If Liverpool win the league, it will be the most remarkable title victory in Premier League history
Mar 27, 2014 08:00
OPINION BY OLIVERHOLT
The giants continue to wake from their slumber, and if they could be on course to pull off a remarkable Premier League title victory, writes Ollie Holt
The giant’s reawakening continued at Anfield last night.
“And now you’ve got to believe us,” the Kop sang, “and now you’ve got to believe us, we’re going to win the league.”
If they pull it off, it will be the most remarkable title victory in Premier League history.
No one could ever say that a team of Liverpool’s size and history had come from nowhere. But after their seventh place finish last season, the best most expected from them this season was a brave but unsuccessful challenge to make it into the top four.
This win over struggling Sunderland brought them to within a point of leaders Chelsea.
So no one, not even Brendan Rodgers, can deny that they are in the thick of it now.
“A lot of people probably expected us to tail off towards the end of the season,” the Liverpool boss said after his side’s seventh successive league win. “But we have high expectations of ourselves at Liverpool and we are going to embrace the pressure and enjoy it.
“Our mantra here has always been to look forward and above us, not behind.
"There are not too many above us now.”
Liverpool had not had a home game for more than a month but Anfield was quiet in the first half.
It was as if everyone had realised how close the big prize really is now and nerves had started to kick in.
The prospect of a first title for 24 years brings its own peculiar pressures and Liverpool struggled to break Sunderland down.
Steven Gerrard’s superb free-kick just before half time steadied those nerves and Liverpool strode on.
Their victory was part of a wider Merseyside renaissance. Liverpool have led that renaissance, but Everton have contributed to the feelgood factor in the city, too.
Their 3-0 win at Newcastle on Tuesday took them up to fifth in the table. They are closing in on Arsenal for the final Champions League place now - six points behind with a game in hand and Arsenal still to visit Goodison.
Everton have won four straight league games, too, and the arrival of Roberto Martinez has brought a new sense of optimism to the club.
The departure of David Moyes has been largely unlamented because of the fresh, passing philosophy Martinez has introduced at the club.
While Everton challenge for the top four, though, Liverpool go for the title. Rodgers is desperately trying to keep a lid on the expectations that are swirling around his side.
But even on a night like this, when Liverpool were far from their best, there was still much to admire:
The energy and industry of Jordan Henderson, which has pushed him not just into England’s World Cup squad but probably Roy Hodgson’s first team.
The calm leadership of Gerrard, the precocious talent of the young full back Jon Flanagan.
The invention of Philippe Coutinho, the trickery of Daniel Sturridge and, of course, the brilliance of Luis Suarez, who was well below his best but still provided moments of breathtaking skill.
To add to Liverpool’s chase for honours, Suarez is the front runner for the Premier League Footballer of the Year award. He has stiff competition from men like Eden Hazard and Yaya Toure, but he has been close to irresistible this season.
Sure, there were times in the second half when Liverpool looked distinctly vulnerable. They were clinging on at the end, accompanied by groans of dismay and anxiety from their fans.
But they got the job done.
Tottenham are their visitors on Sunday. Chelsea and Manchester City still have to come here, too.
It could be a hell of a finish.
Mar 27, 2014 08:00
OPINION BY OLIVERHOLT
The giants continue to wake from their slumber, and if they could be on course to pull off a remarkable Premier League title victory, writes Ollie Holt
The giant’s reawakening continued at Anfield last night.
“And now you’ve got to believe us,” the Kop sang, “and now you’ve got to believe us, we’re going to win the league.”
If they pull it off, it will be the most remarkable title victory in Premier League history.
No one could ever say that a team of Liverpool’s size and history had come from nowhere. But after their seventh place finish last season, the best most expected from them this season was a brave but unsuccessful challenge to make it into the top four.
This win over struggling Sunderland brought them to within a point of leaders Chelsea.
So no one, not even Brendan Rodgers, can deny that they are in the thick of it now.
“A lot of people probably expected us to tail off towards the end of the season,” the Liverpool boss said after his side’s seventh successive league win. “But we have high expectations of ourselves at Liverpool and we are going to embrace the pressure and enjoy it.
“Our mantra here has always been to look forward and above us, not behind.
"There are not too many above us now.”
Liverpool had not had a home game for more than a month but Anfield was quiet in the first half.
It was as if everyone had realised how close the big prize really is now and nerves had started to kick in.
The prospect of a first title for 24 years brings its own peculiar pressures and Liverpool struggled to break Sunderland down.
Steven Gerrard’s superb free-kick just before half time steadied those nerves and Liverpool strode on.
Their victory was part of a wider Merseyside renaissance. Liverpool have led that renaissance, but Everton have contributed to the feelgood factor in the city, too.
Their 3-0 win at Newcastle on Tuesday took them up to fifth in the table. They are closing in on Arsenal for the final Champions League place now - six points behind with a game in hand and Arsenal still to visit Goodison.
Everton have won four straight league games, too, and the arrival of Roberto Martinez has brought a new sense of optimism to the club.
The departure of David Moyes has been largely unlamented because of the fresh, passing philosophy Martinez has introduced at the club.
While Everton challenge for the top four, though, Liverpool go for the title. Rodgers is desperately trying to keep a lid on the expectations that are swirling around his side.
But even on a night like this, when Liverpool were far from their best, there was still much to admire:
The energy and industry of Jordan Henderson, which has pushed him not just into England’s World Cup squad but probably Roy Hodgson’s first team.
The calm leadership of Gerrard, the precocious talent of the young full back Jon Flanagan.
The invention of Philippe Coutinho, the trickery of Daniel Sturridge and, of course, the brilliance of Luis Suarez, who was well below his best but still provided moments of breathtaking skill.
To add to Liverpool’s chase for honours, Suarez is the front runner for the Premier League Footballer of the Year award. He has stiff competition from men like Eden Hazard and Yaya Toure, but he has been close to irresistible this season.
Sure, there were times in the second half when Liverpool looked distinctly vulnerable. They were clinging on at the end, accompanied by groans of dismay and anxiety from their fans.
But they got the job done.
Tottenham are their visitors on Sunday. Chelsea and Manchester City still have to come here, too.
It could be a hell of a finish.
Cant see them getting anything, theyve had a terrible season injuries wise otherwise theyd be right up there.
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