Liverpool's 12 Days of Christmas
Liverpool can approach the busy festive season in the Premier League in slightly better spirits than a couple of weeks ago, after some improved recent performances—despite results still not being quite as good as hoped for.
A League Cup quarter-final win was followed by perhaps the best performance of the season by the team at the weekend, which gave a 2-2 draw against Arsenal and some hope for the future after a season of struggle and despair so far.
With it being the season of giving, we've taken a look at just what the Reds and their fans might be asking for this year—after all, for most of 2014, they were very good indeed.
And we promise no jokes about a Richie Partridge in a pear tree.
1st Day: Some Long Trousers for Colin Pascoe
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Christmas Day itself is pretty straightforward: It's the day of giving presents, it's freezing cold in England, the nights are long—and Colin Pascoe is still in shorts.
Get that man a pair of long, warm leggings to wear on the bench!
2nd Day: 3 Points on Boxing Day
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On the second day of Christmas...Liverpool have a rather important fixture to attend to.
A team struggling for goals and with one of the worst defensive records in the league, just one win in the league in the last four isn't good form at all—but enough about Liverpool, their opponents, Burnley, are in the same boat.
The north-west side are floundering in the drop zone and shouldn't be able to resist the Reds if their approach play is anything like it was against Arsenal. Liverpool simply must win this game.
3rd Day: A Set Role for Steven Gerrard
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Club captain Steven Gerrard may or may not start the Burnley match, but he certainly can't play every minute of every game over the busy December and January period.
At some point, soon, manager Brendan Rodgers has to determine how he gets the best out of the No. 8 without compromising the shape and ability of the team going forward. Gerrard played OK against Arsenal, but the fact he was outshone both defensively and offensively by Lucas Leiva is worrying.
No longer a holder, a deep controller or a No. 10, Gerrard has played the last few games as something like a standard, do-it-all central midfielder. Can he do that extensively and deliver quality while playing that role? Does he need to be a Frank Lampard-esque sub in an attacking role?
Where does he fit? Rodgers must answer this and Gerrard must show it.
4th Day: Top-4 Rivals to Cancel Each Other out
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On the fourth day of Christmas...Liverpool don't play, but several of their rivals do.
In fact, several of their rivals play each other over the next few weeks, and it would be great for the Reds if they could all draw 0-0 every time. And probably pick up a few niggling injuries—nothing major. Or maybe a red card. Whatever, just so that the gap doesn't widen further between Liverpool in 10th and the sides above them chasing third and fourth.
Key games which the Reds will keep an eye on:
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United, Dec 26
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United, Dec 28
West Ham United vs. Arsenal, Dec 28
Southampton vs. Arsenal, Jan 1
5th Day: A League Goal from Mario Balotelli
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On the fifth day of Christmas...Liverpool are at home to Swansea City.
Free from suspension (provided no more social mishaps) and recovered from injury (assuming no disastrous Christmas pudding/firework combinations), Mario Balotelli should be back in the squad.
He went close to ending his barren league run in front of goal against Manchester United but really needs to hit the goal trail soon if the Reds are to play catch-up.
A goal at Anfield would be the perfect way end the first half of the season.
6th Day: Strikers on the Pitch
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Of course, for that to happen, Liverpool are going to need Balotelli actually on the pitch at some point. In fact, any strikers at all on the pitch at times would be nice.
The Reds went into the second half of the game against Basel with no striker, they've had Raheem Sterling as their No. 9 of late, Rickie Lambert has gone from not playing to playing ALL THE TIME and back to not playing...and Fabio Borini lasted about 12 minutes on the pitch before being sent off against Arsenal.
It's almost impossible to remember a time when Liverpool had a regular, undisputed, in-form, natural forward of any kind.
7th Day: Raheem Sterling to Sign a New Contract
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On the seventh day of Christmas...Liverpool fans will be praying that Raheem Sterling announces a contract extension.
The timing couldn't be better: the last day of the year, the perfect way for the fans to close out 2014—and a single day before the transfer window opens.
Sterling signing before that happens would save a lot of headaches, heartache and worry as the rumour mills grind into gear.
8th Day: Consecutive Home Victories
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On the eighth day of Christmas...2015 is upon us and so is the first match of the new year.
Liverpool have a great chance to string a few wins in a row together, with Burnley and Swansea coming before the home game to Leicester City. Two teams at the bottom end of the table and one who, though impressive, are certainly beatable.
The Reds cannot afford anything other than a relentless approach to picking up points as they try to make ground on the top four. Make it happen, Brendan.
9th Day: Defend the Odd Set Piece with Conviction, Aggression and Success
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If wins are to be forthcoming, Liverpool need to improve mightily on one particular aspect of their play: defending set pieces.
Last season and this, the number of chances and goals given up by simply not being able to effectively clear their lines has been horrendous, with their most recent game only the latest example of that deficiency.
The list of beneficiaries this term alone including the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Ludogorets, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Arsenal...
Come on, lads. Head clear a corner or a free-kick. Just one.
10th Day: A New Goalkeeper?
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On the 10th day of Christmas...the transfer window is well open by now and Liverpool, if the transfer rumour columns are to be believed, should have about 15 incoming goalkeepers.
Of course, you probably don't believe them—so just one would be fine, if it's the right one.
The Amazing Levitating Brad Jones aside, there's not much to give confidence or hope about the goalkeeping situation at Anfield right now: Simon Mignolet, poor all season, has been dropped completely, while Jones has conceded eight goals from 12 shots on target in his three games.
Something has to change.
The answer, by the way, is not Asmir Begovic. Nor Victor Valdes.
11th Day: A Win in the FA Cup 3rd Round
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On the 11th day of Christmas...Liverpool travel to London to face AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup third round.
The Reds last won the cup competition in 2006, while they also reached the final and lost in 2012. Brendan Rodgers hasn't done terribly well in cup competitions with Liverpool so far, so the League Cup run to the semi-finals is a nice change.
Against much lower-level opposition, Liverpool must continue their (hoped-for) step-up in results and performances by looking to make a cup run here, too, starting with a resounding victory over the Dons.
12th Day: Daniel Sturridge, Fit and Firing for the Rest of the Season
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Maybe along with Raheem Sterling signing a new deal, this is one of the biggest non-match-related gifts that Liverpool could receive this winter—getting Daniel Sturridge fit and back out on the pitch.
After hitting 20 league goals last season, he has managed just three appearances this term. He has been sorely, sorely missed by the team, who have struggled for goals and final-third quality in his absence.
Getting the England international back in the XI on a regular basis is a must for Liverpool's continual improvement and climb up the league table.
Whether attacking reinforcements arrive in January or not, Sturridge is the top man and he must be made fit and in form as quickly as possible.
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