18 Yard Box has a look at the Reds' season so far and analyse their chances of finishing in the top four.
The Reds of the Mersyside were the most dominant team of the 70s and 80s in UK but the premier league advent hasnt been kind to them for the once mighty reds have faded into a mid table team. The season has seen them look to Brendan Rodgers to turn the corner and become the dominant force again, How far have they come? 18 Yard Box takes a look.
Top 4 chances
8th in the league but only 8 points away from the 3rd place, Liverpool have managed to turn the corner from a fairly innocuous start. The youth revolution that Rodgers seems to have installed at the team has settled in with the bright lights being the likes of Rahem Sterling, Suso, Shelvey to name a few. Add to the youngsters, the brilliance of Suarez (arguably the best striker in the league at the moment), the reassurance of Gerrard, the wing play of Enrique (injured though at the moment), Liverpool have managed to get the team combination as well as the belief back. The first half may have been more of a stop start campaign but in the second half, with the right reinforcements, Liverpool may just be the late yet genuine contenders for a top 4 finish.
Woes
Goalkeeping continues to be a concern. Pepe Reina is a pale shadow of his former self and without an assured keeper between the sticks, Liverpool are hanging on for dear life at times.
If Reina has been average, the same can be said of the Liverpool defense. Good on days and poor on more days than one, the back 4 is again left clutching straws when pushed to a corner. Liverpool also seem to be unsure on their mid field formation or who to support Suarez. The big games seem to be more of a one man show- Suarez whereas the rest of the team appear to be in hiding, How long can Luis carry the team on his shoulders?
Where the Liverpool supporters have hailed Suarez's contribution, one has turned a blind eye towards his selfish nature. Going for goals and not spotting other players at better positions, is Suarez's only mistake. There have been ocassions when he had the opportunity to squre the ball to Sterling to finish off the game but he hasnt used it. Preferring to go for goal himself at most times, he has wasted innumerable amount of chances that may have killed the game.
Tactical Overview
Brendan Rodgers has been spot on with the tactics he has emplyed at Anfield. Infusing young blood, he has tried to create a team for the furture with Suarez as the fulcrum. Keeping the experience of Gerrard and Carragher in the team, he has ensured that Liverpool never lack experience.
Another credit which must be given to Rodgers is the emergence of Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing. Both players, who were criticised of being not upto the mark, have risen and have been consistent performers for Liverpool this season. Brendan Rodger's tactics of deploying Downing on the right in certain games has been spot on. He has also been playing Jose Enrique as a left wing back at times which has been a treat to watch as Enrique is excellent going forwards.
There are ocassions when these tactics have backfired but he has brought a freshness to the Liverpool side which had been missing since the departure of Benitez. His 4-2-3-1 with Allen at the hub of the proceedings seems to be doing a fantastic job as Liverpool have looked mencaing going forward.
The only place that Liverpool lack is the defense. Although having world class defenders, Liverpool have lacked the awareness in defense. Conceding goals to lower teams has caused the confidence of the back 4 to go low. However, with the recent clean sheets in the League, this problem looks as if it has been sorted.
18YB Suggests
With Sturridge signed, Liverpool may feel they have a wide right/ forward who can play with Suarez or can play on his own when the need be but that remains to be seen as Sturridge is still not the finished product. Here are some suggestions which 18 Yard Box would like to make which would improve the Liverpool squad.
(These players need not be linked with the club and are purely suggestions)
Theo Walcott
If fit, Andy Carroll should be called back at the earliest but at the moment he is not. Liverpool need a target man who can feed Suarez/Sturridge and when need be, score as well. Theo Walcott might be an answer to the problem.
Excellent pace and decent on the ball, Walcott has not signed a new contract with Arsenal. This situation has been closely monitored by the Liverpool boss as the 23 year old has been in fantastic form for the Gunners. Scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle United playing as the central striker, Walcott has shown that he can be more than just a unidimensional winger.
Ricardo Kaka
Nuri Sahin was supposed to be the answer to that hole in the mid field but he is lost in transition. With Rodgers being a close pal of Jose, can he raid Real again and get a player who can come and provide the spark that is desperately needed, Kaka could be the answer if not there is a certain Mesut Ozil who apparently is not happy at Madrid ( both have huge weekly wages though) It can sound preposterous but stranger things have happened in football.
Kaka, who has had trouble finding is feet in the Madrid side might be tempted for a move to the Premier League. This might be his opportunity and we think that Liverpool should go for the experienced forward.
Simon Mignolet
Reina on his last legs and Liverpool need a strong GK. Doni either needs to step up Liverpool may just need to look at the premier league teams for a possible answer. Sunderland goal keeper Simon Mignolet could well be the answer.
Excellent shot stopping skills and brilliant kicking ability has won Mignolet recognition. With many clubs hovering around him for his signature, Liverpool might have competition. But a keeper of Mignolet's calibre is just what Liverpool need.
Will Liverpool finish in the top 4 or will they take another year to reach there? This remains to be seen as the place for the top 4 heats up.
