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| IMAGE COURTESY: Empire of the Kop |
Although many have been quick to dismiss Liverpool as title contenders, the possibility of the Reds winning their first title in over two decades is well and truly alive.
Brendan Rogers’ side currently lies four points off the top spot – and with twelve games still to play in the season, a lot can change that may see Liverpool climb atop the league.
It’s going to be one very hotly contested title race as the season ticks down to an enthralling culmination. Over the years the football has never been short of spectacular or historic moments, and Liverpool winning the league could easily be another one. They have one of the best striking partnerships in Europe and a manager that knows what he’s doing – along with other reasons. Here are the top five as to why Liverpool can lift the Premier League trophy in May.
Arsenal Can’t Keep Up The Pursuit
It’s clear that Liverpool’s demolition of Arsenal at the Anfield made a huge statement and demoralized the Gunners, possibly derailing them for the remainder of the season.
After their loss to Liverpool, the Gunners went on to deliver a subdued performance at the Emirates in a goalless draw with Manchester United, of where many problems where outlined such as lack of character and urgency, poor chance conversions and holding back to a great extent. Arsenal have twelve league games remaining as part of a tough schedule that includes a Champions League tie with Bayern Munich. Arsenal’s resources are diluted around some areas, and that can only be thinned further during the tough schedule in February and March.
Mesut Ozil’s recent criticism will only add to the growing backlog of Arsenal’s problems going into the remainder of the title race. In addition, Olivier Giroud has a lot of pressure on him considering that the Frenchman and Nicklas Bendtner are the only true strikers in the squad. Should Giroud get injured or go into a slump, Arsenal’s goal scoring outputs could minimise significantly.
Should Arsenal fail to keep up the race for the title and drift away from the top, Liverpool exploit the opportunity to lock horns with Chelsea and Manchester City, while Arsenal can also take some points from the big clubs to pave the way for Liverpoool’s title win. Having Arsenal out of the equation would result in Arsenal’s title probabilities increasing.
However, this reason might become less of an issue with Sanogo looking better, and Arsenal bouncing back by defeating Liverpool in the FA Cup, and Sunderland in the league.
Brendan Rogers Is The Ideal Manager
Brendan Rogers is one of the best managers that Liverpool have had in the Premier League era. Under his authority, Liverpool have looked a much improved team and are enjoying some of their best form with the Northern-Ireland-native in charge.
Liverpool has a true voice of reason within the club that has rubbed off onto the squad and created great results. From the incorporation of young players, to speaking out in press conferences and pushing his players to do better, Brendan Rogers is working wonders for Liverpool.
What makes Brendan Roger’s leadership such a smooth ride for his players is that he stays out of controversy. While Mourinho and others are voicing their title hopes, mind games or criticising other teams, Rogers has made his team just get down to business. He’s backed his team to win too which would be huge encouragement for the players who have grown very fond of him during his tenure with the club.
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| IMAGE COURTESY: The Independent |
They Showed Championship Character
Liverpool’s thrilling 3 – 2 win over relegation battlers Fulham was a display of true Championship character, as skipper Steven Gerrard fired home a penalty in stoppage time.
It was one of their most telling performances of the season. On the verge of losing, they would fire back two goals within the last ten minutes of the game to pick up three vital points that will go a long way. They could have easily rested on the basis that they had demolished Arsenal, and dismissed the result, but they fought on to pick up a huge win.
They went from winning at ease at Anfield to a last-gasp win at Craven Cottage. The contrast of those games within four days showed us what Liverpool are about, resilience and most importantly, class.
Daniel Sturridge & Luis Suarez Are The Best Striking Duo In The League
The lethal partnership of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez has worked wonders for the side and now has put them in contention for Liverpool’s first league win in 24 years.
Earlier on in the season, this argument was heavily challenged by Alvaro Negredo and Sergio Aguero, the duo from Manchester City who were running riot week-in and week-out leading to the New Year. However, during that time, Liverpool’s strikers would show that they were the most effective.
Between them, they currently have 39 league goals in total and are poised to break records leading to the end of the season. Daniel Sturridge’s form has been exceptional as of late, scoring in seven consecutive games breaking Liverpool’s record. Meanwhile for Liverpool, Luis Suarez incredible form, along with securing his new contract at the club, have made this duo lethal and unstoppable.
In Sturridge’s first match back from injury, he would link up with Suarez almost instantaneously to make the difference, a real lesson of how important the two where to Liverpool. Furthermore, they complement each other very well, creating assists for one another to forge a partnership of title-winning implications.
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| IMAGE COURTESY: The Mirror |
Midfield Prominence
Liverpool’s midfield roster has signficantly improved and increased from past season, with players such as Phillipe Coutinho taking a more important role thus allowing more flexibility in side choices and also reducing the pressure on Steven Gerrard – with him still being the midfield anchor.
We’ve seen Jordan Henderson also rise to the occasion for a more important role which makes it a key part of Liverpool’s campaign, with plenty of good service to both Suarez and Sturridge.
They Are Hungry
It’s been twenty-four years since Liverpool last won the league. That’s a time period of excessive time for a top club like Liverpool to not taste the sweet glory.
Hunger is really the fuel to the fire for this Liverpool side. They definitely have the ability and resources to go on and win the league, now it’s a case of their desire to get their hands on the Premier League trophy. It’s hunger that provides the extra push, like we saw in their big win at Fulham, and in a close title race like this, it could make the all-important difference.
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Liverpool are still not out of the question of winning the league for the first time in 24 years. But they’ll need to keep up the pressure on their opposition with teams returning to great form to create a climate that makes the title challenge very difficult.
A few games after this, it could look a very different situation – Liverpool could be out of it, or even top.
The title race is far from over for the Reds.
– Sports for the Fans, by the Fans.
TheSportMatrix.com 