Title Train Keeps Moving Forward

 

Raheem Sterling put in a man of the match performance

It’s becoming a regular occurrence. Anfield is a fortress again and victory last Sunday was never in doubt. The four nil score line didn’t flatter Liverpool and they should have scored more. The free flowing attacking football was a joy to watch, with the pace and movement of the Liverpool attacking players was too much to handle for the Tottenham defenders. Tottenham didn’t help themselves however and never looked at the races from the first minute. They will be very disappointed with their season after spending £100 million on new players last summer. None of them have set the world alight and surely Tim Sherwood’s position as manager will be in question before the season is out.

Despite this, Liverpool can only beat what’s in front of them. Raheem Sterling got man of the match and was outstanding throughout the game. His development as a player over the season has been incredible and is surely a favourite to head to Brazil with England for the world cup. His sheer pace and game awareness has full backs spinning. Brendan Rodgers went with four attacking players for this home game which I felt could have gone against Liverpool. However Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling fluency and work rate was never in question all through the game. And what about Luiz Suarez? Twenty nine league goals is an incredible achievement and now surely a shoe-in for the PFA player of the year.

Suarez before scoring Liverpool’s second goal

Next up is West Ham on Sunday. This will be a difficult as West Ham play a type of football that doesn’t suit Liverpool. Sam Alladyce will have his troops fired up and make the game as physical as possible. Old boys Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing will have a point to prove against their former club. I believe that Liverpool are playing to well to lose this game. If they match the physical intensity that West Ham will bring to the game, I am in no doubt they will get the three points.

What are people’s views on the game? Here is a video of the last time Liverpool played West Ham this season.

Two Wins from Two has Liverpool within touching distance of the Title

The SAS continued their prolific partnership

Another week another six points. Liverpool’s marvellous run since January has seen them win seven games in a row. They have had many plaudits along the way and has seen many sit up and take notice of Brendan Rodgers side. Winning their game in hand on Wednesday night has put them one point behind the leaders Chelsea. There are tucked nicely away in a three horse race for the Premier League. There other rivals for the title Manchester City after their demolition of Manchester United this week, have two games in hand on their rivals which means by winning those two they will be top of the league. Although with the form Liverpool are in, it’s difficult to see them dropping too many point from now until the end of the season.

What impressed me in the last two games were the different qualities Liverpool showed. Against Cardiff they started poorly but never panicked, waited for their chances and were clinical. Again the partnership of Sturridge and Suarez came to the fore. Their telepathic connection makes defenders have sleepless nights. It is the first time in fifty years since Ian St. John and Roger Hunt two strikers from Liverpool have scored over twenty goals in one season, which is quite a feat. Then on Wednesday night against Sunderland, Liverpool showed real grit to see out the game. It was nervy and tense after Sunderland pulled a goal back with fifteen minutes to go. Liverpool fluency and passing ability wasn’t on a par to previous games, but to win league championships you have to win games when you’re not at your best. Steven Gerrard was immense, scoring a wonderful free kick and Phillipe Coutinho was back to his best, gliding across the pitch was his dribbling and passing. To grind out a result at this stage of the season will please Rodgers.

Stephen Gerrard before scoring his free kick

Next up for Liverpool is Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. This won’t be an easy game with Tottenham vying for a top 4 place. However they have struggled to score goals this year and if Liverpool put pressure on Christen Eriksen who is their form player since the turn of the year, I feel Liverpool have more than enough firepower to win the game.

What are people’s views on Liverpool’s game on Sunday? Below is a link to the last time the sides met. Let’s hope for the same result!!

 

 

 

 

 

Master class by Liverpool sends Message to Title Rivals

Steven Gerrard after scoring his second penalty

Well what a performance that was! Last Sunday was a clear indication of the progression that the club has made on the field over the last twelve months. It also shows the rapid decline of Manchester United as a footballing force. For Liverpool, to go to your fiercest rivals and play them off the park for 90 minutes was something I did not envisage before the game.

From the first minute Liverpool’s pressing of the Manchester United’s midfield made it impossible for the likes of Mata, Rooney and Carrick to get and foot hold in the game. This was down to sheer perseverance and as Rodgers alluded to in his post match press conference as ‘a willingness to work’. This was evident in the first few minutes when Jon Flanagan disposed Juan Mata of the ball to create a chance for Daniel Sturridge. Liverpool exposed the frailties of Utd’s full backs, who had a torrid time in the subdued Old Trafford atmosphere.

Liverpool team celebrating their sides first goal

Steven Gerrard spoke after the game of how Rodgers is excellent at tweaking formations and tactics to suit specific games. This was in evidence again on Sunday. They played a diamond formation with Raheem Sterling just behind the two strikers. This added dynamism and fluidity to the midfield which confused the Utd back four. They decided to defend higher up the pitch which left gaping holes for the on fire duo of Sturridge and Suarez. This showed Rodgers awareness of where Utd’s weaknesses were and they were duly exploited.

