‘Filly in red’ big danger
Liverpool’s 3-0 victory at Southampton on Saturday has changed the landscape of the top six, moving Brendan Rodgers’ side into second and raising expectations on the Kop that a team ranked as real outsiders at the start of the season can overcome the odds and pip Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal at the post.
There were so many positives for Rodgers at St Mary’s — a result that means his side have not lost in the league at Anfield since they were beaten by the Saints in September — that it’s difficult to know where to start.
The form of Luis Suarez (now on 24 goals for the season) and his strike partner Daniel Sturridge has been much discussed, as has Steven Gerrard’s successful transformation into a deep-lying midfielder; but add in the solid form of defensive lynchpin Martin Skrtel, the growing reputation of goalscoring substitute Raheem Sterling and the continued development of players such as Jordan Henderson and Jon Flanagan and it’s easy to see why Liverpool fans have begun chanting ‘We’re going to win the league’, having been so reluctant to do so earlier in the season.
The only frustration for Rodgers’ team — out of the FA Cup and not playing in Europe — is they must wait two weeks for their next fixture, a huge test against Manchester United at Old Trafford on March 16 that could have major ramifications for both sides.
But therein also lies the strength of Liverpool’s campaign; because having a singular target has been a significant advantage.
Watching their expertly-orchestrated victory against a very good Southampton side on Saturday provided a lot of clues about Liverpool’s title credentials; because Rodgers’ side are well-organised, tactically sound and most importantly playing with an energy that marks them out from other teams at the top.
It was important that when Southampton dominated possession at key times during the game, Liverpool were comfortably able to find the energy resources to continue chasing and pressing until the pendulum swung back in their favour; and when it did, the pace and finishing power of their attackers was enough to punish the home team’s lack of end product.
The way Suarez snaffled up the first opportunity, side-footing home first time after the ball reached him fortuitously in the Southampton penalty area, told much about his form — but the way he set up Sterling’s after 58 minutes and then raced away to win a last minute penalty was equally significant in terms of his energy levels.
A quick look at the number of games played by the key players in the top two sides is illuminating: many of Chelsea’s biggest performers, such as Eden Hazard and John Terry, have played up to 10 games more than their rivals at Anfield, meaning Suarez — who of course began the campaign with a suspension — has played in only 27 matches so far. That could well prove important in the final weeks of the campaign when fatigue sets in and ‘squeaky bum time’ turns the pressure up to full.
Certainly that’s how Alex Ferguson saw it during his time at Old Trafford; he was the master not only at managing players but at managing a season, thinking as much as several months ahead to ensure his squad arrived in April, when it really mattered, in perfect mental and physical condition.
Rodgers seems to have the same gifted touch when it comes to foresight and planning; and Liverpool’s lack of European football has made it that little bit easier to juggle, even if the Anfield manager — just like Mourinho — refuses to say outright his team can win the title.
“It’s not something I can start to think about,” Rodgers said. “It’s brilliant for the supporters to dream, I think they’ve seen the team improve consistently over the last 18 months. But for me it’s just winning the next game, we’ll prepare and analyse for our next opponent now, we’ll get ready for that.”
Such is Rodgers’ grip on this Liverpool team that the same mantra was trotted out by just about any player you cared to approach after the Southampton game; a sign of togetherness that hints at the potential at Anfield.
“We keep winning, it’s going to grow,” said captain Gerrard. “But it’s just important to stay calm, and focus on each game as it comes. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s all we can do. We don’t have the experience, but we do have a lot of good things going for us as well.”
In many ways that is an understatement from Anfield’s on-field leader; because tucked in nicely in second place and with seemingly plenty in the tank, the going looks very good indeed for Liverpool Football Club.
SOUTHAMPTON: Boruc 6; Chambers 7, Lovren 5, Fonte 5, Shaw 6; Schneiderlin 6, Davis 5 (Ramirez 45; 7); Rodriguez 6, Cork 6 (Wanyama 76; 5), Lallana 7; Lambert 6 (Gallagher 76; 5).
LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 6; Flanagan 6, Agger 6, Skrtel 7, Johnson 7; Henderson 7, Gerrard 7; Allen 6, Coutinho 5 (Sterling 57; 7), Suárez 8; Sturridge 7 (Aspas 85).
Referee: Lee Probert.
