Liverpool's resurgence
Tell us reds fans we would be sitting pretty in 2nd place in the table, 11 points above rivals Man United and still with a shot at the league title, and we would have bitten your hand off for the chance ( right after laughing and saying 'if only' ). Rodgers himself has come out recently saying his team is ahead of schedule in where he would like to take the club in the next couple of years. We all knew that top four was a must this season, but our form has shot us right up the pile and into the mix again, placing Liverpool FC as title contenders. With no FA Cup, Champions League or Europa League midweek to distract us, Brendan's men might feel they are the freshest going in to this hectic finale.
This is how the table currently looks like as LFC approach game week 29.
Although Manchester City have two games in hand on us, with two wins meaning we drop down to 3rd, a Liverpool win in their game in hand on the leaders Chelsea would bring them within 4 points off the top of the pile. Not forgetting the fact that both Chelsea and Manchester City still have to visit Anfield in the final ten matches. We all know one thing is certain, these last ten matches are massive cup finals for the reds, and we must look to win them all if we would like to progress to that next level, and rely on others a long the way too. Most importantly is how we approach the matches we face.
Here is a list of our last ten fixtures, including dates and times ;
Sunday, 16th March Manchester United (Away) 1:30 pm
Saturday, 22nd March Cardiff (Away) 3:00 pm
Wednesday, 26th March Sunderland (Home) 8:00 pm
Sunday, 30th March Tottenham (Home) 4:00 pm
Sunday, 6th April West Ham (Away) 4:00 pm
Sunday, 13th April Manchester City (Home) 2:05 pm
Sunday, 20th April Norwich (Away) 12:00 pm
Sunday, 27th April Chelsea (Home) 2:05 pm
Saturday, 3rd May Crystal Palace (Away) 3:00 pm
Sunday, 11th May Newcastle (Home) 3:00 pm
Manchester United (Away)
You cannot get a better kick start to this thrilling climax. We reds fans must all admit that we are loving the current downfall of Man U under Moyes. With every team looking at that current Man United line up with no fear at all, it looks like the perfect timing to let SAS loose at Old Trafford. I remember the last time Liverpool travelled to Old Trafford while in a title race. 5 years ago to the month, the scoreline showing 1-4 to the visitors. With a much weakened Man U side now from then, three points look like a must for Liverpool, but Brendan will still need to get his side fired up for this one. A loss for our rivals would end their season on the spot, and Brendan will have to be weary of that factor heading into the Sunday afternoon clash.
Tottenham (Home)
Roll back exactly 3 months ago, and a Luis Suarez chip over Hugo Lloris capped off a 5-0 thrashing of the Londoners. A changing of manager since then, yet Spurs still look as sluggish as they were under Vilas Boas in my opinion. With no real leader on the pitch, added to that the lack of fire power up front compared to the SAS, Liverpool need to look at their only real rival for a top four place and think, "Something must really go wrong for us to mess this one up". The only question is, will Liverpool still be in the run in for the title come this fixture at the end of the month? Will Spurs still be a threat to our push for a top four place? There is no doubt it will be a big match for the reds, with Brendan looking to get the three points in front of the Anfield support.
Manchester City & Chelsea (Home)
Now we come to the two massive crunch matches in April which will most definitely determine the outcome of Liverpool's season and where the reds will finish. If I was Mourinho or Pellegrini I would not be relishing this trip. Anfield has become a fortress again this season. With the likes of Arsenal and Everton gunned down by SAS and co., both Manchester City and Chelsea will be weary of their trip to the north. With two weeks separating the clashes, and a trip to relegation battling Norwich stuffed in between, one major factor will determine the outcome of the two games, and that is the Premier League table and what it will look like come mid April. With both teams still battling on in Europe, Liverpool may look the stronger and fresher outfit, but one thing is certain, two out of two wins will post a huge stamp on the Premier League, even if it is not followed by a Premier League winners medal. Teams visiting Anfield in the past used to give up before a ball was even kicked, and that is exactly what Brendan is trying to bring back in his reign at the club.
Newcastle (Home)
A home clash with Newcastle may not be the first fixture us reds fans look out for, but this year it comes on the final day of the season, and saying that, a preview is a must. Come Sunday morning on the 11th of May, Reds fans will be walking the road to Anfield with either one of three thoughts lingering in their minds ;
-We have secured a top four place and Champions League nights are returning to Anfield
-It has come right down to the wire in either the title chase or the chase for a top four spot
-Come full time we will be seeing Stevie lift the Premier League title
As I think it will go all the way to the final day of the season, the third point may be slightly over enthusiastic, with the first one a must. We all know that for which-ever reason, Anfield will be buzzing come 3 pm kick off, and the ending of what has been a wonderful season for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers, so far. One question comes to mind, will we be seeing our captain fantastic lift that long awaited and well deserved Premier League trophy? One can dream, can't they?
"You can live without water for many days, but you can't live for a second without hope."
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