Can Liverpool’s attacking prowess see them over the line?

Title contendrs, genuinely?

When the current Premier League season kicked off, there was a sense of optimism amongst the Liverpool supporters. Luis Suarez had agreed to stay, a few recruits were on the verge of signing, United were entering the post-Ferguson era, Sturridge was fit again after missing the pre-season and the core of the team that was beginning to play some really free-flowing football at the end of the last season was intact and raring to go.

This was really going to Liverpool’s season. The tide was also in their favor. The Top 4 were all undergoing managerial changes, except for Arsenal. They had the advantage of a steady and fruitful pre-season and the lack of meaningless Europa League action, which has so often proved disastrous for Champions League aspirants and League strugglers alike. Pundits, opposition managers, and as always, Liverpool fans, genuinely believed that Liverpool could qualify for the Champions League, with Luis Suarez spearheading their assault on the top four.

Amidst the arrival of Mesut Ozil and a buzzing Emirates, the Happy One’s longing for a striker, the sheer genius of Pellegrini and the impending return of the Premier League’s best player, Liverpool got off to a dream start but no one noticed. Why? Because they always do, and they always slip into oblivion. However, since then Liverpool have gone from strength to strength, to the top of the table on Christmas Day, occupying the fourth spot on New Year’s Eve and now currently sitting second in the table, 4 points behind Chelsea and with a game in hand.

Meanwhile Luis Suarez has returned from his suspension a different player, leading the race for not only the Premier League Golden Shoe but also for the European Golden Shoe with strike partner Daniel Sturridge not far behind. This has led to many experts labeling Liverpool as dark horses in the race for the Premier league title; however, the Liverpool manager has denied for too long that Liverpool lack the depth to challenge for the title, even calling his team “the Chihuahua” in the race for the title. But how is a squad that was supposed to just make it to the top four challenging the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City?

A quick glance at the team and individual statistics shall address that question. Liverpool have been scoring goals for fun and have even outscored the Citizens by five goals but have played two games more. Suarez is topping the scoring charts and has also provided the most assists. His strike partner, Daniel Sturridge is the second highest scorer and has six assists as well, captain Steven Gerrard has nine assists and Henderson has also contributed six assists. And with Raheem Sterling and Coutinho also getting some games, Liverpool’s front line, spearheaded by Luis Suarez has put them in a position to challenge genuinely for the title.

While they have been ruthless in front of the goal, their defensive fragility has placed a question mark on the sustainability of their title charge. They have conceded far too many goals for their liking and individual errors have cost them a few but precious points. This has led many to believe that they need to buy a new defender, or change the way they are playing or do something in order to shore up the defense. All this criticism directed towards their defense, in my humble opinion, is unfair.

Yes, they have not been very good and I’m not contesting that but the real reason behind their misfortunes in their own penalty box are a result of untimely injuries that have forced Brendan Rodgers to set up a make shift defense more than often. They started the season with Agger and Toure, then switched to Skrtel and Toure after injury to Agger, used Sakho as a full-back when he first signed, then used Skrtel and Sakho as central defenders after the emergence of Jon Flanagan, then used Kolo Toure once again after injury to Sakho, and then finally reinstated Agger and Skrtel recently, upon Agger’s return from injury.

All this was accompanied by the use of Agger, Sakho and Toure as full backs and even Cissokho was given a lengthy run in the team. This didn’t allow for a partnership to be built at the back, which is so crucial for the defensive composure teams strive to achieve. However, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel have finally managed to develop an understanding at the right time and have kept two clean sheets in crucial away games. Also, with Sakho and Lucas returning from injury, Liverpool have the defensive solidity needed to win the Premier League.

Another crucial factor in the run-in could be Steven Gerrard’s transition into a deep-lying playmaker; no other title rival in the Premier League have a central midfielder who can just sit in front of the back four and yet, initiate their teams counter attacks or provide a lovely diagonal ball with the same precision.

City and Chelsea have Yaya Toure and Ramires, both of whom are box-to-box midfielders and hence, whenever they move forward, their teams are open to counter attacks. They also have Fernandinho and Matic, both of whom rarely venture forward and even if they do, they do so just to provide an extra body. Arsenal have Jack Wilshere but he’s not quite up there with Gerrard in terms of precision, vision or flair but provides a younger pair of legs.

This is another advantage Liverpool possess over their rivals, in addition to no Champions League and “the Chihuahua might just run through the horse’s legs”.