Liverpool FC: Contenders or Pretenders?

As Luis Suarez bagged a fourth hat trick of his Liverpool career, he is already drawing comparisons to the great number 7’s this club has produced over the years.

Keeping hold of Suarez might just be the best piece of business the club has done this summer. He and Daniel Sturridge – SAS as they have famously come to be known, have got off to a great start, scoring 18 league goals between them this season. To put this into perspective, the duo have scored and assisted more than 75% of Liverpool’s goals, propelling them to second place. Keeping them fit will be vital to the club’s campaign this season.

It comes as no surprise that club captain and talisman, Steven Gerrard tops the charts for the most number assists and chances created by a player this season. It is no mean feat, considering he has been playing a more withdrawn role under the new manager.

When you throw the Brazil magician, Philippe Coutinho, hardworking Lucas, and the solidity of Daniel Agger, new recruits Mamadou Sakho and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet into the mix, Liverpool FC look a formidable outfit.

The Gaffer at the helm, Brendon Rodgers, a shrewd tactician, looks to have eventually found his feet, after floundering last season. He has restored Anfield to the fortress it was in the yesteryears, winning 5 out of 6 at home this season. However, he still looks undecided on his best 11 and has been tinkering a little too much for everyone’s’ liking.

The unconventional 3-5-2 which was introduced to accommodate the SAS partnership, looked to have worked until Jose Enrique tweaked a muscle and needed to get operated. His replacement, on-loan Aly Cissokho leaves much to be desired and looks almost pedestrian at times. Rodgers has had to revert to the 4-4-2 since, which is working just fine, and looks to be the way going forward. It is only a matter of time before the astute leader finds the stability he is looking for.

The prospects for the Liverpool faithful are lip-smacking.

As the January transfer window looms, Rodgers can go for the jugular by splashing the cash to add to the quality of the squad, and give the title a red-hot go. A pacey winger, goal scoring creative mid-fielder, and a recognized left back to provide the much needed cover for Jose Enrique will be at the top of the Merseyside’s shopping list, provided, the owner backs him with the funds. However, keeping hold of the Uruguayan striker, will be the management’s primary mandate, yet again.

A top-four finish must be a bare minimum for the vociferous fans and the ambitious owner John W Henry, who has pumped in almost 150M since his takeover, and has done a lot to stabilize the club which looked in a transitional phase for the last couple of seasons.

The last time Liverpool managed to accrue 20 points or more off their first 9 games, they went on to get 86 points that season, only finishing second to Manchester United. With their immediate rivals consistently dropping points, Liverpool haven’t had a better chance to vie for the ultimate prize.

Can Liverpool sustain this magnificent form, come end of the season and mount a serious challenge for the title? Only time will tell, but things are certainly looking up for this elite European football club.