BUT, we must keep our feet grounded at these times. I painfully recall our 2008/2009 season when we had the title an arms’ length away… and we fumbled it. We cannot be looking any further ahead than our trip to the Hammers this weekend. This has now become a tricky, tactical situation for Brendan Rodgers. Does he continue playing his brand of attacking football and rely simply on outscoring his opponents? A tactic that has worked well so far, but a tactic that other managers have observed and will be expecting. Or does he look for a more steady performance and change his tactics to solidify the defence? A curve ball to our opposition. A true conundrum and a decision I am thankful I do not have to make.
So how do we beat them?
In the past, these types of matches have always made me panic. Our inconsistencies meant that we never knew what kind of Liverpool team would arrive at these games. Unfortunately for me, I cannot shake that trepidation, despite our consistency in 2014.
West Ham have a very impressive home record, with four wins in the last five matches. However, I believe they are now safe from the drop zone and therefore have nothing really to play for, apart from Sam Allardyce’s pathological desire to please Alex Ferguson. I would suspect that the Hammers will set their stall out to defend. But, there might be a little fly in this defensive ointment. To my surprise, and Allardyce’s bemusement, the Hammers fans booed the team off the pitch in their last home game, despite West Ham winning. The fans were not happy with the unattractive style of football that Allardyce is known for and have voiced their displeasure. Rumours are now rife that the powers that be at Upton Park are considering a change in management to bring some flair back to the club. I do not believe the timing could be better, because it puts Allardyce in a catch-22 situation. He could play defensively against Liverpool and once again, evoke the anger in the fans. In my opinion, this would be the best way for West Ham to get a result from us, but should their defence be breached and they loss, the fury of the fans would be immense. And why wouldn’t West Ham’s defence be breached by our attackers? Much better defences have already buckled under the Red Tide. The alternative would be an attacking approach. Perhaps Allardyce would look at the league table and see this as a low risk opportunity to give the fans what they want. He would be vindicated with either result. A win, and the fans will be happy. A loss, and he can point to the fans and say “See, this is what happens when we play your way.” An attacking West Ham will be right up our alley, as we will hurt them with the extra space they would offer us. That, I do not doubt.
But our biggest threat will come from a certain… Andy Carroll. In his last three matches, our former number 9 has scored two and assisted one. I do not doubt that Carroll would like to put one over Liverpool for letting him go and would be especially revved up for this match. And a revved up Andy Carroll attacking a cross is something dangerous. Especially with our questionable defensive displays of late. And speaking of past players, Joe Cole and Stewart Downing will love nothing more than to be the ones to put that ball on Carroll’s head.
We will beat West Ham with fast, quick passes. Basically, the way we have been playing of late. Although it was a toss up for me between Sterling and Coutinho as to who was the man of the match in our last game, I would like to see Lucas taking one of their places to protect our shaky back four. We need to also be careful not to give away cheap free kicks around the box, for obvious reasons. Come on you Reds, let’s keep the dream alive.
And our competitors…
I can’t help but arrogantly smile that I correctly predicted an upset for Chelsea at Selhurst Park last week. This week the Pensioners will be welcoming the Potters to the Bridge. Having lost two matches in a row, the Whinging One will not be happy. He would want a reaction from his team, and he may well get it. We can hope though that the players will have an eye on the PSG return fixture and be sloppy again, but I doubt it. Stoke have won four and drew one of their last five matches, including a home win against Arsenal. However, I can’t see Sparky bringing an end to Mourinho’s unbeaten home record. I see a Chelsea win…but I hope I am wrong.
Man City are also at home this weekend and welcome Southampton. Recent history does not favour City here, as the Saints have taken four points from their last two meetings. Southampton though have not shown a lot of consistency which is a problem, but they are a threat. I hope City errs here by looking past this match as a ‘gimme’ and, depending on which Southampton team rocks up, this is our best chance of our competition dropping points.
Everton host Arsenal, who are out of the title race in my opinion. This match is a showdown for the fourth Champions League spot and Everton come into the match with much better form. Five win from the last five matches versus Arsenal's one win, two draws and two defeats, and I do not doubt that our brothers at Goodison Park will be making the environment uncomfortable for the Gunners. I am going for a Toffees win.
Follow Kurt Ellis on Twitter @kurtellis2
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