Liverpool FC: Dark horses or mere pretenders?

The spectacular fall from grace of Liverpool FC has been well-documented and well-debated. Numerous voices have voiced their opinions in the last three seasons, as the likes of Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester City have emphatically moved above the famous Reds in the food chain of the EPL. Going through tumultuous ownership changes and failed managerial appointments, the club started losing their best talent to rival clubs. Becoming a ‘feeder’ club in the mould of Arsenal, the Reds lost Alonso, Mascherano, Torres, and Benayoun to filthy rich clubs; clubs that Liverpool were beating in the Champions League. Losing the ‘World’s Best Midfield’ crippled the Reds, especially Alonso, and the Merseyside faithful are hopeful that Joe Allen can fill the legend’s boots. Only Mascherano was immediately replaced in the form of Lucas Leiva, who’s been a revelation during these dark times.

Can he be Anfield’s saviour?

Here we now find ourselves, almost three years since Liverpool’s last Champions League game against Fiorentina in 2009. After the failures of Hodgson and Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers has been given chance to take the club back to the summit of English and European football. Rodgers knows it’s a gradual process, and has stated himself that there’s no shortcut to success, unless you’re bankrolled by oil-rich billionaires.

Liverpool have yet to take off this season, and sit a lowly 12^th, having just accumulated ten points this season and only two victories to show for their hard work. They travelled to Goodison Park this past Saturday to face a rampant Everton side and returned with a 2-2 draw for their troubles. Everton played an excellent game; some argue that they outplayed their illustrious rivals. While the Reds should’ve won the game at the death, it would’ve been downright cruel to the Goodison faithful. The match itself was excellent, and one of the best games of the season, as both sides displayed their qualities and intentions.

The quality of play has generally been excellent this season, and with a crisp passing style, the Merseysiders have slowly started earning plaudits from the neutrals and have been hailed for their policy of breeding youngsters. The lack of a cutting edge has hampered Liverpool greatly, and Luis Suarez cannot be blamed like last season, as the striker has scored his fair share of goals.

The midfield, while being dominant for the most part, has failed to contribute regularly in the scoring department. Teams need scoring midfielders to help alleviate the burden on the primary strikers. In the past, the Reds could fall upon Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard to contribute, but these days goals seem to be a rarity from the middle of the park. Nuri Sahin hasn’t quite acclimatized himself to the rigours of EPL play, Captain Fantastic is on his last legs and Joe Allen has never been renowned for his goal-scoring prowess. It speaks volumes about the dependence on Suarez when you look at charts. Suarez leads the charts with six goals scored, and five players have scored a goal apiece, and an own goal courtesy Leighton Baines.

The famous saying that ‘Statistics never lie’ holds good yet again, and statistically they haven’t breached the upper tier. Being the butt of numerous ‘relegation’ jokes, the Merseysiders have, at times, looked like schoolboys when it comes to adding the final touch to their extensive build-up play (some would even call it beautiful). Fabio Borini has been a target and a victim in this regard, because while his movement has been excellent, he hasn’t adjusted to the pace of the league as yet; that being the reason for his dreadful scoring record. Borini has also been sidelined for three months with injury, adding to Liverpool’s striking woes. Anfield will probably riot if a new striker isn’t signed this January (and I mean someone who can SCORE).

Bob Paisley – “If you’re in the penalty area and don’t know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we’ll discuss the options later.”

The defensive conundrum has also been extensively scrutinized. What was once a rock-solid back-four last season, seemed to be teetering under the pressure of adapting to the new manager’s style. The floodgates opened in the early season, with 12 goals being conceded in the first 6 games. The defence has gradually improved on the back of the incredible Skrtel-Agger partnership, and has looked a lot like the stingy defence of the old. The Everton game had a few scares, with Enrique’s individual haywire marking being the cause for Everton’s equalizer. Individual mistakes need to be ironed out for progress, and progress can only be achieved with increased concentration and awareness that this particular style of play requires. While I do know that individual mistakes will happen, the Reds need to focus on limiting the amount, as it could do a great deal of harm to their chances.

Liverpool are the Dark Horses in the race for the 4^th Champions League spot that will mainly be contested between Arsenal and Tottenham, with Everton looking to be outside suspects based on current form. It’s a long arduous season, and a tough road ahead. This could be the season of redemption at Anfield or just another broken season, a type that Anfield is too familiar with.

Liverpool are no mere pretenders this time around, and while they’re certainly not title contenders as yet, they could definitely sneak into the Top 4. It’s all a matter of placing the ball in the back of the net.

It’s simple really.