Reds We Can Believe In: Liverpool's Strengths and Weaknesses So Far

Barrack Obama is allegedly a West Ham fan but for the purposes of this piece lets imagine he's a manc-hating Red who persistently looks down on his nose at little blue neighbours. Lets imagine he is one of us and has had to endure the trauma of a generation without a league title and have to see many of our rivals outspend  us on their way to triumphs. However if he were in Rick Parry's shoes (now there's a thought), he would be urging Reds to say 'Yes We Can.'

Liverpool may be trophy-less at the end of the season but so far they have the hallmark and body-language of winners. They are spraying the ball around Anfield and other venues with a belief, conviction and skill that had not been since the best days of Evans. But they also have a resilience, hunger and determination to succeed and both of those combine to fuel a sustainable belief that Liverpool have turned a corner.

That is the story so far and while there has been two recent blips, Kopites are entitled to a cautious optimism for the rest of the season. However weaknesses remain within  but it's a hallmark of his managerial abilities that you have to think more to find those flaws.  

Strengths

Rafa and Sammy

The overall approach and fluidity of the team has reached a higher level than last season and I suspect this has more to do with the influence of Sammy Lee rather than that dreaded word 'rotation.' In fact Sammy's story is probably the most overlooked change within the Liverpool dressing room but that discussion is for another day. 

The biggest single improvement in Liverpool has been the collective mental strength of players and coaches. Some poor displays at the start of the season did not matter because late goals came that would not have come in previous seasons. Sometimes these goals come from luck, but more often than not they come from belief. Players are conditioned to give these performances by the training and tactics they  the coach so Rafa and Sammy - take a bow. 

Reina and Carra

Other than the Spurs game, Reina and Carra have been supremely solid at the back. The Spaniard had been more renowned for his wobbles than his talent for some bizarre reason. Now we are seeing his quality. Carra is as brave, mobile and as athletic as ever. Lets hope his heroism can continue. Martin 'don't meet me down an a dark alley'Skrtel is also worthy of a mention until his cruel injury. 

Alonso and Stevie G

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