It wasn’t the most convincing way to go to the top. A nil all draw at home against the lowly West Ham drew boos from the Kop, but the point ensured Liverpool are now clear at the top of the EPL. Is this the season they break their eighteen year domestic league drought?
Based on the performance against the Hammers, there is still much work to do despite the promising start to the season.
The away win at Chelsea in late October had given Reds fans hope. After all, in the past few seasons they had struggled to take points from fellow heavyweights in the exclusive Big Four club.
But winning the EPL is about consistency: winning the games against the middle table battlers who lift for the big four; winning home games; winning with flair and plenty of goals; winning games even when you play badly; winning consistently.
Winning full stop.
Liverpool doesn’t seem to be doing that at present.
Liverpool has now drawn twice at home against West Ham and Fulham, both scoreless matches.
Winning the EPL is also about depth of squad, especially for the teams battling on multiple fronts at home and in Europe.
Defensively Liverpool is sound, having conceded only eight goals in fifteen matches, the second best record in the league. But they find it difficult to score and wear down opponents.
The problem for Liverpool is simple – they only have two world-class players, who they rely on too heavily.
One of them, Fernando Torres, is out of action with a hamstring injury, his fifth hamstring related injury in sixteen months.
In his absence, £20 million striker Robbie Keane is simply not scoring enough goals.
Without Torres the goals aren’t coming easily.
Captain Steven Gerrard, the heart and soul of the club, has pledged that the club’s focus is on finally claiming the Premier League title, the only major club achievement missing from his CV.
His performances have so often saved Liverpool’s blushes, and he was instrumental in lifting them to the heights of European champions in the most dramatic fashion against AC Milan.
He is revered around the world as one of the world’s greatest players, and one of the best strikers of the ball.
But he needs support from those around him week in and week out. He cannot be constantly asked to save Liverpool’s fortunes.
It is probably the strongest squad in Rafael Benítez’s time at the club. But it can’t compare to Chelsea and Manchester United and their overflowing world-class rosters.
That is what wins the league.
Liverpool fans may not like to admit it, but they may have to settle for challenging for the title rather than winning it.
Kazama
Roar Guru
James Ward, I didn't just mean the final, I meant the whole campaign things seemed to go in Liverpool's favour - narrowly beating lowly Graz 2-1 in qualifying (including losing 1-0 at Anfield), coming back from the dead to beat Olympiakos 3-1 in the 86th minute and make the next round, somehow managing not to concede against Juventus in Turin, the phantom goal against Chelsea and Gudjohnsen's miss at the end of that match, and then of course the final itself. Then, for the cherry on the cake, UEFA changed the rules so Liverpool would be able to defend their crown the next season despite their failure to qualify thanks to finishing 5th in the league.
Colin N
Guest
I definitely wouldn't say that Reina is world-class. Neither is Mascherano or Alonso. Torres and Gerrard are Liverpool's only world-class players. Certainly, Nani and Anderso have the potential to become world-class and even Fletcher has played well this season for Man Utd. Liverpool have had a good amount of money to spend in the last few years but have failed in the league and done it very badly. As a neutral they are an incredibly boring team to watch. Also Ronaldo never helps out off the ball either but that doesn't change people's opinion of him. For me Benitez has signed some really poor players, I would say having the worse transfer record in the top four. As for Benitez's tactics, well when Robbie Keane wasn't performing with Torres, he had the great idea to play him on the left. Congratulations Benitez, let's play Keane in a position that will never work. I also think that Steve Finnan was treated very poorly by Liverpool. For me, he was Liverpool's best full-back, yet Benitez let him go. Also, look how well Steven Warnock has played in the last couple of seasons for Blackburn. I agree that Riera hasn't been too bad but I don't think that he is worth 9 million, that was my point really. I would rather save up that 'wasted' money and spend it on a player who is word-class and will improve the team rather than improve an average squad. That's all these players are doing really, adding average depth to an average sqaud. Man Utd don't have the depth but have far more world-class players than Liverpool and Chelsea have the ultimate squad, but that's down to money. Arsenal, really I'm not sure.
