For many years now I’ve longed for an improvement to Liverpool’s results, squad and style of play while in equal measure awaited the demise of the red side of Manchester. During the last few weeks the two clubs fortunes seem to be taking distinctly different changes in direction. I feel a nervous excitement but as Mr Wilde pointed out wishing for something may bring with it a world of new emotions.
This week during the drive home a radio host asked the question whether Liverpool were genuine title contenders. He highlighted our two strikers as the catalyst for current and future success. In part I agree with him but find myself fighting the urge to ‘get carried away’, the Southampton game serving as a timely reminder that perhaps everything isn’t quite perfect. Only weeks ago the question was raised whether a Champions League place was really obtainable considering our seventh place finish last term. Six games later and our championship credentials are being debated.
Such a rise is possible as in 2001 an almost unknown Spanish manager by the name of Benitez took a vibrant Valencia to their seventh league title by finishing above Real Madrid and Barcelona. They finished 5th the previous season and 5th again the following.
In recent years it’s been hard to see a route back into the top four but with Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton all employing new managers and the transitional periods that will inevitably follow, there was always going to be a crack in the door to sneak into. Those changes together with Liverpool’s own steady progress under Brendan Rodgers are the factors which have combined to provide our club with an opportunity which needs to be grasped.
To add further enhancement to the average Liverpool fans current mood is the apparent demise of the red devils from Manchester. The evolution from Ferguson to Moyes was never going to be seamless but losing three games out of six was unexpected. Their form added to Fergusons absence, a poor transfer window and an aging squad has meant the current champions look far from the side that has dominated domestically for the previous two decades.
Our own squad has improved, Henderson has drawn recent praise due to his tireless work rate and where many questioned the addition of Toure his performances have exceeded expectation. The new signings continue to impress with Sakho and Moses progressively finding their feet. In attack we have two frighteningly good strikers that would give any team nightmares.
This weekend, in the absence of the suspended Lucas an opportunity will arise for another. Aspas, Sterling, Alberto or all three could feature against Palace and this is an opportunity which I hope they will take. When other top teams bring in replacements from the bench the overall quality does not diminish and this needs to be the case with Liverpool too.
After Palace the international break means that Liverpool will not take to the field until 19th October by which time hopefully the four injured players currently missing, Johnson, Cissokho, Allen and Coutinho will be returning or close to doing so.
I believe that Liverpool’s fortunes this season will depend heavily on our injury record. I read recently that the Anfield coaching staff and medical team take deliberate measures to ensure all the players are treated separately and with specifically designated training. Should Gerrard, Suarez and Sturridge miss very few games this season then Liverpool’s final league position will surely be impressive.
I always believe you can only make a true assessment after 10 matches. That juncture is just around the corner after Palace, Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion. Incidentally our tenth game is at the Emirates to face Arsenal and considering the forthcoming fixtures for both clubs it’s conceivable that Arsenal v Liverpool could be a top two tussle. It’s worth noting that in the build up to that Arsenal game Liverpool will be safeguarding the fitness of the players and preparing solely for the match, Arsenal however host London rivals Chelsea on the Tuesday night in the Capital One Cup. Should they pick up a couple of injuries or endure extra time then such small details may aid Liverpool four days later in the league.
Ironically our exit from the League Cup and lack of European fixtures this season may play a large part in helping us secure European qualification next season.
Almost every pundit suggested, before a ball was kicked, that the top three would be contested by the Manchester clubs and Chelsea with positions four, five and six being occupied by Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal. Intriguingly it’s the latter three that have started the strongest along with an impressive Everton. This early form guide provides the suggestion that this season may be the most open in Premier League history.
Should Liverpool beat Crystal Palace on Saturday they will enter the international break in the top three with a record of played seven, won five, drawn one and lost one. I will wait till Sunday 3rd November, once ten games have been played until I truly assess my teams start to the campaign but should we still sit in the top three Liverpool fans may finally be getting want they want.
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