In the latest Talking Reds, Simon Steers ponders just how exciting this current Liverpool team are to watch... Is this the best since 1987-88? When you look back at the benchmarks of the great Liverpool teams of the past it is the class of 1987-88 that many look to as being the best; it had the perfect balance of defensive discipline and attacking flair. The 5-0 destruction of Nottingham Forest led to the late and great Tom Finney saying: "It was the finest exhibition I have seen since I played and watched the game." We have seen some great Liverpool teams since 87-88; with the Rafa Benitez team of 2008-09 one of the most ruthless and tactically mature teams we have seen. In most other Premier League seasons that would have been a title-winning team. Right now we are probably watching the most exciting Liverpool team since that 87-88 side. The 5-1 destruction of Arsenal had that same kind of feel to the Forest game in 87-88; the attacking flair of this current Liverpool side has a very South American feel to it - it plays with a freedom and verve that was part of the DNA of the great Brazil teams of years gone by. The Fab Four The emergence of the original Fab Four at the Cavern Club in Liverpool is a big part of Liverpool's story as a city. In a city dominated by football, it is the emergence of a new Fab Four at Anfield that can be the catalyst to a new chapter for the Red half of Merseyside. The form of Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling has been sensational this season. The average age of the quartet is 22.5, and it is only really Luis Suarez that is anywhere near his peak as a footballer. The South American influence of Coutinho and Suarez is evident in how we attack teams; both players have that ability to create something out of nothing. There is a certain romance with footballers that come from South America - a Brazilian No.10 and Uruguayan No.7 feels completely in line with our identity as a team. But it is the form of two players from these shores that is making a huge contribution to the functioning of our attacking play. Earlier this season both Brendan Rodgers and Lucas noted how Daniel Sturridge 'plays like a Brazilian'. Sturridge is thriving in this Liverpool attack and it is getting the very best out of him. At 24, his best years are ahead of him. Daniel Sturridge can be as good as he wants to be. He has the potential to be amongst the very best if he continues on this trajectory. Raheem Sterling has also been magnificent since he has returned to the team. At 19, his potential is incredible. He has all of the attributes to be world-class, but the most impressive thing is his game intelligence. He is so quick, but he is also quick in the head - that means he anticipates brilliantly. His assist for Sturridge against Swansea was the perfect example; he intercepted and won the ball in his own half, had the vision to see the pass and execute it perfectly. As a collective, we arguably have one of the best attacks in European football right now. There will be teams across Europe casting an envious eye at our Fab Four. Finding the balance The Swansea game was the very best and very worst of us all rolled into one game. With so much vibrancy in attack, we will leave ourselves open on occasion. We need to make sure that we try and find a way to control games without sacrificing our attacking verve. It was always Brendan Rodgers' vision that we would play a high intensity, possession-based game, and when we get the intensity right and press the ball in packs, we are probably the best team in the Premier League. But it is difficult to match that level of work-rate every week. We need to be a bit more tactically intelligent and learn when to play with intensity and when to sit back and keep possession -not every pass needs to be a penetrative pass, there are times where we can slow the game down and retain control. But that will come with time and maturity. The 87-88 side had that balance, but it took Kenny Dalglish a few seasons to get that blend right before he found the perfect chemistry. We are only in Rodgers' second season as Liverpool manager, and we will see a progression towards better balance as he continues to build and tweak his squad. Can we win the title? We will only be able to say definitively that this is the best Liverpool side since 87-88 when we win the title. The stats are showing us that we have the most points at this stage of a season since the Premier League began. We have also scored 70 goals so far, the highest scorers in the league. We have a great chance to win the title this season, but it is likely to mean we have to win nine or 10 of our remaining games to do so. That means it is in our hands, but it will take a big push, beating some very strong teams and a lot of luck along the way to do it. The fact that we are still in the 'title conversation' going into the business end of the season is huge credit to everyone at the club, especially Rodgers, who has guided us to this point. The team are playing with such belief; we haven't lost a league game yet in 2014. We have dug in and found ways to get results even when we haven't been at our best, and when we have been at our best, we have blown teams away - Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Arsenal included. Nobody expected Liverpool to win the title this season. Our aim at the start of the season was top four, and if we get there, it will be a great achievement given the strength of our competitors. Whatever happens this season, nobody should lose sight of that. The one thing that is absolutely certain is that we are realistic title contenders. Chelsea, City and Arsenal will all see us as real challengers. Of course, when asking the question is this our best team since 87-88 you have to recognise that this team hasn't won anything yet, and since 87-88 we have won the League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Cup and the Champions League. Right now it's difficult to say that this is the best team since 87-88; it is probably the most exciting - and if the journey continues in the same direction we could be witnessing the evolution of one of the all-time great Liverpool sides. http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/talking-reds/blog-the-most-exciting-since-1987-88
has to be 08/09 before then surely.(exciting that is) we was playing good football, ripping teams apart ie real madrid, utd ot the toilet etc. just too many draws let us down in the end, and we ended up 2nd sadly.
