Liverpool FC: How to Maximise the Returns from the Remaining Season

Well, this season has been a roller-coaster affair for the Reds. 

The Reds finally managed to win a trophy after six long years in the form of the Carling Cup and remain in firm contention for its more prestigious cousin—the FA Cup.

However, in the Premier League, which is arguably far more important—both in terms of prestige as well as for Champions League qualification—the Reds have failed to live up to the standards expected of them.

With only nine games remaining in the season, Liverpool languish in seventh place and lie 12 points off fourth place and the final Champions League spot.

Realistically, Liverpool would not be playing in Europe's most prestigious competition next season. 

With a place in the Europa League confirmed though the Carling Cup win and a less likely probability of reaching the place that would get them Champions League football, what should the Reds' priority be for the remaining season?

The obvious answer that comes into mind is to try and win as many matches as possible, finish at fifth or sixth place and focus firmly on winning the FA Cup. 

However, the current situation also presents the Reds with a great opportunity. 

Even without European football, Liverpool would be playing about 50 matches this season.

Next year, with the Europa League also adding to its list of fixtures, Liverpool would be required to play far in excess of that, closer to 60-70 matches in the season.

Currently, with the injuries, the manager is only left with a pool of 17-18 players to choose from at any point of time. This may become a major issue next season with the Thursday mid-week matches.

To cope with such a demanding schedule, the club would require a larger pool of players to choose from.

Liverpool has a great crop of young players waiting on the fringes of first team as well as the players from the academy, who could be given a taste of first-team football in the period from now to the end of the season.

Liverpool has a host of youngsters to choose from.

There are players such as Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Robinson, John Flanagan and Sebastian Coates, who have been on the fringes of first-team football.

In addition to the above, there are promising youngsters like Raheem Sterling, Adam Morgan, Suso, Conor Coady, Andre Wisdom and Peter Gulacsi waiting in the wings, who have impressed for the Reserves as well as the academy teams.

This could help the Reds in developing a far greater pool of players to choose from who possess the requisite experience of the first team, as well as give greater hope to the youngster about their first-team future at the club.

Shelvey and Coates would now start to hope for more first-team football. 

Sterling, Suso and Coady also should start getting glimpses of first-team football. Liverpool have started involving these youngsters by calling them to train with the first team, but they need to start seeing some first-team football soon.

Hence, the general mood of these youngsters would be much better, and they would greatly benefit from the confidence gained by playing for the first team. 

Even if two or three of these youngsters shows glimpses of being ready for regular first-team football, it would be a successful exercise.