Last season, Liverpool suffered the ignominy of not playing for a European trophy. In fact, no silverware arrived at Anfield last season but the Red army stood by their team in the hope that 2013/14 would bring a renewed vigour.
With this season in its infancy, Liverpool has shown they have what it takes to return to the most illustrious club competition in the world – the UEFA Champions League.
The five-time champions last held the cup aloft in 2005, but have either failed to make an impact in recent years or haven’t even appeared.
Brendan Rodgers’ side appears to have finally reached the balance he has been looking for. Young Brazilian Philippe Coutinho has continued the form that earned him the nickname ‘The Magician’ from the Kop.
Former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has been Liverpool’s best player so far this season, having netted in five of seven games this season. One man challenging Sturridge as Liverpool’s best is goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The Belgian shot-stopper has been in terrific form of late with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher describing him as “a beast”. Mignolet has been a key reason for Liverpool’s terrific start.
Luis Suarez has played two matches so far this year after returning from his ban for mistaking Ivanovic’s arm for a steak. His efforts on the ball against United brought praise from his manager.
Suarez well and truly announced his return when he scored two goals against Sunderland.
The evergreen Steven Gerrard has been playing near his best this season. Whilst on limited occasions he has appeared to be running on tired legs, he has been doing everything he can from the middle.
His two free kicks against Southampton drew terrific saves from goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Liverpool look like they may make it to the top four at the end of the season as their early season form hints at a self-belief that was missing last season. They back each other and trust in their abilities.
Brendan Rodgers has said he wants to coach Liverpool in the Champions League and that type of ambition will definitely rub off on the players.
The promising aspect for Liverpool is that they are yet to play a game with their full roster available. Joe Allen continues to have trouble with his hamstring whilst Suarez has only just served his 10-match ban. Coutinho is also out for another five weeks.
One more heartening piece of news for Liverpool fans is the rumoured courting of Xabi Alonso. Brendan Rodgers has apparently been given permission to approach the former Red about a return to Anfield in the January transfer window.
Alonso is a champion player who formed a terrifying combination with Steven Gerrard when both players were at their peaks.
His passing accuracy and distance is an attractive proposition for Rodgers, who is trying to institute his passing style of football.
The EPL season is long and tough, but come next year, I would bet that Liverpool will be sitting comfortably in the top four.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
5th-8th? I'd say minimum is 5th with the squad we have.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Whilst Kenny may have got some people offside with how he handled the Evra situation, he earnt even more respect from the Kop with what he said.
Matt Tomlinson
Roar Rookie
I think it is too early to tell yet They could have a later season slump in form Hopefully not though :)
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Fair points SuperEel. But the new squad element is something that most squads have got to deal with, and it can be argued that no team has yet stringed together 90 minutes together of domination. With exception to the opening day, Arsenal can be the only exception to this, but even they are facing prospective issues with squad depth. With Alonso, I am not sure how true these rumours are. They all seem to be coming from less than reputable online sources and blogs, and it looks more like click bait than anything representing fact. If it were true, then sites like the UK Telegraph, The Times and Guardian would be splashing this left, right and centre. But if it is true in any way, it will only happen based on Liverpool's table position in January. If the club are near the top, then Alonso might be keen to come back. But if not, then other teams like Juventus and Napoli will be more lucrative. The other factor to consider is that it is a World Cup year, and Alonso wouldn't want to go to any club not competing for higher honours that somehow blemishes his case for selection in the Spanish team. I don't see the wages being a problem, only Liverpool's position. But if it did happen, that would be the mother of all homecomings.
