From seventh to winning the Barclays Premier League in a season would be some feat for any club but Liverpool's turnaround in Brendan Rodgers second campaign in charge has been somewhat impressive.
Following a miserable stint under Kop legend Kenny Dalglish, despite winning some silverware the Merseysiders played predictable football, passing the ball from side-to-side without really penetrating the opposition's final third. The club spent big on Andy Carroll which didn't work out and the club was losing its heritage of fielding top quality players in front of the fans at Anfield.
It's not just the players who have grown...
Brendan Rodgers replaced Dalglish after transferring from Swansea City and began slowly. Buying players of little recognition and losing the battle in sealing Luis Suarez temperament. The Reds were out of Europe and out of contention for a title challenge.
Liverpool, however stuck with Rodgers, an intelligent Northern Irish fellow who would make the correct purchases in the transfer windows, bring through some of the club's developing youth and finally see a transformation that has seen some formidable football this term. 5-1 against Arsenal, 5-0 over Tottenham Hotspur, 3-0 away to Manchester United and yesterday’s 6-3 victory over Cardiff City have been only a few of the Reds magnificent displays this season.
Rodgers team is now renowned for it's attacking potent. With Luis Saurez now seemingly settled and enjoying his football, we have seen a classy individual, scoring freely whilst combining beautifully with his SAS partner Daniel Sturridge. Sturridge is also another revelation. With Suarez taming the beast he has possessed for so long, Sturridge has found form and matured with style, proving critics that he is a genuine talent.
EPL Top Goalscorers 2013-14
- 28 Suarez (Liverpool)
- 19 Sturridge (Liverpool)
- 16 Yaya Touré (ManCity)
- 15 Agüero (ManCity)
- 14 Hazard (Chelsea)
The SAS have been quite formidable with 47 goals between them taking into account the Uruguayan's seven match ban at the beginning of the campaign and Sturridge's small niggles along the way. Classic performances from the duo have seen magnificent displays, with Sturridge’s instinctive back heel to Suarez yesterday for his second being just one of the many majors improvement on last season.
Behind Suarez and Sturridge, Liverpool have four players who have contributed massively over the past six months. Steven Gerrard has dropped deeper to allow players to advance like he once did, realising his priorities lie elsewhere on the field. Philippe Coutinho is a majestic little footballer with intricate passing skills and with the ability to provide a killer ball to unleash a deadly attack. Jordan Henderson is much improved, possibly in contention for the midfielder of the season with confidence to knock the ball out of his feet and find space, whilst young Raheem Sterling plays with energy and a lack of fear with the strength of an ox despite his small build frame.
Can Liverpool pull off what was thought to be the impossible?
With a game in hand over leaders Chelsea and only trailing by four points Liverpool cannot by ruled out by any stretch of the imagination. Should Brendan Rodgers be able to guide his Liverpool side to the top of the table after the final whistle on game thirty-eight this would arguably be the greatest Barclays Premier League achievement of all time.
