Mark Lawrenson is not a man to stick the boot into Liverpool lightly, but even he thinks the current side is ordinary when Steven Gerrard isn't firing on all cylinders. Nonetheless, writing in the Daily Mirror, he still thinks they'll finish fourth.

Even Superman had the odd day off to look after Lois Lane.

That is why even Liverpool's Superman cannot be expected to be their match-winning hero in every game.

Steven Gerrard is Mr Liverpool and is enjoying an improved run of form in recent games.

But you could argue that Gerrard's form has been indifferent this season compared to what he has been like for the past 10 years.

The reason, I believe, is simple. He is not 100 per cent fit because he has not been the all-action, rampaging and determined midfielder this season.

Liverpool need Gerrard to keep their season going in their push for fourth place and the Europa League.

Liverpool look a very ordinary team without Gerrard. Or to put it another way, which Liverpool players would the other members of the top four take if they were given the pick of Anfield?

Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina. Maybe Arsenal would take Javier Mascherano. But Liverpool's squad looks very average.

Emiliano Insua has had a really poor season. Martin Skrtl has been disappointing, Dirk Kuyt works hard and yet there is little invention.

Albert Rieira is another who doesn't really know whether he's coming or going. The trouble is with Rafa Benitez, you never really know what his plans are.

That leaves some players uncertain about which direction they are going in. Then who really offers quality cover for Torres?

David Ngog is clearly a young player with talent but it's a lot to expect him to come in every week and do the business.

Even despite all this, he still doesn't think there'll be any big four break-up this season.

Liverpool have, in fairness, been on a good run, the defeat at Arsenal apart. But even at Arsenal they were well organised, well drilled, hard to break down and difficult to beat.

That's exactly how you can expect them to be against Manchester City in what is going to be billed as fourth place play-off.

City are strong at home, vulnerable away. They need this result and yet Liverpool will make it very hard for them.

That's why I fancy a draw at Eastlands on Sunday and, ultimately, why Liverpool will finish in fourth place.

City are still yet to absolutely convince. Emmanuel Adebayor has been iffy, Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott have cost a lot and yet been unconvincing. If anything, Vincent Kompany is their best defender.

Roberto Mancini has come in, looked at a lot of players, given them chances and is still searching for the right combination.

City are four or five players away from being a top, top team and that's why they will finish fifth and that may not be enough for Mancini and also enough to attract the Champions League calibre of players they need to reach the next level.

Alan Smith in the Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, says Chelsea's clear-the-air talks have come at a crucial time.

"Remember who you are, what you are and who you represent." At one time, that saying got drummed in to every Arsenal player – sometimes successfully, other times not.

Nevertheless, it was a basic reminder of the standards expected at a club who have always tried to do things the right way. Wearing the Arsenal shirt was seen as an honour. On and off the pitch, we were urged to behave with appropriate dignity.

The Chelsea players, it seems, have had a similar reminder this week following tabloid revelations involving John Terry and Ashley Cole. On the insistence, no doubt, of Roman Abramovich, a meeting was called to get things straight.

You can understand their concern, too, for this isn't a club who naturally engender public affection. With a billionaire owner writing handsome cheques, not many people are going to feel sorry when Chelsea's good name takes a heavy hit.

All the money in the world can't buy the right image. That's down to everyone employed at Stamford Bridge.

Crucial, then, that clear-the-air talks were held at this stage, just as the season gears up for its finale. With a Champions League trip to Inter Milan next week and only 12 matches left in the Premier League, Carlo Ancelotti must make sure that the dressing room is ready to tackle the challenge.

If that means he and the chief executive laying down the law in no uncertain terms then so be it. It's time to concentrate on football. Nothing else matters now.