A decent weekend. Not bad at all.
Before our evening kick off at St Mary’s Brendan Rodgers received the news that will have helped his team talk no end, Arsenal had lost at Stoke City. Get three points on the south coast and you enter the two week hiatus only a place behind leaders Chelsea, firmly on their coattails.
Looking at the forthcoming fixture list just as studiously as Brendan and his coaching staff, as a fan I’d thought that if we could emerge victorious against the Saints then I could upgrade my stance of a title talk from ‘possible’ to ‘cautiously optimistic’.
Since gaining promotion two season ago, Southampton have impressed many during their return to the top flight and were well worthy of the three points during their visit to Anfield earlier in the campaign. These are the games labelled ‘tricky’ by those in the know, highlighting the fact that Liverpool should win but if they don’t it may not be a real surprise. Previously this is the type of game that we would have faltered with but this side is a lot more clinical and, on Saturday at least, ruthless to get fooled by a tricky opponent.
Brendan Rodgers himself, in the aftermath of the 3-0 victory, claimed he was as impressed by this win as he was when we sent Arsenal back to London with their tails between their legs. I would certainly share those sentiments as it showed that we can stand firm amongst an onslaught of pressure, be clinical when we need to be and grind an opponent down as we place our mark on a game.
Our next array of fixtures could say just as much about the mentality of this side as the St. Mary’s victory did. A trip to Old Trafford awaits us next, followed by a week that features a trip to Cardiff before a return to Anfield four days later v Sunderland and then Spurs at home the following Sunday.
As March ends we could have accumulated twelve points out of twelve, an impressive tally having faced a rival away, as well as three games in the space of a week, and one that would make those around us firmly sit up and take note.
Against Cardiff City, as well as Sunderland at home to some respect, it may well be another game similar to that against Southampton, tricky. A game where needing to battle and let our talent shine through may work as a Plan A, showing that we do have another style of winning.
So far the season has gone well beyond expectations that many a reasonable minded supporter would have had. Keep it up and the success this side has this season could be unlimited.
Next stop, Old Trafford.