Liverpool were the most entertaining football team last
season. Their brand of football, their movement going forward, the telepathic
understanding among their front three and some quickfire scoring that caught teams off guard time and again was
a joy to watch for the Koop.
They were the most envied team in England and to a larger extent,
Europe. Captain Steven Gerrard hit the heights he’s been known for over the
years, Raheem Sterling came of age, Daniel Sturridge was finally living up to
his billing and Luis Suarez was well, being Luis Suarez: bully, skillful, unpredictable,
hard working and scoring goals for fun. The feel good factor was there and it
was – to those born in the last 24years or so – the most beautiful time to be a
Liverpool fan.
That that run ended in a second place finish behind champions
Manchester City was disappointing. However, it had supposedly set the stage for
Brendan Rodgers and his men to mount an even more serious title charge this
season.
No one foresaw the struggles that the Mersyeside club is experiencing
right now. The departure of Luis Suarez, the confinement of Daniel Sturridge to
the treatment table coupled with the inability of summer arrivals to get their
feet playing to the tune of high expectations within the club has made
Liverpool this season’s Premier League laughing stock.
They have collected only 6 wins in the Premier League this
season and lost have already lost six times in only 15 games, a far cry from
last season where they lost the same number of matches the whole season. Goals
have been hard to come by while the Reds have carried on their unwanted form of
last season where they conceded one too many goals.
Their campaign in the Champions League came to a crashing
conclusion in front of their home fans after they failed to collect the win
they needed against Basel which would have sent them into the last 16. They toiled
under the challenge of the Swiss side who took the lead and looked like they
would leave Anfield with the three points until Steven Gerrard hit a brilliant free
kick that leveled the match with 10 minutes to play. However, not even the captain's heroics could save the Reds this time as Basel held on for the draw to proceed at their hosts' expense.
Liverpool’s relegation to Europa League is merited given
that they only claimed one victory in six matches which was against lowly
Bulgarians Ludogorets Razgrad. They were beaten over two legs by Real Madrid
and lost to Basel away which sealed their fate.
A league fixture awaits them this Saturday with an away game
at Manchester United who have won their last four matches and look way better
than Liverpool in spite of making several changes within their squad including
changing the manager.
Going by their current form, a victory against their biggest enemy in English football will be hoped for rather than expected, a far cry from last season when the Reds rolled over United and won home and away scoring six goals and conceding
only one. The clash against Louis van Gaal’s men will perhaps make it bare the
fact that the Merseysiders might have overachieved last season.
And That's thesteifmastertake!!
No comments:
Post a Comment