Liverpool don't usually start well.
This season, though, is a different matter.
Djibril Cisse, Florent Sinama Pongolle, and Neil Mellor are out, and the club's opening day victory at Aston Villa got them off on the right foot.
They haven't looked back since.
Liverpool dropped points at home to Chelsea, but a steady performance at Sunderland produced a 2-0 win courtesy of Momo Sissoko and Andriy Voronin.
That victory was followed by a 6-0 destruction of Derby at Anfield, with goals from Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel, and Voronin.
Notice the variation of the scorers.
Goals are coming from all over the field, which takes pressure off the strikers. Torres, Voronin, Peter Crouch, and Dirk Kuyt are expected to score, as is Steven Gerrard, but they certainly don't mind the help.
The Liverpool defense is stalwart. The acquisition of Pepe Reina did no harm, nor did the emergence of Daniel Agger alongside the world-class Jamie Carragher.
Last season, the club only conceded 27 EPL goals; the season before it was 25. This year, they might be even better—Liverpool have only been scored upon twice in their first four games.
Of course, the competition hasn't exactly been fierce, which is why Liverpool fans shouldn't be getting carried away just yet.
Yes, they have played Chelsea, but they'll face sterner tests down the road. This weekend's game against a resurgent Portsmouth side, for example, promises to be a battle.
In any event, Liverpool's strength is its depth.
Up front, Voronin and Torres have led the way with three and four goals, respectively. Kuyt is off to something of a slow start, but he promises to get better. Crouch, unfortunately, has been reduced to a squad player—but 12 goals in 21 international appearances tells its own story.
The midfield is also strong, with Babel and Jermaine Pennant anchoring the centre, and Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, and Javier Mascherano giving Rafael Benitez a wealth of talent to work with.
Defensively, Benitez can partner Carragher with either Agger or Sami Hyypia. Fullbacks Alvaro Arbeloa, John Arne Riise, Steve Finnan, and Fabio Aurelio are all viable options.
The best thing about the majority of Liverpool's midfielders and defenders is their versatility. For example, you can expect Riise to play some games on the left side of the midfield this season, and Arbeloa to play all across the back line.
All in all, it's shaping to be Liverpool's greatest EPL season in recent memory, and the club also look well-suited for a Champions League run.
We'll see if it all adds up to any silverware for the Red half of Merseyside...
Havent written nethin 4 a wyl.Check dis 1 out.Its surely worth a read.Opinions are welcome,negative or otherwise.thank u (Read More)
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10 months ago
It would be great to hear people's views on Liverpool's season and their potential to win things this year. Any comments would be great on the issue.
Nate
10 months ago
I agree that this is Liverpool's best squad since the Premier League began.
Their main strength has always been in defence, and have kept the most league clean sheets in both the last 2 seasons. This season they are yet to concede a goal from open play, with both coming from penalties, and with Arbeloa replacing Riise as first choice left back their defensive record should be even better.
But the main improvement is in attack. Pennant has continued his excellent form from the end of last season, and the introduction of Babel and Benayoun means more chances are being created. And they are being converted, 16 goals in 6 league and european matches, comming from all over the team, even Momo Sissoko managed to score after two years of failing.
The most impressive thing about Liverpool at the moment is the strength in depth, it doesnt seem to matter who is playing, the result remains the same. When Carragher is injured, Hyypia steps in and the difference is hardly noticable,and even with out Gerrard, Liverpool can argue Alonso Mascherano and Sissoko are still the best Central midfield in the League.
I believe, for the first time in many years, the they will be challenging for the title come April and May, and if the players can handle the pressure, as Man United and Chelsea have in recent years to gain the much needed experience, then they can win the League, and maybe the Champions League as well.
10 months ago
I agree that this is Liverpool's finest squad since the modern Premiership began, but I don't necessarily think that the players on the team are the best or most talented since then. Rather, the manner in which they work together, teamed with the level of determination they are showing, has lead to such commanding performances. Man U and Chelsea surely have better men on the pitch, but they haven't achieved the same level of total coordination. A lot can be learned from the men in red this year.
from 10 months ago
I see your point.
if you look at the right side of United's midfield you have Ronaldo whereas Liverpool have Pennant. But then you look at United's frontline compared to Liverpool's and Liverpool come up trumps for me.
It varies all over the pitch for different teams. I think Liverpool have built early season momentum and are likely to carry on for many fixtures to come.
10 months ago
I'm a huge Liverpool fan, but a little disappointed with the draw to Portsmouth. With all things considered, including the international break and champions league on Tuesday. I would like to have seen Gerrard and Torres start, while leaving our experience and depth to handle Porto in the champions league.
from 10 months ago
Yeah I definitely see what you mean about Liverpool's performance. It all seemed a bit flat. It does show that Torres adds a different dimension to their play and is a vital member of the Red's team already.
Very likely that they will be both back for Porto and we should see Liverpool back to their best.
10 months ago
liverpool are poo
10 months ago
everton are gr8
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