Gunser
Guest
Had a very easy run of games to start the season. The Europa Cup is a good chance if Mignolet can keep up his great form and no team outside the top 4 wins the cups and reduces the Europe places. An improvement to being back somewhere in 5th to 8th is the best bet.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I'd agree with you that he did bring some stability back to the club initially but he also blew a stack of cash on the likes of Downing, Adam and Henderson - the latter of which is improving but is still not remotely worth the money bearing in mind where Liverpool want to be at. The 'buying British' obsession has some merit in balancing a squad but it also brought down Martin O'Neil at Sunderland. He also blew the fortune Chelsea gave them for Torres on Andy Carroll although Damien Comolli must take some of the rap also granted. In terms of bringing back respectability, I and many others thought he did a huge amount to tarnish the clubs' reputation in his handling of the Evra situation. He shot from the hip there and was swiftly overruled by the owners. I know Anfield's capacity but much of the money these days is in corporate hospitality and the likes of Arsenal and ManU dwarf Liverpool's matchday revenues, there's simply no comparison. I think Arsenal's could just about be the highest in Europe although I'm not sure. Throw in CL revenue and it's tough for Liverpool to compete financially right now, my point was actually to praise them for the progress they've made given that handicap, I think they're definitely going in the right direction. I've been hearing about a ground move or expansion for a loooooong time now mate.........
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Vas, I'd say taking 13 points out of 18 means that we're finding ways to win, when last season we were finding ways to lose or draw. Yes we haven't put in a 90 minute performance but I think that may be due to the squad still getting used to each other. With so many new players at the club it was always going to take some time for everyone to be on the same page. I am really encouraged that Rodgers has been allowed to approach Alonso. We get Xabi back and that midfield becomes one of the most solid in the Premier League.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Anfield has a 45k capacity and an increase to 60k is on the cards due to heavy demand for tickets. Dalglish whilst he did waste some money, also brought some silverware and respectability back to the club in the form of the Carling Cup and a return to the Europa League.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
As a Liverpool fan, the results can be interpreted two ways. We're second spot, yet any football fan worth their opinion knows that they have not stringed together 90 minutes of football together. All of our opponents have had prolonged spells of dominance against us, and yet we've weaseled 13 out of 18 points so far. This either means that we are boding well for the future by getting results despite not playing great football. Or the alternative is we're having a brief honeymoon spell before we pay for not being more consistent with our play. Suarez's return was essential for us in the face of Coutinho's injury. But I honestly still feel that Lucas and Gerrard are the keys for Liverpool, as an injury to either suddenly makes our defensive midfield look threadbare. Neither Henderson nor Allen are suited to that role, so there is a position that Rodgers should seek to fill come January. As for Man Utd Johnno, it was inevitable that was going to happen. No manager could live with following Sir Alex, and Moyes is a good manager that can possibly lead a big club, but like Ferguson, he will need time. Whether the Glazers give him that is another matter. Hell, if you look at how both Mourinho and Pellegrini have had struggles in their time so far at Chelsea and City, it's clear that money alone is not going to win out if there are about 6 or 7 teams all vying for that top four. This is where Wenger's cheapskate policy at Arsenal the last few years may finally reap some rewards.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I definitely think Liverpool are moving in the right direction. I think the most encouraging thing is the that the previous Summer they realised just how far behind they actually were and brought in a manager with a long term plan and philosophy and they appear to be giving him that time. Liverpool are hamstrung to a degree by an inadequate stadium meaning their match day revenues badly lag the other big boys. Couple that with some pretty pointless spending by Dalglish and they were in a real spot. I think it will take time and I don't think them not qualifying for the CL this season should be seen as failure if they are still making progress which I think they are. I think they'll qualify for the Europa League as a minimum and depending on how the others do they could achieve more. I'm a Chelsea fan myself but it's hard not to feel for the Liverpool fans. The club's name and reputation is still one of the biggest across the world.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Of course, some unkind people may point out that Liverpool fans must be very happy they finally get European exposure this season ... with 2 away games in the EPL against Swansea & Cardiff!
Johnno
Guest
Liverpool going forward, Man United going backwards,worst start in 24 years. Moyes is not up to it, he can't handle pressure. He's not good enough to coach Man United. Heck get ex-Liverpool,Chelsea coach Rafa Benitez to coach Man United,he'll turn it around, or Avram Grant. Benitez won the Europa cup only 3 months ago. Oh well Man United's loss, is Napoli's gain.