FanHouse

Premier League fans, before you focus your efforts on those "39th Game" protests, take a minute to mark your calendars for March 30. This day could mark a major turning point in the history of two top Premier League clubs.

After yesterday's dreadful draw against Chelsea, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has told his teammates to forget about the league title and focus on finishing fourth, which will secure them a Champions League bid for next season. The club needs that bid in order to earn the money necessary to pay down their exorbitant debt.

Liverpool currently sits in 5th place on the Premier League table, three points clear of that fourth and final Champions League spot. Who's currently in 4th place? Everton, Liverpool's local rivals, who are currently on a six-game unbeaten streak in league play. Everton's only losses in 2008 have come in domestic cup ties.

The Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton is March 30 at Anfield, and that match could very well decide the fate of both these clubs. Don't you think the blue team would relish being able to take their red rivals down a peg, both literally and figuratively?

Games like this are just one reason why the Premier League has become such a global phenomenon. There's more drama here than a full day of programming on TNT. Perhaps the Premier League should be reminded, though, that a game like this wouldn't play nearly as well outside of Merseyside.