Written By,
Vinay Prabhakar and Rishabh Ghai
Vinay is a writer for 18 Yard Box
 |
| Can Reds do it this season? |
The Reds of the Mersyside were the most dominant team of the 70s and 80s in UK but the premier league advent hasnt been kind to them for the once mighty reds have faded into a mid table team. The season has seen them look to Brendan Rodgers to turn the corner and become the dominant force again, How far have they come? 18 Yard Box takes a look.
Top 4 chances
8th in the league but only 8 points away from the 3rd place, Liverpool have managed to turn the corner from a fairly innocuous start. The youth revolution that Rodgers seems to have installed at the team has settled in with the bright lights being the likes of Rahem Sterling, Suso, Shelvey to name a few. Add to the youngsters, the brilliance of Suarez (arguably the best striker in the league at the moment), the reassurance of Gerrard, the wing play of Enrique (injured though at the moment), Liverpool have managed to get the team combination as well as the belief back. The first half may have been more of a stop start campaign but in the second half, with the right reinforcements, Liverpool may just be the late yet genuine contenders for a top 4 finish.
Woes
 |
| Reina has to pull his act together |
Goalkeeping continues to be a concern. Pepe Reina is a pale shadow of his former self and without an assured keeper between the sticks, Liverpool are hanging on for dear life at times.
If Reina has been average, the same can be said of the Liverpool defense. Good on days and poor on more days than one, the back 4 is again left clutching straws when pushed to a corner. Liverpool also seem to be unsure on their mid field formation or who to support Suarez. The big games seem to be more of a one man show- Suarez whereas the rest of the team appear to be in hiding, How long can Luis carry the team on his shoulders?
Where the Liverpool supporters have hailed Suarez's contribution, one has turned a blind eye towards his selfish nature. Going for goals and not spotting other players at better positions, is Suarez's only mistake. There have been ocassions when he had the opportunity to squre the ball to Sterling to finish off the game but he hasnt used it. Preferring to go for goal himself at most times, he has wasted innumerable amount of chances that may have killed the game.
Tactical Overview
 |
| Talking tactics |
Another credit which must be given to Rodgers is the emergence of Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing. Both players, who were criticised of being not upto the mark, have risen and have been consistent performers for Liverpool this season. Brendan Rodger's tactics of deploying Downing on the right in certain games has been spot on. He has also been playing Jose Enrique as a left wing back at times which has been a treat to watch as Enrique is excellent going forwards.
There are ocassions when these tactics have backfired but he has brought a freshness to the Liverpool side which had been missing since the departure of Benitez. His 4-2-3-1 with Allen at the hub of the proceedings seems to be doing a fantastic job as Liverpool have looked mencaing going forward.
The only place that Liverpool lack is the defense. Although having world class defenders, Liverpool have lacked the awareness in defense. Conceding goals to lower teams has caused the confidence of the back 4 to go low. However, with the recent clean sheets in the League, this problem looks as if it has been sorted.
18YB Suggests
With Sturridge signed, Liverpool may feel they have a wide right/ forward who can play with Suarez or can play on his own when the need be but that remains to be seen as Sturridge is still not the finished product. Here are some suggestions which 18 Yard Box would like to make which would improve the Liverpool squad.
(These players need not be linked with the club and are purely suggestions)
Theo Walcott
 |
| Will he be a Red soon? |
If fit, Andy Carroll should be called back at the earliest but at the moment he is not. Liverpool need a target man who can feed Suarez/Sturridge and when need be, score as well. Theo Walcott might be an answer to the problem.
Excellent pace and decent on the ball, Walcott has not signed a new contract with Arsenal. This situation has been closely monitored by the Liverpool boss as the 23 year old has been in fantastic form for the Gunners. Scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle United playing as the central striker, Walcott has shown that he can be more than just a unidimensional winger.
Ricardo Kaka
 |
| Kaka maybe a good addition |
Nuri Sahin was supposed to be the answer to that hole in the mid field but he is lost in transition. With Rodgers being a close pal of Jose, can he raid Real again and get a player who can come and provide the spark that is desperately needed, Kaka could be the answer if not there is a certain Mesut Ozil who apparently is not happy at Madrid ( both have huge weekly wages though) It can sound preposterous but stranger things have happened in football.
Kaka, who has had trouble finding is feet in the Madrid side might be tempted for a move to the Premier League. This might be his opportunity and we think that Liverpool should go for the experienced forward.
Simon Mignolet
 |
| Liverpool need a keeper like him |
Reina on his last legs and Liverpool need a strong GK. Doni either needs to step up Liverpool may just need to look at the premier league teams for a possible answer. Sunderland goal keeper Simon Mignolet could well be the answer.
Excellent shot stopping skills and brilliant kicking ability has won Mignolet recognition. With many clubs hovering around him for his signature, Liverpool might have competition. But a keeper of Mignolet's calibre is just what Liverpool need.
Will Liverpool finish in the top 4 or will they take another year to reach there? This remains to be seen as the place for the top 4 heats up.
Written By,
Vinay Prabhakar and Rishabh Ghai
Vinay is a writer for 18 Yard Box
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International (all English editions) and an Editor and writer for 18 Yard Box .
Follow Rishabh Ghai on Twitter
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