Media watch Steven Gerard sent his penalty into the top corner and took Liverpools title odds that little bit lower. A 3-2 comeback victory at Fulham, having twice trailed, is the kind of match that realigns assessments, reaffirms potential. Remember Cristiano Ronaldos late goal at Craven Cottage in May 2007 that propelled Manchester Uniteds championship charge after three barren seasons.Liverpool are not where United were but their performance by the banks of the Thames remains one that gives validity to their role as genuine contenders for the Barclays Premier League. Bookmakers Coral now make Liverpool a shorter price than Arsenal, 8-1 compared to 9-1, despite a three-point deficit for the team in fourth.Such numbers reflect a prophesising of what is to come; Liverpool are a side on the ascent. That Gerrard scored the injury-time goal to continue his teams climb is apt. He is the one whose mantle-piece lacks a title winners medal with greatest glare. In November he admitted it would leave a hole in his career were he never to lift the trophy and spoke of regrets from the 2008-09 season when Liverpool were top at Christmas but could not keep pace with United and finished second. Liverpool got the Christmas No 1 spot this season too and last month Gerrard said it is quite possibly his best chance to win the Premier League since his debut in 1998. He joked: If someone said to me now, Cover half your body in tattoos and youll win the Premier League Id do it tomorrow. A jest with serious core.Why so serious? Because Liverpool have something each of their rivals covet. Lets start with goals. Three more on Wednesday night to take their campaign total to 66. That is two fewer than Manchester City and without half the attention. Luis Suarez is a major factor clearly, but those who enjoy fantasy football will be aware he has not found the net in his last three outings. Daniel Sturridge has done on each to make it eight goals in his last seven in the league. What Chelsea would do for either striker. Moving on, Brendan Rodgers is emerging as a manager capable of mixing it at the top of the table. He is now cast as the strong leader of a confident group. Thankfully, the envelopes have been put back in the drawer. Manuel Pellegrini has bitten back at jibes from Jose Mourinho in recent weeks and perhaps appeared a little rattled. Pressure does that to people. At the minute, Rodgers is opting for humour. We might be the chihuahua that runs in between the legs of the horses, he said post-Fulham. Momentum is another pillar. While Arsenal flounder and key players seem burnt out, Liverpool look invigorated and have five wins and two draws in their last seven. Defence is a concern, with Kolo Toures contributions aiding the opposition more often than not recently, but Daniel Agger returned from injury against Fulham to cheer Rodgers. Finally, there is the Champions League. Liverpools credentials can partly be gauged by Mourinhos persistent inclination to highlight their freedom from European competition. More than once the Chelsea manager has mentioned it without much encouragement. The point is valid. If were still in the mix when the Champions League restarts then who knows what might happen, said Gerrard after victory at Fulham. They have all got big Champions League games while weve only got to think about one game a week. Back-to-back defeats to City and Chelsea in late December derailed Liverpool for a period and the reverse fixtures could prove pivotal. City visit Anfield on April 12, while Chelsea arrive on April 26. That Champions League fixtures are scheduled for the preceding days on each occasion will not be lost on either Pellegrini or Mourinho. What odds then if Liverpool are still in contention.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Feb 2014 23:15:01 +0000
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