Liverpool were awarded three penalties in the match and should have had two more. I said last week that Liverpool needed to use their pace if they were to win the game. They did exactly that causing ‘controlled mayhem’ all over the field. This was helped by the sublime passing of the likes of Henderson, Suarez and Gerrard. What about the great man himself Gerrard? The man of the match was outstanding throughout the game and orchestrated his team mates around the pitch. His spacial awareness and intelligence on the ball has been reiterated again in Gerrard’s second coming as football’s equivalent of the quarter back in American Football. He has been given a new lease of life in the twilight of his career.

After that stunning performance, attention turns to an away trip to Cardiff. They are languishing at the bottom of the table but their home form has been steady all year so Liverpool will proceed with caution. However I don’t see Cardiff derailing this rich vein of form I can only see the away side acquiring another three points.

What do people think of Liverpool’s performance against Man Utd? Here is a link below of that magnificent display the kopites will revel in for years to come.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y70Fe1AsjAk

The Rivalry Continues with a new Chapter this Sunday

So here it is. One of the biggest rivalries in world football will play out on Sunday with Liverpool travelling to Manchester to take on their arch rivals. No other fixture on the calendar is more important than the date Liverpool travel to Old Trafford. It’s not just a football rivalry with the rich history both clubs have, but also it’s a city rivalry with both being geographically close. The hatred from both sides comes from the belief of being the best, so the atmosphere on Sunday will be hostile and intense. However looking at the English football landscape at the moment, the tables look to be turning.

Manchester United being successful is all I’ve ever known. Their dominance of the English game was driven by Sir Alex Ferguson. With his retirement being announced last May, David Moyes took the helm. There was no question that the changing over of managers would be difficult but no one would have predicted the demise of Manchester United. Being out of both cups, out of the title race and almost certainly out of the Champions League, it’s not something the fans at Old Trafford have been used to. I believed that the writing was on the wall last year and were fortunate to win the league. However Moyes can do better with those group of players.

With confidence low at Old Trafford, Liverpool will be hoping to take full advantage being in the rich vein of form they are in. Having not lost in the league since Chelsea last December this game will arguably be the most difficult away game since that defeat. Although Liverpool are eleven points clear in the league table, United will no doubt raise their game for this local rivalry. I believe if Liverpool are to win the game, there are two things they have to do. The first one is to win the midfield battle. It is well documented how United’s midfield is slow and lethargic so Liverpool have to press them high up the pitch and force them into errors. Liverpool have to play with a fast tempo. This is why I feel again Joe Allen will again play in a midfield role with Phillipe Coutinho dropping to the bench. The second thing Liverpool must do is use their pace. United’s defensive age profile is quite old and have being conceding lots of goals this season. It is vital that Liverpool can get Daniel Sturridge one on one with Ferdinand and Vidic with the form he is in. With Sterling and Suarez in support, United will fear the three pronged attack.

I believe this will be a tough game for Liverpool to win. Local rivalries take a journey of their own. It’s a must win as Chelsea play on Saturday night and could open a ten point lead at the top. I’d Love to see Liverpool win, but I believe this game will end in a draw.

Steven Gerrard and Anderson getting to know each other in 2007

Core of English Players Bodes Well for the Future

With no Premier League game for Liverpool this weekend, my attention turned to the mid-week International friendlies. With an excellent display against Southampton last weekend, many of the squad on the day went into their International set ups. We have seen within the last year how the age profile of the squad has dramatically changed, with younger players being given a chance to shine in the red shirt. Many of these players have been English or through the academy. So on Wednesday night I decided to watch England vs Denmark at Wembley. For the first time since 1977, Liverpool had five English players on the starting Line-up. They included Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge. Some experts believe John Flanagan should have also been called into the squad, given his current form.

This achievement is a testament to Brendan Rodgers, who has put his faith in these players. England won the game 1 nil, with Raheem Sterling awarded man of the match and Sturridge getting the winning goal. As said previously, the last time England had five Liverpool players in the team was 1977, when Liverpool were at their height of football dominance. I’ve looked at other major European sides and there is a trend between success and a core of home-grown talent. Bayern Munich for example who are the current European Champions have a core of German players such as Philip Lahm, Toni Kroos, Sebastian Schweinstiger and Tomas Muller. Similarly Barcelona who have been the dominant force in European football for the last decade have Xavi, Busquests, Iniestia and Pique. Manchester United in their dominance of the English over the last twenty years have had since the famous class of 92 have always had English players at the spine of their. I believe it is important for successful teams to have players from their home nations. It brings a sense of team bonding, and making sure foreign Imports understand what it means to play for a prestigious club.

With the performances the English lads have put in at Liverpool this season, I see no reason why they will have a major representation in the England squad on the plane to Brazil. It’s time for Hodgson to pick these young players and give them a taste of major tournament football. The golden generation flopped at major tournaments, so maybe this Liverpool generation can inspire them to success. Next week it’s all about the biggest rivalry in British sport, Manchester United v Liverpool!!

Raheem Sterling against Denmark

On a Lighter Note: New Knitted Boots

Luis Suarez today launched the new Adidas knitted boot, the first of its kind. They are mean’t to be the most flexible and comfortable boot Adidas have made. They look classy and will retail at £220. Hopefully Suarez will be wearing them for Liverpool in the long and distant future. 

