1. We have a team. Yes, there are still those stubborn individual mistakes, which we need to find a way to eradicate. But let's not let those mistakes prevent us from noticing the positives because there are more of those. We have a team playing with a clear system and style. Look at the way our midfield 3 is constantly rotating throughout the match. At any moment it can be Gerrard, Henderson or Coutinho bringing the ball out of defense. There is no aimless knocking the ball around; at every moment they know where to run and where to pass. They treasure the ball and in the 2nd half especially we almost never lost the ball during the build-up. We play possession football, but try to hurt the opposition in every attack – no possession for possession's sake. And the way we build up from the back is much more secure now. Those early-season jitters when our CBs and Mignolet constantly seemed to be on the verge of giving the ball away are all but gone.
Mentally, there is also a huge improvement compared to the start of this season and last season. Now our players constantly communicate. Maybe they even over-do it a bit; I've never seen an English football team do so much gesticulating and hand-pointing. But it serves a purpose. Young players are never left alone without guidance. Every missed chance and misplaced pass is followed by an encouraging gesture from the teammates (and sometimes the coach himself – like the "thumbs up" after Teixeira shot over the bar), so they don't get too down on themselves or lose a bit of confidence after a mistake. Those are the little building blocks that add up to what we are seeing: a team full of confidence both individually and collectively.
So, yes we have a team now, finally. You know how people say that players who come from Borussia Dortmund usually don't live up to the hype because Jurgen Klopp's system makes them look better then they actually are? Well, I think we are starting to see something similar here in Liverpool and that's a huge compliment to Brendan Rodgers. This kind of positive, productive atmosphere is like having a 13th player on the pitch (with the 12th being the fans, obviously).
2. Gerrard. A clear MOM for me. This role at the base of the midfield triangle is exactly what I envisioned in this skeptically-received post (written, coincidentally, before our first game against Fulham), only now the 2 CMs in front of Gerrard are Henderson and Coutinho, instead of Allen. The glorious pass to Sturridge is a perfect illustration how Gerrard can hurt the opposition even from a deep-lying midfield role because of his range of passing. This is something Lucas simply cannot do – and nor can all the "physical" DMs everybody was so keen on buying. You know what? I'm quite happy with our midfield right now. I think Rodgers pretty much solved it.
3. Full-backs. When we were a goal down and Fulham were conceding all this space on the flanks on purpose, I sometimes couldn't help but think it would be nice to have at least one attacking FB who can create something on his own. Another real threat for the opposition to worry about, someone like Dani Alves. That being said, Flanno did play a few smart passes at times and one partially redeeming thing about Cissokho is that he tries to find Suarez with a pass at every opportunity. Like in the moment when Suarez hit the post, it was Cissokho who could have crossed from his position on the left (which would have led at best to a corner), but he chose to cut back to Suarez who was standing on the edge of the box. I don't know if Aly is doing this out of his own initiative or he is being instructed to do so, but in any case feeding the ball to the feet of Suarez is as good a strategy as any.
4. Toure and Skrtel. I don't know if people are lambasting Toure for his comical OG (I didn't read the match thread), but just in case they are, I want to defend him. This kind of bobble on uneven grass has made many a defender look foolish and I don't think Toure did too much wrong here. Just unlucky. The 2nd goal was worse. I'm not sure if Mignolet had a real chance to intercept that cross; the angle seemed to be quite awkward. Miscommunication between Skrtel and Flanagan, Toure being dragged too far out, a desperate lounge from Skrtel which only made the matters worse. There have been too many of these comedies of errors this season. Let's hope Agger's return makes us stronger.
5. Coutinho. Now you see why he was taking all these "practice shots" in recent games? He delivered when it mattered. And was a few inches from scoring a winner too. He's getting closer, our Philippe. He wants to be like Kaka and yesterday was another step towards that goal.
6. Holtby. Anyone else was impressed? Great touch and vision – and an engine that can rival Henderson's. If we lose out on Rakitic in the summer, Holtby would be one of my alternative targets for the attacking CM position. Wouldn't be the first Everton fan to become a big player for the Reds. If we can have Gerrard backed up by Lucas at DM and a choice of Allen, Henderson, Coutinho and Holtby as 2 attacking/box-to-box CMs, I think we'd be in good shape next season. Buy a good FB and Konoplyanka for LW and we're sorted for Champions League.
7. Finally, Suarez. What an absolutelyfucking great beast of a player he is! It's clear the position on the wing doesn't 100% suit his best abilities. Doesn't make a peep about it, just concedes the front of the stage to Sturridge and gives his full effort and concentration playing on the left wing. Unlucky not to score again, but I think in this whole game he didn't waste a touch once. That's why I had him 2nd in my MOM vote even ahead of Sturridge who scored and won a decisive penalty. When Rodgers said working with Suarez was a "dream," he wasn't exaggerating. I hope Suarez stays this way for the rest of his career. Right now his attitude is as spectacular as his ability.
8. Oh, and one last thing. Even when we were in first place at Christmas I didn't believe we are really in the title race. For most of the season Man City looked too strong and for me they are still the favorites. But with the way this team is playing right now, I now believe anything is possible. You know what I mean? ANYTHING.
