5 reasons why Liverpool fans have been able to dream

This season has been one full of thrills for Liverpool fans, and the recent form of the team has the fans hoping for a lot more than just a top 4 finish. Here's a look at 5 reasons why Liverpool fans have been able to dream big this season.

#1 SAS - Sturridge and Suarez

Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have been a part of the most lethal partnership in England and in Europe as well. They have managed to outscore 15 premier league teams by themselves which is a phenomenal feat. Sturridge and Suarez have played 43 games combined in the Premier League this season and have 42 goals to their name. They occupy top spots in the race for the golden boot and also have a combined 15 assists to their name.

When Sturridge was bought last January, there were doubts about how both Suarez and Sturridge would fit into the same team. This season, we have seen Sturridge and Suarez playing as a partnership upfront, or one of them staying on the flank, with the other leading the line. The flexibility shown by both has been brilliant. There have been differences on the pitch between the two, but it has not affected their partnership in the long run.

At the start of the season , when Suarez served his ban, Sturridge led the line and was instrumental in the first 5 games of the season. After Suarez came back from suspension, he and Sturridge formed a lethal understanding when Rodgers played with 3 centre backs to accommodate the both of them.

After Sturridge's injury, it was Suarez's turn to lead the line on his own and he did it in spectacular fashion. Since Sturridge's return the duo have been in great form, having been responsible for the demolition of Arsenal and Everton at home. In both the games, they could have easily scored more that what they ended up with.

#2 Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has evolved a lot as a coach and added a lot of flexbility to his style. When he arrived at Liverpool, he advocated the passing game at Liverpool. In the initial few games, Liverpool used to boss possession but there was not enough penetration and end product. Liverpool always had a plan A but no plan B.

In his first season, Rodgers got tactically outwitted by mid table teams on a few occasions. The likes of West Bromwich Albion, Southampton and Aston Villa exposed the flaws in Rodgers' tactics. This season has been a completely different story. Liverpool's style of play has changed quite a bit. They have become a brilliant counter attacking team this season.

The team passes the ball short as well as long whenever required. The goals from set-pieces have been the real surprise this season. It shows how much Rodgers and his staff have worked on the training ground.

Rodgers has proven to be very good in his man management. He handled the Suarez situation perfectly. He has brought the best out of players such as Henderson, Sturridge, Flannagan and Sterling. He has worked on the tactical aspects of most of his players. Flannagan and Sterling were written off at the start of the season but now they are an integral part of the team. They have displaced the more experienced Moses and Cissokho from the first team, both of whom are on loan, which is probably a good thing for Liverpool going forward.

Rodgers has adopted a variety of formations this season. He has used 4-2-3-1, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-2-4 and 4-3-3 this season. Suarez, Sterling and Sturridge have been able to adapt to a variety of roles under Rodgers' guidance, while Henderson too has shown his versatility and played in a variety of roles this season.

Liverpool have exhibited a fearless and flowing brand of football. In recent years, very few Liverpool teams have managed to score so freely away from home. Liverpool have scored 3 or more goals 15 times in the Premier League this season. The last time they managed to do this was during the 2008-2009 season. They have 10 more games to better this record this season.

Rodgers' decision to use Gerrard in a deeper role has also been a crucial factor in recent games. In the absence of Lucas, Rodgers has managed to get the best out of Gerrard in the deep role and use the energy and mobility of the likes of Henderson , Allen and Coutinho in advanced midfield positions.

Rodgers has played a key role in uniting the club and providing a vision for the club to move forward. His tactics and man-management skills have played a crucial role in Liverpool's progress.

#3 Resilience

Last season one of the striking features of Liverpool's performances was the way in which they managed to squander leads and their inability to come from behind after conceding goals. Liverpool managed to blow away the lead at Arsenal away and in both the games against Manchester City. They had also looked mentally fragile while playing against physical teams and were easily knocked out of the FA Cup.

This season Liverpool have come a long way. Rodgers and his staff have worked on the psychological aspects of the team and have managed to improve the mentality of the team. The first game of the season was an indicator of things to come. Liverpool had managed to concede a late penalty at home after having a 1-0 lead. The Liverpool team of recent seasons would have conceded the goal and could have also contrived to lose the game from that position. But in this particular game, Mignolet pulled off a spectacular double save to secure 3 points for the side.

In recent games, Liverpool have come from behind against Fulham away and won against Stoke and Swansea after allowing the opponents back into the game. The mentality was also apparent in the early part of the season, when Liverpool defended resolutely in second halves of games to defend their lead. Very few times this season have we seen a Liverpool team crumbling after being impressive at the start of the game.

The players have shown a real desire and hunger to kill games this season. Liverpool managed to beat Arsenal and Everton within the first half hour of the game itself. The away game at White Hart Lane was also an example of the killer instinct shown by the team. Even during the consecutive defeats against Manchester City and Chelsea, the performance of the players was quite impressive and not of a team which was low on confidence.

#4 The emergence of Youth

The emergence of Sterling and Flanagan has played a key role in Liverpool's revival this season. Flannagan made a surprise start in the crucial derby game at Goodison Park. He was picked ahead of Cissokho and was brilliant in his defensive work in the unfamiliar role at left back. Since then, he has been a fixture in the team. He has managed to cement a place in the team ahead of the on loan Cissokho and has made 13 appearances in the league this season.

Flanagan also managed to score a goal against Tottenham Hotspur which got him fame on social media for having scored more goals from open play at White Hart Lane than Roberto Soldado.

Raheem Sterling has taken his game to the next level this season. After an impressive start to his career, Sterling seemed to have faded away by the end of last season. At the start of this season, he was unable to make it to the first team and there were question marks over whether he would be able to make it in the Premier League. Since then, Sterling has made a sensational comeback in the team and has cemented his place ahead of the likes of Victor Moses and Luis Alberto.

He has made 16 starts in the Premier league this season and made 6 appearances as a substitute. He has scored an impressive 6 goals and has assisted 3 others for his team mates. The impressive aspect about Sterling this season has been his improvement in the defensive aspect. He has provided sufficient cover for his full backs and averages 1.5 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per game , which is quite high for a player who plays along the flanks.

Phillipe Coutinho has also played his part this season. He has 3 goals and 4 assists to his name from 23 appearances this season but has not been able to produce the consistency of his first season. It would be fair to say the Brazilian is still finding his feet and adapting to the pace of the Premier League. Coutinho has also improved his defensive gameplay. His constant pressing was a key feature of the demolition of Arsenal at home.

#5 Steven Gerrard

Last, but not the least , Steven Gerrard has been one of the main reasons for Liverpool's progress this season. Gerrard has led from the front this season. In 24 appearances, Gerrard has managed to score 8 goals and assist 9 times in the Premier League. His deliveries from set-pieces have been a constant menace. It has added a new dimension to Liverpool's attacking play.

Out of the 8 goals he's scored , 6 have been penalties. Some of them have been goals at crucial times in the games. The goals against Fulham and Stoke changed the complexion of the game. Gerrard also scored the crucial opening goal against Everton. His passing has been instrumental to Liverpool's swift counter attacks that has seen them repeatedly break down their opposition e.g. in the games against Everton, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

His leadership on and off the field has been exemplary. In one of the recent interviews, Suarez mentioned the role played by Gerrard in helping him make the decision to stay at Anfield. Gerrard has adapted tactically after having a bit of a tough time early on in the season. He may not score those spectacular goals these days, but his role as the elder statesman in the team has helped Liverpool tremendously this season.

Liverpool fans might be reluctant to admit being title challengers this season, but they can certainly dare to dream about the future.