Alex Moore
Guest
Enjoyed the article. The squad needs some consistency at the full back position. Riera so far has been a solid purchase though. Allegedly it was between him and Diego Capel (Sevilla), so far Riera hasn't been too bad on the left. Needs to be quicker releasing the ball sometimes. Your right about Keane. Not sure I agree with Anderson and Nani becoming "world class" though (have you ever seen Nani help out off the ball. He's atrocious!) Benitez has been hit 'n' miss in transfer's, for every Torres and Skrtel, there's been a Gonzalez or Bellamy. But what manager doesn't do that? Inter are notorious for it (so are Newcastle, Bayern, Arsenal even to an extent...) BUT, they have a solid spine of a team (Reina, Carragher, Gerrard/Mascherano (Alonso even) and Torres). That my friend is world class...
Dave
Guest
Just read on the net Torres out for 4 games with Hamstring injury. Make or break time for the Scousers. ManU just starting to warm to the chase. Liverpool will be watching over their shoulders and further dropped points, especially at home, could end up costing them big time. Still believe Liverpool are too cautious with their tactics and this will continue to see points dropped. No title this season :)
James Ward
Roar Rookie
Kaz I would hardly call the 2005 Champions league fight back against Milan a fluke! Showed a lot of heart to come back the way they did. Milan could have closed out the game but didn't
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The first thing Liverpool needs to do is get rid of the Seppo owners who have done nothing for the Club. Bring in the Dubai Group and give Rafa the cash to spend on players. Ferguson and now Scolari have that luxury and they dominate. Mind you I am not convinced if Rafa is the answer either. I agree his tactics and formations / bad selections are baffling sometimes. Who else could they bring in to bring a championship though ?
Kazama
Roar Guru
18 Division 1 titles, 0 Premier Leagues. Let's hope it stays that way. It was bad enough having to watch them fluke the UCL in 2005 and having to put up with neverending crap from all of the Liverpool supporters I know. Hopefully they have their traditional mid-season choke and fall out of contention.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
What sj said.
Colin N
Guest
I'm fairly sure Rafa Benitez would have signed Villa had he been able to afford him. I believe Valencia wanted 40 million for him and were generally unwilling to let him go, but yes Robbie Keane was a poor signing and I could see it failing as soon as he signed on the dotted line. He doesn't complement Torres and when Torres is out, he can't play up front on his own. He really should have kept Crouch. Despite being mostly used as a sub, he had an awesome scoring record. For some reason, Benitez didn't seem to like him and he is now revelling at Portsmouth. I don't believe Liverpool will win the League as they have too many average players. I have never been a fan of Benitez, partly because of his sometimes bizzare tactics, but also because of the amount of money he has wasted. Look at Manchester United. 17million on Nani, 17 million on Anderson last seeason, both excellent young players who will improve to become world-class players. Remember Man Utd bought Christiano Ronaldo or 12 million as an 18 year old-look what a player he has become. But spending money on the likes of Aurelio, Arbeloa, Riera etc is just a waste. If you added these transfer fees together, I'm sure he could but a couple of world-class players with it, or several up and coming players. Also what has happened to the Liverpool youth team that won the youth cup twice in a row, beating the likes of the much revered Arsenal academy team-he hasn't used his resources to the best effect.
James
Guest
I still think they should of signed David Villa who was about the same price as Keane. This would of given them that little bit of quality they need and taken the pressure off Torres and Gerrard. Also he had a awesome combination with Torres at the Euro
Slippery Jim
Guest
No.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Good Article Adrian, as a Big Pool fan the West Ham draw was very frustrating. This was a must win game, a statement game where they needed to prove they can win consistently no matter the opponent. Yes they are on top at the moment however that wont be for long. Liverpool don't have the depth of Man U ( scum ) and Chelski. Robbie Keane was a terrible signing particulalry for 20 mill ?. Just ridiculous. They rely too much on Torres to score the goals. Once again we will be resigned to another year of finishing 3rd in the Premiership and making the Quarters / Semi's of Champions League.