There will as ever need to be a bit of luck involved

Kristy GrimesMedtech Insight, Windhover, FDC Reportsan Elsevier CompanyTel 480 985 9512Fax 480 218 KellMedtech Insighta division of Reed Elsevier949-453-0071 or 888-290-2225 toll-free in the Business Wire 2009. Countless words have been spoken and thousands of column inches written about Liverpool's season thus far.Topics ranging from Xabi Alonso's exit to Alberto Aquilani's fitness, and from Rafael Benitez's job to Jamie Carragher's form have ensured that they have rarely been off the back page in recent months.The reason for this is simple. Some may say it already has.But in Liverpool's two remaining Champions League ties, they have a chance to save the season and salvage hope of an unlikely revival.A common criticism of the Anfield faithful is that they live in the past, always referring to the days when they were the dominant force in football, and look to the future, with next year always seeming to be "their year".Is it because it is easier than living in the presentWherever the fans choose to "live", the fact is that their club is in a perilous position.The upcoming match against Debrecen is arguably the most important of the season, with a win being paramount for Liverpool's chances in the Champions League.Should Fiorentina fail to beat group leaders Lyon, it will all come down to the final game between the two sides.Liverpool never do it the easy way, do theyA win against Debrecen is widely expected, but it is by no means a foregone conclusion. The trip to Hungary makes the bout, which Liverpool narrowly won in the reverse fixture, a somewhat unknown quantity.In the stadium named after one of the greatest footballers of all time, Ferenc Puskas, Liverpool's current crop have a chance to write their names in the history books with a good display.There will, undoubtedly, be many comparisons between the predicament Liverpool find themselves in now and the one in 2005.A good win against Debrecen would create an enormous interest in the Fiorentina match, provided the Italians don't topple Lyon.It would be almost like Olympiakos all over again, where Steven Gerrard emphatically slammed Liverpool through to the next round, before guiding his team to the most unlikely of triumphs.It is, of course, too early and ambitious to suggest any repeat of Istanbul, but tonight's match against Debrecen could prove to be a turning point for Liverpool's floundering season.If results go their way, it would give them the impetus and confidence to believe that they might be able to pull off another Champions League miracle.Confidence is key. Liverpool's run of just one win in ten games is unacceptable by their high standards, and it has surely knocked the self-belief of most of the squad, particularly those who have been given the brunt of the criticism.There will, as ever, need to be a bit of luck involved.

Lyon must avoid defeat against Fiorentina, otherwise the season could go from bad to worse.If they do, then perhaps that will give the players a little spark of belief to join the inevitable flicker of fire that precedes the weekend's Merseyside derby.Such a big match could be the perfect catalyst for Liverpool's revival. But one season's early exit from the Champions League isn't disastrous.What would be disastrous, however, is the failure to secure a top four spot. New Orleans Saints Last Week: 1 Are Thankful For: A cushy first-half schedule that has basically put them in the playoffs already 2. Minnesota Vikings Last Week: 3 Are Thankful For: Somehow being able to add Jared Allen, Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, and Brett Favre in the past few years 4. New England Patriots Last Week: 7 Are Thankful For: The fact that Tom Brady doesn’t mind getting knocked to the ground every ten seconds behind a revolving door offensive line 5. San Diego Chargers Last Week: 6 Are Thankful For: A second chance to put down the Broncos and solidifying their first-place spot in the AFC West 6.

Cincinnati Bengals Last Week: 4 Are Thankful For: Chad Ochocinco selling out all their home games for them The fan apathy in Cincinnati is depressing 7. Arizona Cardinals Last Week: 10 Are Thankful For: A running game making a sudden appearance when they can’t count on Kurt Warner, or…of course, Matt Leinart 8. Pittsburgh Steelers Last Week: 5 Are Thankful For: Ben Rothlisberger being OK, for the most part. Dallas Cowboys Last Week: 8 Are Thankful For: The Washington Redskins offense.

Because, seriously, there’s no way they should’ve won that game otherwise 10. Philadelphia Eagles Last Week: 13 Are Thankful For: Robot Sheldon Brown. I don’t know how, but the guy usually manages to pull through and play, especially when he shouldn't 11. New York Giants Last Week: 14 Are Thankful For: The rollercoaster that is the NFC East somehow managing to keep them in contention for a playoff berth despite their near mid-season collapse 12. Jacksonville Jaguars Last Week: 19 Are Thankful For: The fact that they’re somehow in the wildcard race despite a miserable start to the season and a fan base that has somehow reached negative digits 13 Denver Broncos Last Week: 9 Are Thankful For: The season. While things might not have panned out quite as they’d hoped after a 6-0 start, there's not a Broncos fan out there that wouldn’t have taken 6-4 before the season started 14.