Liverpool – Unerring regrowth of a dormant team

Liverpool is club with a rich history and an unerring tradition towards football. After what seemed like forever, Liverpool have finally come back to the helm of Premier League football. This is evident in the fact they have already scored more goals in six months than what they did the whole of last season. With a handful games to go, their prospects appear bright. They have undoubtedly been the team that has taken everyone by surprise.

They have performed with determination and have shown that they are a potent force once again. They’ve showed why they cannot be discounted anymore. The past 5 seasons have yielded nothing other than a League Cup title but some handy work by Rodgers in the transfer window has come in brilliantly for them.

The combination of Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling has proved to be very lethal. In these three, Liverpool have a force capable of unsettling any defense in the world and it is good to see that Rodgers is putting them to good use. Rodgers should make winning the league his topmost priority with such a dominant front line.

Their talismanic striker, Luis Suarez has scored 24 goals in the Premier League this season. Although he’s been dormant for the past couple of weeks, it should only be a matter of time before he is back. He is one player who at his best can torment and demolish any defence in the world. He can make defenders go insane with his nimble-footed tricks. He has been at the forefront of controversies but nevertheless makes sure it doesn’t affect his game. Fortunately for Rodgers, Suarez has stayed away from the press this season ensuring his name appears only for the right reasons.

Sturridge has proved to be an able partner by netting the ball 22 times in 29 appearances this season. The beginning of the season saw Sturridge at his best. He doesn’t seem anything like the player that was made to sit down in favour of Fernando Torres at Chelsea. He has been criticized for being selfish at times but his end product has materialized positively for Liverpoool.

Then comes the midfield. Well, what can I say? They have admittedly been one of the more balanced midfields in the Premier League. Jordan Henderson has proved to be a very lethal player. His hard work often went unnoticed in the past but he has been making a name for himself with his fair share of goals and has looked ready for this year’s World Cup. His runs down the opposition flanks has been effective in providing Suarez and Sturridge more space to work with. His passing has been neat and he has played the perfect foil to the midfield duo this season. Lucas Leiva has been instrumental for Liverpool. He does all the hard work for the Reds. He man marks players and he’s the workhorse of the team. The team is secure when he is on the field when he operates in the lines between midfield and defence.

Then comes the everlasting presence in the form of Steven Gerrard. He’s been there forever, hasn’t he? With the flamboyant captain at the helm, they have certainly proven their critics wrong. His astounding passes across the width of the pitch gives the team another dimension. But the problem he faces is that age has got to him and he has lost his raw pace. And when he plays in a position just in front of the two centre backs, he is vulnerable to counter attacks. However, his leadership skills make up for more than that and I wouldn’t be mistaken in saying that Gerrard is still the heart and soul of the team.

Moving further up the pitch, John Flanagan has been a revelation this season. Glen Johnson has not been in his best, but he has played without any complaints. Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger have not been at their best this season but they’ve shown incredible commitment and given their best. But if winning the title is the plan, Liverpool need to buy better defenders. Kolo Toure has been the butt of jokes this season but I guess he’s more than that. Mamadou Sakho has also proven his worth and has kept Spaniard Jose Enrique at bay. The goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has not been the best. He’s still improving and he needs to raise his game up a notch if Liverpool are to eye European glory.

The defence has not had its best season. 35 goals have already been let in. With 13 games to go, they are certainly going to overhaul the number of goals they let in last season. There have been only 8 clean sheets out of the 28 games this season. That is really poor for a team which is eyeing the title. On the flip side, they’ve scored 73 goals which has sort of levelled the goal difference in their favour. Still, scoring should never be equated with conceding. With that being said, they shouldn’t be too over confident on their attackers as well. They concede on average 1.25 goals per game, which is again very poor for a top team in a league as big as this.

I know you must be wondering why I didn’t mention Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling. Well, I just saved the best for the last. My favourite Liverpool player this season is not Luis Suarez, not Daniel Sturridge but the Brazilian – Philippe Coutinho. His ability to make through balls is just brilliant. His passes have been instrumental for the rise of this team. He has given them a new lease of life. He has also scored 3 very important goals. His goal against Fulham made sure that he isn’t there for nothing.

Then comes the young, dashing and one of the fastest players in the world, Raheem Sterling. He is easily the most exciting prospect in this Liverpool team. His pace on the field gives Liverpool the fire they need. He has scored 3 goals too. He got noticed this season when he played a major role in the demolishing of Arsenal at Anfield. His pace and passing made the Arsenal defenders dance. He can frighten any defence on his day and he is certainly one of the most impressive prospects in English football today.

Above all is the man who unites this side – Brendan Rodgers. It has been a breakthrough season for Rodgers as Liverpool are challenging for a trophy for the first time ever since his arrival last season. His reputation as the Guardiola of England has remained intact and Liverpool’s style of play warrants that heavily. Sleek passing, movement of the ball rather than the players, involving the striker in the build up play, playing with two wing backs and a compact three man midfield all point to one direction – Tiki Taka.Indeed, Rodgers has not failed to take a risk and has experimented with a rejuvenated formation and come out of the old school tactics. I should say he seems to have got it right .

Well, though this hasn’t been the season of their dreams for Liverpool, this certainly has proved their mettle at the big stage. These last two months, hopefully are along the same line.