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Liverpool's return to title contention this year has been a pleasant surprise, and there are reasons aplenty for that.
Even though Liverpool did not win this season EPL crown, the Merseysiders have done themselves proud! Brendan Rodgers, with his attacking style has done what many other managers before him weren't able to. He’s thrown caution to wind and uplifted the team and with his excellent man management skills has proved to everyone why he deserves to see Liverpool into the future. He inculcated an all out attacking playing style.
Their defence might be weak but this Ulsterman has transformed the club in a bid to bring back the good old glory days. They've taken a couple of steps in the right direction by qualifying directly for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, a goal which was clearly demarcated earlier in the season.
Not many English teams play pass and move football. Brendan Rodgers has presented to an avid viewer, a style that’s very much like how his old team Swanseea used to play and made Liverpool the most dangerous team on the counter attack in the Premier League. Yes! They can be red hot at times.
The signs were there last season too. I bet Liverpool must have hit the woodwork at least 50 odd times & Luis Suarez must have contributed to at least 30 of them. They lacked the killer instinct last season. But with Coutinho and Sturridge settling into the team & with the likes of Henderson and Sterrling coming of age, this Liverpool team has been very different. The Chelsea game apart, Anfield has been a fortress.
Another stand out point about this Liverpool team is that they've been able to adapt to changes in playing style, from a 3-4-3 to a 4-4-2 or to the diamond formation, this team has adapted brilliantly!
Why didn’t they win the league? Well it’s very simple; Manchester City let in way fewer goals as compared to them. The Citizens also had some experience in winning a PL medal, which really helped them keep their calm during the last couple of games.
The way Rodgers has man managed each of his players has been splendid. He put the Suarez controversy behind the club and got the Uruguayan to sign a new contract. He helped a young Sterrling put all the off- field distractions behind and concentrate on playing football. He’s managed the likes of Allen and Henderson awesomely well too. The two of them look to have come into their own over the course of this season. He’s the one behind the famous SAS partnership! He’s got the two to play as a unit and scare defences all over the country.
But the best part of this team is Steven Gerrard. Gerrard can play the long ball, track back effectively and still kill off games with important goals. Rodgers has changed the complexion of the No 8's career, one which looked to have stalled. At 33 he now looks a completely new player. Again, kudos to Rodgers and his brilliant man management skills.
Next season, opponents may adopt a very defensive style when they play the Reds! But, I feel Mr Rodgers will be mindful of this and find a way to goal. With more ammo to be added to the team and with more youngsters coming through the ranks, LFC will just go from strength to strength! Nonetheless, Liverpool, this year have been nothing short of beautiful and the Reds from Merseyside have left their mark on the English Premier League.
So, with this season behind us, let’s sit back and applaud this Liverpool team for showing us how much we love watching pure attacking football. Because, let’s face it, no footy fan loves watching a ‘parked bus’.
