Another EPL season is coming to an end and what a spectacle it is for the neutral supporters!
If you’re a non-supporter of any team in the title race (or let’s say outside of the race for European spots), then this year’s finale is one of the most exciting in years.
Remember City claiming that title in the dying minutes of the match after their near capitulation at QPR?! Oh the drama, oh Joey Barton, oh Sergio Aguero!
This year could be even more exciting, especially given that arguably the most deserving player in the league to have not one a league title is in the mix – the scouse legend Stevie G.
With Liverpool at the top of the league and their future firmly in their hands with Chelsea and City yet to visit Anfield, this may just well be the year Steven Gerrard’s dream is realised.
A one club man, Gerrard has been with Liverpool since he was seven. Assuming he remains there (despite my hopes that he may one day grace the A-League, which I accept is a pipe dream at best) he joins some illustrious kings of loyalty, such as one Paolo Maldini.
Unfortunately, unlike many of his loyal one-club compatriots, he is yet to add a league title to his accomplishments. Having led Liverpool to FA Cup and Champions League trophies, it would be a fitting capstone for arguably one of England’s best.
Unfortunately given the Three Lions’ uncanny ability to let down the nation, Gerrard will probably have to kiss international honours goodbye. Unless a combination of witchery, divine intervention, and some unexpected results help England to victory at the World Cup this year, an EPL trophy may be the best he can hope for.
Liverpool supporter or not, it will be a nervy two months willing Gerrard’s boys across the line.
Another Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher certainly thinks they will finish top. He claimed that Liverpool can’t lose to City after the red half of Merseyside demolished Tottenham, but keeping City and Chelsea at bay will be a harder task.
The equation is simple. Liverpool must win their remaining games. If they do this, no-one catches them.
Simple idea, but the execution is somewhat difficult. Can they do it? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t bet against them.
mahonjt
Guest
I hope so - I really do! Would love the Reds to win it for Stevie and for the 96 and broader diaspora.
drew777
Roar Pro
Then again we pumped Arsenal so maybe not
drew777
Roar Pro
Fist banana skin out of the way, a fee more to go... The belief is there, the players seem hungry, but I'm afraid that after a nervy win against the Hammers if those nerves stay around City will do us this weekend
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Agreed on Figo, sheer class.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
I worry about title notions being discussed right now, as a Liverpool fan. Regardless of what happens between now and the season's end, this has been a successful season for the club with their impending re-entry in the champions league (no longer a question of if anymore). Rather than title talk, I'd prefer the team focus on three points at west ham first. Big Sam will park the bus, and there will be a part of downing and Carroll wanting to wreck the party. If we get three points there, then that game against City looms as a possible title decider, because that could nullify the 2 game advantage city have. Chelsea will still be around, but it's that city game that could determine the reds title chances.
drew777
Roar Pro
Nor do I, but he said it aroused his interest. A Scouse defecting to United would be worse than murdering the Queen. Figo’s move to Real was best for him though, went up a level with Real. Unbelievable player.
drew777
Roar Pro
Nor do I, but he said it aroused his interest. A Scouse defecting to United would be worse than murdering the Queen. Figo's move to Real was best for him though, went up a level with Real. Unbelievable player.
drew777
Roar Pro
Yeah, that's the first thing I said about our cup exit - "at least we can focus solely on the league now". You're absolutely correct, in addition to being fresh, they aren't taking demoralising losses in the champions league which could ruin their current confidence.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I don't think the United move would have really been possible do you? That would have been beyond even the Luis Figo to Real move. I can only imagine the backlash had he gone especially as he'd have still been living in that very area. Interesting to see if it had happened I suppose!