I wouldn't say it was the best team - but certainly the most exciting since then. We've been the team to watch in the PL for the most part this season. This season our attacking threat has been up there with Barca, Real, Man City. I think in that list we are 2nd with league goals scored!
Not sure I agree with this; KK inherited a fully functioning, successful team that was used to winning. And he allowed the team to grow too old together. BR inherited a dispirited, mis-firing group of individuals and is performing a bloody miracle with them, imo. As the last paragraph says, whether or not we keep it up and become the "best", only time will tell, but we are certainly the most exciting Liverpool team I've seen for many years. At both ends, unfortunately.
Absolutely this ^ On our day, we can blow anyone away, particularly at home. I believe we are moving closer to Anfield becoming a ground where no opponents want to go, just like the 'good old days'. However, our opponents also know we have weaknesses that they can exploit, particularly away from home. Notwithstanding any of this, the improvement this season is nothing short of scintillating. This time last season, if we'd let a 2 goal lead slip, I'd have been crying into my beer. On Sunday, I fully expected us to continue to score. That's an astounding turnaround in a relatively short period of time. Under those circumstances, we should all be very happy at this point in time.
As I said to mito on another thread, even at 2-2 and 3-3 I was still expecting us to go on to win that game. A year ago I'd have given up.
that's true, now days we have believe we can still win the game, like you said, year ago i would have been saying ffs again, ****ing ****ing pissflap bollocks ****e is this, and gone for a sulk
Yeah, I spotted that saint, but it's something I've been feeling increasingly for a good few weeks now. The Fulham game fully crystallised this feeling. When the gloating manc told me Fulham were 1 up, I just said we'd only been playing for five minutes. at 2 - 2, I turned to said gloating manc and said "we'll get the winner here". He ****ed off shortly after we did
In many cases, what fans consider exciting is considered poor by professionals. With you guys its split right down the middle. Going gorward you have been quite ex****ng but at the back you have been bad. Ex****ng in attack, panto in defence.
Sorry for going off topic but how do you guys feel about LFC this season. The start of something big or another false dawn? Perhaps its too early to tell just yet. As much as I hate to say it, you have outdone everyone expectations so far. Again, sorry for being OT on the OT board but the occassional football discussion wont hurt.... I hope. Have a great day Liverpool Football Fans.
One of the best attacking teams I have seen in my life, and that's not just LFC teams but teams in Europe as well - that's how good our attack has been IMO. For the first time in a while, we have players who can break at pace - that means we can now play on the counter instead of trying to control games all the time. It's given us an added dimension to our game. Sterling, Sturridge are the two 'accelerators' whilst Suarez and Henderson are no slouches who can join up with the attack very quickly.
too early to say anything yet for me. title is still a possibility, same as finishing top 4, but then so is finishing 6th depressingly. see where we are at after spurs game, IF we have secured 4th near enough by then who knows 3rd? whatever it is, i ****ing hope its not another false dawn. cl is a must.
