Three games in to the season, there were feint, light hearted whispers about a possible title challenge this season. Amongst us reds it was generally laughed off and downplayed, zoom forward to Christmas day, sitting pretty at the top of the table, yet, still downplaying our chances. How can a team jump from seventh to first in season? Well it's Liverpool, something is bound to go wrong. The back-to-back losses seemingly reinforced our opinions on a potential title challenge. But, since then, that feint, reluctant belief has been rekindled. No one could of foreseen the run of games which would follow, and which for now is not over. Arsenal, Everton, Southampton and Manchester United, all beaten.. 10 games unbeaten, 5 game winning streak. This is the sort of run you need to go on to win the title. From a personal point of view I, like many, have never really bought in to this whole title challenge, but the win away to OT yesterday has seriously convinced me that we CAN win it. Without bringing out too many more worn-out clichés, every game from now 'till the end of the season is a cup final. I hope Brendan is drilling that in to the players, what they're on the cusp off is something truly special. Against all odds, from seventh place, a disgruntled Suarez looking to leave.. We could actually win the title? Whatever happens, CL is as good as secured, that was the main objective going in to the season. We're outsiders.. But this season feels different. THIS IS OUR YEAR (disclaimer: May not be our year) please log in to view this image #NoJinx
I said I would join the optimism if we got ten points from this next block of four and I'm sticking to it. The Sunderland game was postponed (but the rescheduled fixture is still in said block) and we've beat Man Utd.
If we won it this season, would it be a greater triumph than Istanbul? And yes, I'm starting to believe we will do it.
Way to jinx us Magic Reading that made me go all feint please log in to view this image I still can't see it for a number of reasons, City have a much bigger pool of players and now only one thing to focus on, Chelsea have Maureen's influence over ref's, Arsenal are still strong enough to at least whip the smaller clubs they have to play. For me it will still end up being between the oil clubs but who the **** knows now. No way did I expect us to be this close with 9 games left and with our attack as it is we could beat any team on our day. We are playing the best football I've seen in years and for that I'm grateful....truly grateful You're spot on about the run we're on and it seriously is exactly the kind of post xmas form that wins titles but can we keep it up........maybe not but I do know one thing for sure, there won't be many teams looking forward to playing us over the next couple of months.
NoJinx added to the OP Momentum is a beautiful thing in football. I think (almost) having it in our hands could be the driving force behind a real last push, we're scoring for fun, if we continue to average 3 goals a game we'll score a record amount which speaks volumes in itself. We look much more resilient, less panicky when suffering set-backs, it's astonishing as we've all seen this team develop in front of our very own eyes in such a short space of time. We're still outsiders, but strictly speaking, in my life time we've been at our best when we've been the under dogs.
That's why yesterdays result was so pleasing though because for the first time in years we went to Old Toilet as the overdogs (??) and still whooped them. The key for me isn't just the momentum, the free scoring or the extra resilience (all important things of course) it's the fact that they are so obviously enjoying the way Buck sends them out to play I totally agree with you about being the outsiders, we've basically crept up on the rails since the two defeats but as I've said all along we have to learn how to handle the pressure (at some point) of being a genuine contender. I think now is that time....and if the lads are enjoying playing the game then I think that pressure is reduced considerably
Well said mate! We've pretty much already achieved our primary goal bar a total collapse on our part or perhaps a shock Utd CL win, so not only are the lads enjoying their football, but we are virtually under no pressure at all to finish top. The pressure is on Chelsea, City and maybe less so Arsenal (though they now have to build on the consistent top four finishes). I tend to think when you're playing in such a free-flowing team, with arguably one of the top strike-forces in Europe, the belief going in to any game that we'll score a hatfull is priceless. Coincide that with some key squad players returning from injury (NoJinx), and our back-four keeping a pair of great clean sheets.. It could all be falling in to place at the crucial time.
Our toughest games remaining are at home, which is the big thing for me. I can't see a single one of those teams looking forward to coming to Anfield, never mind trying to play attacking all out football. So whilst we're a little behind and yeah, City have games in hand, they both need to come here and go away with something - never mind their other fixtures which are tricky. We can win it, sure. I still won't believe it until we're on the last game of the season and just need a win to clinch it. I'm fed up with disappointment, so I see this season as fantastic, whatever happens in the last few games.
I agree with this. We are the most consistent team in the league right now and with city and Chelsea at home it's (almost) in our own hands. City have to go to united next week..will we get a reaction from Moyes' shower of ****? Be the first time I've cheered manure on. A draw between Chelsea and arsenal would be great. Of course, as usual, it will mean nothing if we don't win our games against the struggling teams starting this week. I think we can probably afford to drop 6/7'points and still win it. Great being involved at this time of the season and almost unbelievable to feel we can win it. A big ask but I think that maybe, just maybe, we can COME ON YOU REDS!
3 things; 1. I still wish we could have done the double #neversatisfied 2. This is now all about TEAM and sorting men from boys 3. The person needing convincing is not any of us but Gerrard. I cannot put it strongly enough that when he believes and puts it all on the line anything is possible. SAS.... They believe but if Gerrard believes I think the defense becomes 1000 time better and the midfield comes alive Add all this up and you question if city are a team or a group of individuals and you question Chelsea's forwards and finally you question arsenals heart.... If you only see the money and such you miss the weaknesses. We've a decent chance but need to haul in Chelsea before the game with them
How can we be disappointed? Honestly I thought it would be a struggle to get 4th at the start of the season. Looking at The squads of Chelsea, City,Arsenal and Spurs i thought they all had a better chance of making the top 4 than us. All season i've been waiting for the wheels to come off, but we are getting stronger and better and most importantly we believe. 5 games ago i thought 4th fantastic after Southampton and United why not dream? No one will want to play us, we have the most important attribute momentum. So lets enjoy the last 9 games, its going to be some ride.
Oh and before I forget.... If we don't? I won't be at all disappointed, the is a no lose scenario now. What a great way to be
Gerrard, as you rightly say, is the MAN who can make this happen. His inspirational qualities can drag everyone along with him and he may make us into such an irresistible force the mercenaries of city and Chelsea may not be able to cope with it. He must know that this may be his best ever chance of winning the league and , as you can see from yesterday's performance, he is giving it everything. I though he was magnificent yesterday. Not the marauding goal scoring midfielder we have seen in previous years but a new controlled, responsible captain who is taking us along for a very exciting ride. Would it be too much for him to score the goal that made us champions...I can dream. No Liverpool player would deserve it more.
All season I have been saying that the title must be our Aim with a primary objective of top4. That still applies. Take one match at a time. We cannot effect what the other sides actually do so why worry about them until we actually play them. Let them worry that we continue to win as many games as possible until both the aim and the objective is met.
Well given that the top teams are playing each other they are going to drop points and it's silly to think we will win all 9 remaining games as much as I'd like us to.
Suarez' prodigious goalscoring has slackened off a bit of late, so he'll be looking to top it up a bit.
