Whatever the fate of Steven Gerrard in the coming weeks in the courts, there can be no doubting his impact on the playing pitch.

And it is there where he can lead Liverpool to their first title success since 1990 and, at the same time, make Rafael Benitez a hero in one part of Scouserland.

Liverpool are a generous 5-2 in what is really a three-horse race with Man United and Chelsea.

Rafa’s boys hold a three-point advantage over the Londoners and are seven ahead of United who have two games in hand.

There may be a long way to go yet, but any points advantage in the bag is a big plus for the Reds, especially the way they are playing away from home - one defeat in 10 and still without key players including Fernando Torres.

If they had not drawn four times at home in games they should have won, they would have been well down the road to that title which has not graced Anfield in 18 years.

United are their biggest threat but the Red Devils, like Chelsea, are not as good as they were and for those heavy-hitters, Liverpool at 2-9 without the other two, is an absolute gift.

United are the 11-8 favourites to hold on to their crown with Chelsea at 15-8.

Taking United and Liverpool in a combined wager to level stakes would still make for a profit on the basis that Chelsea do not spoil the party.

As for the relegation struggle it has become a battle royale and, judging by their last show against Liverpool, Newcastle are a decent bet at 5-1 to slip through the net.

West Brom and Stoke City remain odds-on for the exit gate but I would not be so sure about Stoke.

Manager Tony Pulis knows what it takes to survive and he’ll soon sort out the spat between Ricardo Fuller and skipper Andy Griffin.

Meanwhile, following Gerrard’s admission that his favourite musical artists are Coldplay and Phil Collins, Paddy Power are offering betting on which song sparked the fracas that led to the Liverpool skipper’s arrest in the early hours of Monday morning.

Coldplay’s “A Rush of Blood to the Head” is 5-1 favourite with Phil Collins’ classic rock ballad “In the Air Tonight” in at 6s.

Other Phil Collins hits include “Both Sides of the Story” at 12-1 and “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven” (20-1).

Less fancied but possibly more appropriate songs include the Kaiser Chiefs hit “I Predict A Riot” at 7-1 and the Liverpool anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at 16s.

What song sparked the Liverpool fracas? 5-1 A Rush Of Blood To The Head by Coldplay; 6-1 In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins; 7-1 I Predict a Riot by the Kaiser Chiefs; 8-1 Viva La Loca by Coldplay; 9-1 You Can't Hurry Love by Phil Collins; 10-1 God Put A Smile Upon Your Face by Coldplay; Warning Sign by Coldplay; 12-1 Both Sides Of The Story by Phil Collins 16-1 Separate Lives by Phil Collins; You’ll Never Walk Alone; Fix You by Coldplay; A Groovy Kind Of Love by Phil Collins.

Hold fire on skinny Harry

The sparkling show by Diamond Harry in the Callow Hurdle at Newbury on Monday has seen the Nick Williams -trained hurdler installed a very short 3-1 favourite for the Ballymore Properties Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

The race has always provided a pointer for the future - it was won by Gold Cup winner Denman and Grand National hero Bindaree - and Devon trainer Nick Williams and jockey Timmy Murphy have something to go to war with.

Unbeaten records all come to an end and there is no place more able to shatter dreams than Prestbury Park in the heat of battle.

But Harry has yet to be given a serious race and that’s why he has raced to the front of the ante-post betting market.

But Irish trainer Willie Mullins may have a thing or two to say about the outcome of this particular race with his Mikael D’Haguenet who has already blown apart the reputation of Noel Meade’s Pandorama.

Hurricane Fly and Cousin Vinny are also in the mix at this stage.

Short prices at this time of the year are the way to the poor house and, anyway, there’s no guarantee that Diamond will go for this race.

While better to wait and see how things pan out, there is no doubt Diamond Harry is a serious propsect for top honours but there are enough question marks at this point in the season to hold fire.

His next outing will be at Cheltenham next month when we should learn a bit more.

--------------------------------------------------

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan is 8-11 with William Hill never to play another Test match.

And that makes for evens that he will and that bet should be taken as he is more than capable of a comeback.

Vaughan has been left out of the tour to the West Indies and question marks now surround his England future.

The Yorkshireman led England to that exciting Ashes victory in 2005 and was being tipped to go to the Caribbean with a view to taking part in the next contest with the Australians in England next summer.

But it has all gone pear-shaped for Mike who, at 34, has had little opportunity to make his comeback since standing down last summer.

One-day international Owais Shah and the inconsistent Ian Bell have been preferred for the number three position in the West Indies.

Vaughan is 1-2 not to play in the first Ashes Test of 2009 and that has to be more than likely.

England are 10-11 to win the four-match Windies series which begins in early February.

M Vaughan specials: 1-2 not to start first Ashes Test (6-4 to start); 8-11 not play another Test (Evens to play).