If Not Liverpool, Then?

Perhaps it is time that the more pessimistic Liverpool fans resign themselves to a season without Champions League football. Once you're done stomaching that bloodied punch, you can't help but wonder who should carry the English beacon forward.

Now, there is nothing anti-Liverpool about this assertion of course. It is simply an inquest into another team which can respectably carry the English beacon forward.

And since there are there are three other very strong candidates gunning for the coveted Champions League spot, it makes for an interesting analysis of things. So here is a perhaps not so detailed look into the rivals who might (God forbid) usurp the fourth spot.

Manchester City:

Perhaps the best equipped of the lot, should Champions League football come knocking on the doors of Eastlands, their Sheikh will undoubtedly not give a second thought at lavishing the team with prized assets across Europe. And while Torres is perhaps a bit more ambitious than to play for City (IF, a big IF, he leaves Liverpool), they have quite a few investment options available. Add to that, they also have a manager who has sufficient experience in Europe (if not a successful one) and a couple of new star players could make all the difference. And with a bit of self confidence, their deep pockets can get them past the group stages without much hassle.

Tottenham Hotspur: I'll probably let Spurs go in to the Champions League at Liverpool's expense with minimal heart-ache as Spurs are a team that I genuinely like and feel for sometimes. They've been knocking on the doors of the Champions League; 2006 was an absolute heartbreak year for a team which lost the plot on the last day. Spurs also play really attractive football and have a good team who understand each other and play remarkably well with each other. Palacios and Huddlestone form a formidable midfield partnership and Harry Redknapp can always rely on Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and Niko Kranjcar to add a touch of magic. They are also spoilt for choice with strikers as Pavlyuchenko continues his revengeful scoring form and Defoe and Crouch are quality strikers already. And throw in a tough manager to boot whom I really respect. They have the squad. Only if they would stop choking at the key moments...

Aston Villa: Another team which deserves to go through is Aston Villa. Assembled with relatively meagre funds, Villa have really shown that hey have the desire to back up their aspirations. Young and Milner have done exceptionally well this season and it won't come as a big surprise to anyone if them along with Agbonlahor are earmarked by Fabio Capello for the World Cup squad. The lack of depth in their squad threatens to let them down a bit, but surely the anticipation of Champions League money will get Martin O'Neill to buy. And the Richard Dunne signing this year shows that Martin O'Neill has a keen eye for things...

Quite frankly, if I were asked to choose a team to go into Europe at Liverpool's expense, I'd want the team to be Spurs. They have a good side, have great depth and above all, on their day, play dazzling football and are a side to be reckoned with at home. I hope Liverpool can pull a surprise, but if they don't, it's Spurs for me.