another difference is that Barca's youth program is so much better than liverpool's considering most of their players came thru their youth academy.

Think Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Bojan, Pique, Puyol, Sergio and Valdes.

That's is like half of the 1st 11 already...not forgetting Fabregas too. Given the array of talent around it is easy for new comers to settle in as well.

Anyhow it is the managers job to bring the best out of his players. and Rafa dont seem to be doing it well this season. Alonso is a lost indeed

dude, u cannot compare those one-off games to under performing for the best part of a season.
True that Liverpool suffered from the lost of Xabi Alonso as a deep lying playmaker, but that shouldn't be a major factor, given Liverpool's credentials.

United lost Ronaldo and Tevez, 2 of their most important players in season past, who tends to pop up with a goal or 2. Rooney stepped up, even Nani to a certain extend.

Arsenal lost Toure and Adebayor. Thou they are considered bad-blood of the team, no Arsenal fans can argue with their contributions in seasons past.

Nothing much can be said about Chelsea apart from their aging squad.

Injuries too happen to every team in the top 4. Its just a matter of other squad players... be it Lucas or Ngog to take up the responsibility and cover for them. You cannot compare and expect them to go what Gerrard or Torres does every week, but for them to fill the gaps and make the lost of the stars not so bad. Like how Mikel covers of Essien in Chelsea.

Sometimes being patient with players is good. Last season Arsenal fans are calling for Diaby's and Eboue's head. This season, they are like some of the more important squad players for them.

Be in monetary issues or management issues, but still, spending some 20M on a player who is deemed as the next best thing, to sit on the bench is quite ridiculous. IMO

^

totally agree. a good team is the one that can play as a team and grind out results when the 'stars' are not present.

dont need to look far, just look at everton. Injury ravaged but able to grind results out when needed.