drew777
Roar Pro
He also knocked back United a few years ago too. He said he was tempted by those offers from Chelsea and United but staying with Liverpool was the best decision of his life. My claim that he is one of the most deserving is that he is one of the best players England have produced to not win the title. Many players of lesser ability, and less loyalty have won it, so it seems fitting that Gerrard too is bestowed that honour. Unfortunately football is not often fairy tales, as will most probably be in this case as I am with you - City for the title this year.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Drew, I think you're spot on. Much of Liverpool's form this year is built on the fact that they have zero European football and were out of both cup competitions early. Fitness at the top level is paramount and right now they are simply fitter and fresher than everyone else in my opinion. That squad is entirely sub standard if they wish to mount a CL and league challenge in tandem next season. That's not to knock what they've done this season though, they've been magnificent.
drew777
Roar Pro
I'm not so sure. I don't know if they can sustain this form into next year with the addition of champions league football. I don't know if the depth is there, even if they do recruit. I think if they don't win it this year, Gerrard will play next season and then retire if they don't make a title challenge or retain their champions league spot in the season after. That is assuming they make the champions league this season. And a Liverpool without Gerrard will be much the same as Spurs this year, minus the many millions generated from Bale's sale. I think this year may be the final year for Gerrard to hope for the title, as I'm tipping Chelsea to have benefited this year under Mourinho and come back stronger. On top of that if Tottenham and United pull their act together, and Arsenal get the players they need to sustain a title challenge it could be a six way affair (maybe 7 with the outsiders Everton performing well under Martinez) to the title challenge. Far too much competition coming up in the coming years for Liverpool to see off. All in my opinion, of course. I'm also a bit sceptical about the 60 mil that will allegedly be afforded to Rodgers. The owners have shown (through both their baseball and football teams) that they are fans of the "money-ball" method. Basically they only release funds (for the most part) to target players they deem quality but who have underperformed at their current club, meaning they are below market price. You could argue this has or has not been implemented to it's fullest extent because the signing of Aspas and Borini, for example, have been anything but quality players who were under-performing, they were really just average players who Liverpool thought they could develop. We won't even discuss the flop that was Carroll. The best examples of this method were Coutinho and Sturridge. Coutinho arrive for about 8.5 million pounds, and Sturridge for what was rumoured to be about 12 million pounds. These were two players who were not stars and who were not playing all that well, but have now excelled, proving the money ball approach can be successful, albeit rather hit and miss. On the up side, you could see Sturridge being worth at least 25 million, and coutinho at least 20 million, so some tidy profits there if they were to sell.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Liverpool can run close for the title this year but I'm still with City as the eventual winners. I do agree that Steven Gerrard has been an exceptional player for Liverpool and will be one of their icons regardless. I don't think that alone makes you deserve a league title however in the same way that Matt LeTissier didn't deserve one that Southampton and Ryan Giggs didn't deserve a World Cup just for being Welsh. I think that Gerrard's loyalty should be commended but at the same time if Liverpool come up short this season part of him must wonder 'what if'? He was very close to joining Chelsea in 2005 and I'm sure he could have easily got himself a move to a Barca or a Real had he wanted. I don't think Steve McManaman regretted going to Madrid and Gerrard is a far far better player and would have thrived. There was also some talk - unsubstantiated granted - of local crime organisations putting the brakes on his move to Chelsea so I don't think it's all pure as the driven snow with Gerrard. I'll probably get shot down for this negativity as he is after all a wonderful example of professionalism at his home town club, I just don't think the whole thing should be seen solely from some doe eyed rose tinted angle.
bill boomer
Guest
I think SG will have to content himself with the champions league cup. That is if they don't win the league this year. It'd be great if they did but I doubt they will. A great career from an exemplary player.
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
They have a great chance this season and you would think even more so next season so I think Gerrard will get that elusive domestic title before he retires which is probably two years away.Im pretty sure I read the owners have promised 60 mil for the next transfer window if Champions League football comes to Anfield next season which should be spent solely on some class defenders as in attack this side is just brilliant as it is.
drew777
Roar Pro
Glaring typo, that's embarrassing - should read "This year could be even more exciting, especially given that arguably the most deserving player in the league to have not won a league title is in the mix – the scouse legend Stevie G." oops :/