The end of the Premier Leagues’ big four?

By: Tom Mallows

The sight of Steven Gerrard limping off the Goodison turf on Wednesday night was the last thing Reds fans wanted to see. Despite having a squad littered with international stars the skipper remains their inspiration, and like it or not, they are not the same side without him.

With the sale of Robbie Keane the previous Monday, Gerrard’s injury could not have come at a worse time for the Premier League’s second placed team, who now have serious problems up front. This comes after a nightmare month of January which saw them slip behind a seemingly relentless Manchester United and manager, Rafa Benitez, come under intense media pressure following his already infamous “rant” at Sir Alex Ferguson. Add to this the boardroom tensions between the two American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, plus a £350 million bank loan that needs to repaid at the end of the season, it all adds up to an uncertain future for the Anfield club.

But Liverpool haven’t been the only member of the so called “big four” to have had their problems this season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is admirable in his loyalty to the club's young players. But as the last few members of his 2004 “untouchables” side moved on the summer they were not replaced. Wenger choosing instead to rely on cheaper, younger signings. The result? Well, the young players have all the talent in the world but the lack of old heads mean the Gunners now have a soft under belly. They have slipped to disappointing defeats to the likes of Fulham and Hull already this season and find themselves five points adrift of fourth place. Wenger refuses to risk the clubs future by overspending and is understandably proud to say that the club makes a profit year on year. But what the price of failing to qualify for the Champions league? New Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis insists the club can cope without the extra prize money. But as the club has struggled to compete financially even with a Champions League place, what will happen if it is taken away?

Meanwhile across London Chelsea’s season has started to stutter. They began the campaign in spectacular style, playing free-flowing attacking football, especially away from home.

But off the pitch rumours were spreading about owner Roman Abramovich’s commitment to the club. The Russian billionaire angrily dismissed claims he was considering selling the club and denied reports he had lost much of his fortune during the credit crunch. But despite the denials it still created an air of uncertainty around Stamford Bridge, which was exacerbated when results started to go against them. They lost their 86 game unbeaten home run to Liverpool in October and have since lost to Arsenal and Manchester United. They now find themselves five points off the top, and just five points away from fifth. If the rumours about Abramovich do turn out to be true, the dream could turn into a nightmare for Scolari’s men.

So from previously looking untouchable at the top of the Premier League, three of the top four are starting to wobble, leaving the door to Champions League riches ajar.

But is there anyone out there to grasp the opportunity?

Well the football odds suggest Aston Villa are best placed to make the leap. They have performed magnificently this season after some astute purchases from boss Martin O’Neill and look to have the squad to maintain their good form. Everton were the last team to break the top four monopoly in 2005 and find themselves handily placed to do so again. But with limited money and a small squad it remains to be seen whether they can last the pace.

The global economic crisis has brought money and finance into sharp focus. It appears football is no longer immune to the cyclical nature of the world economy. If one of the big four are to fall this season, the economic consequences could be catastrophic.

Written by Tom Mallows, an online sports writer for Betfair. Check them out for the latest Cheltenham odds.