In the immediate aftermath of last weeks game vs Sunderland I wrote that there was a “fear” that this Liverpool team would follow its predecessors of the last two decades and undermine its latent ability to win the league with a collective mental weakness. Well I had that fear anyway and it had its roots in my belief that the opportunity and potential to be champions is there this season. The belief that while the club and team is a “work in progress”, John Henry’s stewardship, Kenny Dalglish’s management and the balance and talent of the squad make for a potent cocktail that can put us back on the perch United claim to now occupy. The leap from 22 points adrift of the champions to parading the title is unprecedented in one season but still the belief remains. It stems from a faith that success is in the DNA of the club and that over any given 90 minutes the current Reds side will have too much for the opposition if they can only focus and handle the pressure of ambition.
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Yesterday’s victory over Arsenal suggested that this belief might not be totally misguided. Over the last 21 years I have lost count of the occasions when a Liverpool side has failed to press home an advantage, when the opportunity to create momentum presented by a weakened opposition has been spawned. The three points collected yesterday were pleasing not because they arrived on the back of a flowing performance but because they were reward for keeping going and for staying on the front foot when Arsenal were there for the taking. They mean that should United and City win this weekend then we are not looking at a four or five point gap already and the lowering of expectations that would engender, the feeling that the next game was all important lest that gap become seven or eight before August is out.
What was also encouraging was the tactical awareness of Kenny to recognise that the quick footed interplay of Meireles and Suarez was the key to unlocking a tired but resolute Arsenal back line and those two players joy in delivering. Much has been and will be written about the value of Andy Carroll, the readiness of Jordan Henderson etc but the squad contains options now and I believe that over the season all of the players will justify their part in it. The key is not the talent; these are all top class players, but the attitude and self-belief that was on display at a rain sodden Emirates. If Kenny can keep fostering that and the players bring work rate and determination then their ability will get its reward. As fans that’s all we can ask but also what we should expect.
