Liverpool: Why Reds Proved a Top-4 Finish Is Achievable vs. Manchester City

It wasn't even a victory, but Liverpool's first point of the Premier League season, picked up against reigning champions Manchester City, showed plenty of signs that the Reds can challenge for a Champions League place again this season.

There were some stand-out individual performances from the home team, but the most impressive of all was the overall team aspect.

Martin Skrtel scored Liverpool's first goal with a towering header before Yaya Toure scrambled home an equaliser in the second half.

Within minutes, Luis Suarez's free kick put the Reds ahead again, but a dreadful Skrtel backpass allowed Carlos Tevez to nip in and fire the late equaliser, as the score ended 2-2.

Here are five reasons why Liverpool showed they can push for a top-four place this term.

Obvious Signs That Brendan Rodgers' Philosophy Is Being Adhered to

Though Manchester City certainly settled the quicker at Anfield, Liverpool soon came into the game with some fine spells of passing and ball retention.

City, with Carlos Tevez leading from the front, did attempt to press the Reds on the ball as quickly as possible, but both the defence and the midfield of the home team stayed remarkably calm in possession and were happy to work their way forward past the halfway line before turning back when necessary to start again.

This patience and prolonged build-up play is exactly what Brendan Rodgers wants to see from his team, as it will, in time, lead to Liverpool dominating more fully matches and, in turn, lead to the creation of quality scoring chances.

They are not there yet, as Martin Skrtel's late howler proved rather drastically, but they are on their way.

Signings Coming in Are Shaped to the Team

One player stood out above all others on the Anfield pitch on Sunday: Joe Allen.

The new midfield signing ran the show against City despite having to switch roles early on after the injury to Lucas Leiva.

Allen was exemplary in his usage and distribution of the ball, combining technique with vision and ability to execute. Off the ball, he was also quick to press the City attackers, strong in the challenge and always looking to help out the fullbacks on both sides of the pitch.

Allen is a great example of players finally being bought at Liverpool to suit a long-term system rather than bringing them in and shaping the team around them, or else switching their usual place in the team to try and fit in others as well.

Fabio Borini fills a similar role in the forward line, and other new signings should do likewise.

Tactically and Technically, Liverpool out-Played the Champions

Despite Manchester City's good start, where they were certainly the better side for the opening 25 minutes, Liverpool grew quickly in the match thereafter and were the dominant force for much of the remainder of the match.

City were, for long stretches, unable to do anything about Liverpool's ball-playing ability, which opened them up at the back on several occasions.

Roberto Mancini's tactical switch from last year's 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 has drawn questions from some quarters, but playing with a back three obviously suits their team—but in this instance, Liverpool's midfield out-worked and out-shaped City's team.

As a result, Liverpool created far more clear-cut chances than the away side, with Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez both having sights on goal as well as a few efforts from range from Steven Gerrard and Jonjo Shelvey.

By contrast, both City's goals were handed to them, and the only real goal-scoring chance they fashioned themselves fell late on to Edin Dzeko, who fired over from close range.

Further Players to Come Back into the Team

Daniel Agger missed the Manchester City game through suspension and is a hugely important player for the Reds.

The organiser, most technically-proficient and the inspiration for the rest of the team in the back line, Agger also helps Liverpool build from deep with his on-the-ball comfort levels.

Not to mention, the Dane in the team also lets Martin Skrtel switch back to his more natural right side.

New permanent signing Oussama Assaidi has yet to make his Liverpool debut and will add further depth to the bench in the attacking third, whilst Nuri Sahin, signed on loan from Real Madrid, will also have a big impact on the quality of the team once he finds his form and fitness.

Allied to Brendan Rodgers' admission that one or two new signings could still come into the club before the transfer window shuts, and Liverpool are looking much more like a squad who could seriously challenge for a top-four spot than the one who ended the 2011-12 season.

Individual Brilliance to Win Games

Having the team set up the right way, having everybody playing to the same tactics and having a technically-strong first XI are all massive components in building a successful side, no doubt about it.

But sometimes, against the most well-organised defences or in those games when things just don't quite click, having a player in the team with that maverick ability, that extra individualism, can make the difference between a single point and the full compliment of three.

In Luis Suarez, Liverpool already had that in the front line, while the ongoing match-winning ability of captain Steven Gerrard, even at 32 years of age, is not to be forgotten.

But Brendan Rodgers has just handed a full Premier League debut to another player who possesses the pace, skill and ability to become a third option for Liverpool in Raheem Sterling.

Tricky, eager to cut inside and head to goal, but equally comfortable roving down the outside of a defender, Sterling will quickly become the go-to man for fans to make something happen, but cautions should be taken to ensure the physical and mental well-being of a youngster does not take a hit too early.

Sterling is a precocious talent, no doubt about it, and starting big matches so early shows his real ability. He can win points and games for Liverpool this season—if he keeps his feet grounded and if the club in general remembers his inexperience and youth when things don't go quite so well for him.

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