To be fair to Brendan Rodgers, he has never once shirked the suggestion that Liverpool could be ready to launch a title bid. Even if this surge to the Premier League’s summit has taken us by surprise, he won’t be unduly shocked. The manager’s enthusiasm and ability to provoke a reaction from a group that at times looked beleaguered has never waned – despite a difficult first season at Anfield. Even if Rodgers believed they could do it, the word ‘champions’ didn’t exactly ring around Melwood in August. But transfer market shrewdness – this summer and most pertinently in January – has seen Liverpool quickly develop into a side that can remain in contention. At £12million Daniel Sturridge looked a serious gamble but he is flourishing. You won’t see a more exquisite finish all year than his chip over Boaz Myhill in Saturdays 4-1 win over West Brom. Then there’s the little man beside him, Luis Suarez. Tenacity, a desire above all else to win – which undeniably can stretch the limits of what is acceptable – and the lowest centre of gravity in the division make him the scariest opponent. They are, simply put, the most frightening duo in English football at this moment. While the pair have taken all the plaudits – 14 goals between them already - there is certainly a backbone of a title-winning team. At this stage last year Rodgers had seen his back four concede 14 goals. They’ve only been breached on eight occasions so far. Thats an 11-goal swing in just nine matches. Something serious is going on. New goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has made some vital stops since moving from Sunderland – and there have been subtle tweaks in front of him. Kolo Toure, derided at Manchester City, has found a new lease of life. Mamadou Sakho admits he isn’t anywhere near his best but has given added height and presence. They were ruthless in midfield against West Brom during the 4-1 demolition. The choices now being made in there by Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson in particular are purposeful. Last season was pass, pass, pass. And pass some more. The 3-0 opening day defeat against West Brom was a case in point. Rodgers’ first game in charge, they looked commanding in the opening 45 minutes. The hosts couldn’t get near them. What was lacking was the speed of thought to know when to force the issue and when to retain possession. Responsibility was passed on all too easily and their attempts to score perfect goals comfortably repelled. So watching Liverpool notch in a variety of different ways – Saturday was a textbook example – shows they have grown and adapted. Suarez’s first was a moment of brilliance, but he can be thankful that Toure, coming out from defence, looked forward rather than to his wing-back. The second was a piece of instinctive genius, concocted by a decent forage by Aly Cissokho, and the hat-trick will have given Rodgers satisfaction too. Nestled in between defenders, Suarez was found by Gerrard from a set-piece and flicked home. The Uruguayan is feared by every other side in the division but there is more to it with Liverpool. The way in which Sturridge and Suarez are firing will please the boss, as will the more efficient passing and pressing. Squad depth could be a determinate factor as to whether Liverpool can keep pace, but the way in which they killing teams – ‘death by football’ perhaps – means you simply cannot write the Merseysiders off. As others remain calamity cases, Rodgers’ side – apart from an afternoon they had central defenders playing at full back against Southampton – have been almost faultless. The boss has been given a wealth to spend, and not always wisely, but that is the same for each and every club that will fancy lifting the Premier League come May. A trip to Arsenal on Saturday will be some sort of barometer, particularly how they cope when under the cosh, but not even a defeat there could dampen what has been a blistering start which should – if key men stay fit – continue. (Mo)
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:37:09 +0000
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