2009 begins and we couldn't have asked for much more.
Liverpool currently find themselves at the Premier League summit. What a season it's been already.
We've already been on a whirlwind journey. Victory against our Mancunian rivals was well overdue and we managed to exorcise our Stamford bridge ghosts. Our good performances were summed up last week against Newcastle. Wasteful at times, but still cruising to a comfortable victory.
On the flip side, I still find myself confused when we drop silly points against the 'so called' lesser teams. Still, you can't win 'em all, as the saying goes.
Despite the points dropped and the inevitable blips, we do appear to be a class outfit this term. We seem to have developed some steel. A will to win and a throwback to the boot room era.
It's this attitude that has pulled us through in many games this season. A quality that champions must have.
I'm also impressed at the style of football we have begun to play. It's roots are planted deeply in Benitez soil, almost machine-like at times. But we also have the ability to turn it on. To step up a gear or two and turn on the flair.
Much of this is down to the introduction of Albert Riera and has coincided with a return to form from Xabi Alonso.
Riera is naturally a left sided player and is in the mould of your typical winger. He has the strength needed to survive in the Premier League and good flair and imagination. To top this off he has a clever football brain and I can only see him improving under Benitez.
Playing with the world class players currently at Anfield has brought out the best of him, something that couldn't be achieved during his time at City.
Alonso is like a new man this season. His passing is sublime at times and he practically ran the first half in the weekend cup game. If we are to maintain our current form and challenge the title until the end of the season, we must keep Alonso at Anfield.
A player that is sometimes overlooked and possibly under-appreciated by some is Pepe Riena.
For me, he is up there with the best goalkeepers in the world. I certainly couldn't name anybody worthy of replacing him.
The defence must feel less pressure knowing they have Pepe behind them. His first season was possibly his worst and did lead to undue criticism. Since then he's been collecting golden glove awards and earning respect, left right and centre.
Pepe can be for us now what Peter Schmeichel was for Manchester Utd in the 90's.
Aside from the players mentioned, I think we can safely say that Liverpool have quality all over the park. There's competition for places and we have coped well with injuries in key areas of the field, showing the depth we have (that some pundits still feel we lack).
We are no longer relying on the same players week in, week out. We now have a solid 'team' ethic.
Robbie Keane is finally proving the doubters wrong and with Torres, Skrtel and Aurelio just coming back from injury, I'm positive the best is still to come.
I am desperate for this to be the season we finally return to the pinnacle of English football. A place I feel we rightly belong. However, if for some reason we run close but fall short, I'm still happy at the sight of the best Liverpool team in well over a decade.
Not that I think we will be pipped of course. 19 years and our 19th title. Surely this is our season.
5 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
Carolina Tiger 5 months ago
Sorry to rain on your parade but I can't see Liverpool having the staying power. I hope I am wrong I really do. I am sick of the usual supects winning the title but I really don'e see Liverpool doing it. They were lucky to beat Hull City my team this season and although we are doin fairly well this season the Team that wins the Premiership should be doing more than scrapping a lucky draw against little old Hull City.
This added to the misfortune that Steven Gerrard has got himself into means that the one player that has dragged Liverpool above the others will now have his mind elsewhere and not on his game.
I also think you need to get rid of Dossena and Reira. Get Torres back in the team not Keane or you won't be in the top spot come May.
Edit Comment Cancel
Steve Clark 5 months ago
Hi Caroline.
Don't worry, you haven't rained on my parade in the slightest. Little old Hull is underselling you a little I think. You;ve played very well in a lot of games and troubled lots of teams, not just Liverpool. I do agree to an extent, Liverpool should be wiining these games if we are serious title contenders.
What people forget is that in seasons gone by, the champions elect have all had these kind of results. Man Utd and Chelsea have scraped through in games against inferior oppostition on many occasions. It's 'par for the course'.
Dossena, I'll have to agree with you on him at this point. He's done very little to convince me that he has what it takes. I don't think many Liverpool fans would argue that.
Riera, well I whole heartedly disagree. Although still a little inconsistent, he's added an extra dimension. The width we've been crying out for is there now.
Lastly, the gerrard situation has been blown out of proportion and knowing the kind of character Steven is, I'm certain this won't impact his performances. We've also won big games without him this season. He didn't start against Man Utd and we all know what happened there.
Thank you for your comment. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I hope hull finish the season as well as they started it.
Edit Comment Cancel
Barney 5 months ago
Very well written Steve!
We do have good depth all over the field, except perhaps in goal, as you mentioned, but Pepe Reina never seems to be injured so that's all good! We need a better left-back, unless Insua can make the step up earlier than expected, but other than that we have a very strong team! Surely this must be our year indeed!
Edit Comment Cancel
Nathan Cicchini 5 months ago
Over the past few seasons Liverpool has had a stronger second half than a first half. I think its our year! Reira is awesome and I am still shocked that after coming back from 2 nil down within the first half that we didnt go on to absolutely annhialite Hull City.....
Edit Comment Cancel
Talib Mahmood 5 months ago
Hi Steve!
With the current squad, which I believe the best ever squad ever assembled during Rafa's reign, we have the qualities to go all the way of capturing the 19th title.
This is the year!
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.