirts, white pullovers? Or as near to white as matters. White shoes too? No this can’t be right.

Thankfully, it wasn’t. Cricket is actually the name of a fancy shop in Liverpool. A lot of the player’s wives go there, reportedly. So, we might be safe after all. It’s just a coincidence. At least we hope it is. And although we’ve long since given up hope for him over his hair, we also hope Djibs isn’t in charge of his own wardrobe that day.

Whatever he’s wearing, wherever he might be going as the summer goes on, we’d be very happy indeed if Djibs became the latest Frenchman to score the winner in the FA Cup final

So it all goes down to the wire for Liverpool in the hunt for second place. Saturday saw Manchester United lose 3-0 to Chelsea and Liverpool beat Aston Villa 3-1. That meant Liverpool had closed the gap on United to level-pegging, and the goal difference advantage United had was cut to just four goals. United had a game in hand at that stage.

Tonight United went out against Boro hoping for three points but managed only one in what had been their game in hand. Now both sides have one game left each. This is at the weekend with both matches kicking off at 3pm on Sunday. Liverpool travel to Portsmouth, who are now safe from relegation. United play host to Charlton, whose manager Alan Curbishley will be taking charge for the last time.
If United win their game on Saturday they take 2nd place. There’s nothing at all Liverpool can do about that, other than reflecting on how they should have won against United at Old Trafford in January. United would have 83 points, the most Liverpool could get is 82.

If United draw then Liverpool need to win. United would then finish on 81 points, Liverpool on 82.

If United lose then Liverpool need to win. United would then finish on 80 points, Liverpool on 82.

If United lose 5-0 then Liverpool need to draw. United and Liverpool would then finish on 80 points, but Liverpool’s goal difference would be +30 compared to United’s +29.

In other words, Liverpool need to win, United must not win. If the Reds win and the Mancs don’t, Liverpool get second place. Could Charlton hold United to a draw? It’s possible if unlikely. Portsmouth may have been heading for relegation until they were saved at the weekend, but they are no pushovers. Still, it means there’s something to play for in the league for the Reds right up until the last day of the season, which keeps the players in competitive frame of mind ready for the FA Cup final the following weekend. It would be nice if the Reds were playing that game knowing they’d avoided the qualfying stage of the Champions League for next season.

Remaining fixtures, Sunday 7th May, 3pm BST:
Man Utd v Charlton
Portsmouth v Liverpool

Current Table:
2nd Man Utd Pld: 37 GD: 34 Pts: 80
3rd Liverpool Pld: 37 GD: 30 Pts: 79