Allen the Catalyst for a Priceless Win

That was too close for comfort. What should have been a banker three points at home, Liverpool dug out a result when it looked for large periods of the game that the points would be shared. Swansea played well; in particular Jonjo Shelvey especially in the first half where he found space behind the Liverpool midfield, topping it off with a superb strike. I was impressed with their movement and at times the way they kept possession with frustrated Liverpool. However this was a game where in previous seasons Liverpool would have failed to win, which shows the Progression under Brendan Rodgers. Again, the firepower that Liverpool possess was on show last weekend, with Daniel Sturridge bagging a brace to show his credentials as one of the top strikers in Europe. A stat from last week’s game that the Englishman has scored more goals per minute this year than Messi and Ronaldo, which shows the potential of the player.

We can talk about poor defending that happened on Sunday and the attacking prowess that eventually won the game, however in my opinion the main factor in Liverpool’s victory was the introduction of Joe Allen with a half an hour to go. He hasn’t set the world alight since his 15 million pound switch in 2012, however I feel he is growing into the Liverpool shirt. Liverpool were getting over run in midfield and struggled to go through phases of the game. When Allen came on he bought a calmness but also an energy to regain possession and do the right thing with it. There is no doubt he is an intelligent player and won a few vital free kicks for his side. He allowed Jordan Henderson to move further forward and arrive into to box and subsequently scored the winning goal. I was impressed with his display and was in my opinion his best performance in the red shirt. Attention now turns to Southampton, which will be a difficult game away from home. I would play Allen from the start and sacrifice one of the attacking players to counteract Southampton’s midfield. There’s no question this will be a tough game and Liverpool will have to be at their best to get a crucial three points.

Joe Allen had a super game on Sunday

Sole Focus now on the Premier League

After a disappointing result in the FA cup on Sunday, in which Liverpool played well, attention will now focus on the Premier League. With it being the only competition Liverpool are now in, it gives them an advantage in terms of rest and recuperation compared to their title rivals. The opposition on Sunday is Swansea City, who are languishing close to the relegation zone. After the amazing sacking of Michael Laudrup, Gary Monk has been given the task of seeing Swansea clear of the relegation zone and another season in the Premier League.

They had a credible draw against Italian side Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday night which will no doubt give them confidence on their trip to Anfield. However Liverpool’s home form this year suggests that this game should be a forgone conclusion. With only one defeat at home all season, the reds have made Anfield a fortress again, in which opposition teams fearing the trip. This is mainly down to the Brendan Rodgers way of playing this season. Too many times last year we saw Liverpool keeping possession of the ball, but with little penetration. As many saw on Tuesday night between Man City and Barcelona, the Catalans were patient but when saw an opportunity they had the penetration in behind to kill teams off. This is similar to Rodgers philosophy this season, with the pace in the front three and more clinical finishing; it has made Liverpool into a serious attacking force.

The one positive to take from this year especially at home, is that Liverpool have beating the teams their expected to beat and have been able to kill teams off early. I expect this to happen again on Sunday, especially with Swansea’s exertions in mid-week. My prediction is a 4-1 win, with Luis Suarez to get back on the score sheet with a couple of goals.

Sheer Determination and Class has Liverpool Back in the Race

Henderson was outstanding last Saturday

Steven Gerrard ecstatic after his last minute penalty at Fulham

It’s been a massive five days for the Premier League title race. The total unpredictability of the Premier League has made this year’s season the most exciting in recent years with four genuine contenders for the crown. Liverpool were considered as rank outsiders a week ago however two wins with different performances and results going their way have bought them well into the chasing pack.

It started last Saturday when they hosted Arsenal at Anfield. They were four nil in front after twenty minutes and eventually won the game 5-1, which is regarded as one of the most impressive Liverpool performance in recent memory. What impressed me about the display was the relentless pressing of the ball and the cheetah like pace on the counter attack. They gave Arsenal no time to settle on the ball which made the likes of Ozil, Wilshere and Carzola look average at best. Jordan Henderson was like a terrier snapping at the heels of his midfield counterparts. What was satisfying for me was the form of Raheem Sterling. The wide man scored two goals and caused constant problems for the Arsenal defence. There is no doubt is form dipped last season after an impressive start but his performances this year have improved greatly and have become more consistent, which has made him an outside bet to make Roy Hodgson’s England World Cup squad in Brazil this summer.

Last night’s result against Fulham was not as appealing on the eye but just as important as the win against their rivals. They came from behind twice which shows immense character within the squad. Daniel Sturridge scored another goal which takes his tally to the season to nineteen. Phillipe Coutinho also scored which rounds off his impressive displays of recent times which is a big plus. Gerrard’s penalty in the dying moments of the game shows the luck maybe with the Merseysiders.

However one major problem has been the conceding of sloppy goals which could see Liverpool fall short. Kolo Toure again made a poor error in the early minutes of the game which makes one think how long they can get away with these errors. It’s the FA Cup this week and another clash with Arsenal awaits. Liverpool will go into the game at the Emirates Stadium full of confidence in what should be a very close game.