Nice article 🙂
http://backfour.org/2014/03/22/liverpool-fc-title-race-or-title-ace/
March 22, 2014 Robbie Davies
Liverpool FC: Title Race or Title Ace?
Liverpool enter the business end of the season in unchartered territory as they find themselves embroiled in an unprecedented title race with only 9 games remaining. Free of expectation, Liverpool’s 5 game winning streak has saw Arsenal & United put to the sword with 18 goals in the process as Rodgers’ the tactical Chameleon keeps the Anfield train moving full steam ahead. 4 points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand; is it time we stopped making out LFC are making up the numbers and concede that Rodgers’ title hopes are in their own hands?
The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe compared Rodgers’ work at LFC to that of ‘Homes Under The Hammer’; initially entering an ageing property falling into disrepair and a few months later the place looking palatial. In this respect the building work is well ahead of schedule and the point of sale is looming ever closer; even if it is a year early according to the Northern Irishman.
Rodgers has breathed new life into Anfield and the early season whispers of Champions League football have turned into resounding chants impossible to stifle as United’s true noisy neighbors come of age. It will be a successful campaign for Liverpool irrespective of their league finish, as the reinvigoration of “The Liverpool Way” comes to fruition and Brendan finds the middle ground between attacking football and tactical discipline.
Rodgers was guilty last season of over-reliance on pass completion ratio’s and possession statistics, with fans frustrated at Liverpool’s tendency to over-play in the wrong areas and being too fragile when pressed. Fast forward to this season and he has learned from his mistakes, happily conceding possession versus Everton & Southampton safe in the knowledge that every time his side got the ball they looked like scoring; and they literally did.
Sometimes guilty of one too many rhetoric’s or paraphrasing, his approach was met with skepticism initially but it’s effect on the development of Sterling, Flanagan and Henderson has been prolific. In the programme ‘Being Liverpool’ his berating of Sterling was both accurate and justified; and whilst most thought Flanagan’s Liverpool career was seemingly deceased he shown all the characteristics that Rodgers valued and the Northern Irishman has reaped the rewards. He’s turned a despondent Henderson into the same category as Aaron Ramsey, whilst Sterling is showing all the promise once more that he proposed when he broke on the scene.
His approach is necessary; evident by his influence on Sturridge who is now so focused he studies himself, Maradona and Pele before games to improve. An excellent figurehead and man motivator, his tactical instinct has been remarkable this season as his ability to switch between wingbacks, inverted forwards and narrow formations is fascinating. You get the impression every player steps onto the pitch knowing exactly what their role is within the side, incontrovertible considering it’s the foremost factor which has took his young Liverpool players to new heights both domestically and internationally.
When prompted to reveal the secret behind Liverpool’s attacking play, Sturridge replied “Players can express themselves without any pressure or expectation, or fear of failure”. This sentiment was echoed by captain Steven Gerrard, who declared that he’s the “Best man manager I’ve ever worked with and he’s driving the club forward”.
It’s hard to disagree, as on paper there’s no way on Earth Sturridge & Suarez should be compatible with one another. They’re both selfish, need to feel loved and endeavor putting the ball in the net. He’s somehow molded his attacking duo into an unstoppable force and whilst they occasionally show glimpses of frustration; I don’t know if any other manager in the world could have done what Rodgers has done.
The Premier League title would be a fitting backdrop for a deserving Captain, manager and team who looked a shadow of the side who finished 7th last campaign. Only a fool would bet against them beating Manchester City and Chelsea, whilst come May 11th we may yet see Liverpool running out at Anfield with the fate of the prestigious 19th league title in their very own, capable hands.
http://backfour.org/2014/03/22/liverpool-fc-title-race-or-title-ace/
March 22, 2014 Robbie Davies
Liverpool FC: Title Race or Title Ace?
Liverpool enter the business end of the season in unchartered territory as they find themselves embroiled in an unprecedented title race with only 9 games remaining. Free of expectation, Liverpool’s 5 game winning streak has saw Arsenal & United put to the sword with 18 goals in the process as Rodgers’ the tactical Chameleon keeps the Anfield train moving full steam ahead. 4 points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand; is it time we stopped making out LFC are making up the numbers and concede that Rodgers’ title hopes are in their own hands?
The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe compared Rodgers’ work at LFC to that of ‘Homes Under The Hammer’; initially entering an ageing property falling into disrepair and a few months later the place looking palatial. In this respect the building work is well ahead of schedule and the point of sale is looming ever closer; even if it is a year early according to the Northern Irishman.
Rodgers has breathed new life into Anfield and the early season whispers of Champions League football have turned into resounding chants impossible to stifle as United’s true noisy neighbors come of age. It will be a successful campaign for Liverpool irrespective of their league finish, as the reinvigoration of “The Liverpool Way” comes to fruition and Brendan finds the middle ground between attacking football and tactical discipline.
Rodgers was guilty last season of over-reliance on pass completion ratio’s and possession statistics, with fans frustrated at Liverpool’s tendency to over-play in the wrong areas and being too fragile when pressed. Fast forward to this season and he has learned from his mistakes, happily conceding possession versus Everton & Southampton safe in the knowledge that every time his side got the ball they looked like scoring; and they literally did.
Sometimes guilty of one too many rhetoric’s or paraphrasing, his approach was met with skepticism initially but it’s effect on the development of Sterling, Flanagan and Henderson has been prolific. In the programme ‘Being Liverpool’ his berating of Sterling was both accurate and justified; and whilst most thought Flanagan’s Liverpool career was seemingly deceased he shown all the characteristics that Rodgers valued and the Northern Irishman has reaped the rewards. He’s turned a despondent Henderson into the same category as Aaron Ramsey, whilst Sterling is showing all the promise once more that he proposed when he broke on the scene.
His approach is necessary; evident by his influence on Sturridge who is now so focused he studies himself, Maradona and Pele before games to improve. An excellent figurehead and man motivator, his tactical instinct has been remarkable this season as his ability to switch between wingbacks, inverted forwards and narrow formations is fascinating. You get the impression every player steps onto the pitch knowing exactly what their role is within the side, incontrovertible considering it’s the foremost factor which has took his young Liverpool players to new heights both domestically and internationally.
When prompted to reveal the secret behind Liverpool’s attacking play, Sturridge replied “Players can express themselves without any pressure or expectation, or fear of failure”. This sentiment was echoed by captain Steven Gerrard, who declared that he’s the “Best man manager I’ve ever worked with and he’s driving the club forward”.
It’s hard to disagree, as on paper there’s no way on Earth Sturridge & Suarez should be compatible with one another. They’re both selfish, need to feel loved and endeavor putting the ball in the net. He’s somehow molded his attacking duo into an unstoppable force and whilst they occasionally show glimpses of frustration; I don’t know if any other manager in the world could have done what Rodgers has done.
The Premier League title would be a fitting backdrop for a deserving Captain, manager and team who looked a shadow of the side who finished 7th last campaign. Only a fool would bet against them beating Manchester City and Chelsea, whilst come May 11th we may yet see Liverpool running out at Anfield with the fate of the prestigious 19th league title in their very own, capable hands.
