Monday morning; and I wake up in an unusual position with my laptop perched over me like a family pet.
The light of the screen is troubling my vision but what I’m reading is a sight for sore, yet still adjusting, eyes. The Premier League table is staring back at me having fallen asleep thinking about the possibilities our win at Old Trafford has brought to our league campaign.
Having watched the victory over the reigning champions three times on Sunday it was only on the second viewing did I truly appreciate our dominance in the game.
Watching a game with such intensity, like Liverpool v Man United or a Merseyside Derby, means I can never sit back and enjoy my team taking on a fierce rival. Even last Sunday, knowing that Man United were struggling to break us down, it wasn’t until Match OfThe Day 2 till I sat back and said, ‘wow, that was impressive.’
Seeing the game in a much more relaxed nature made me realise that it seemed United were waiting for Liverpool to score. Their demeanour was one of a team trying to prove they’re not short of confidence while constantly being wary of the fact, something Liverpool quickly capitalised on.
It’s a situation that could be replicated on Saturday at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Everton’s late winner against Cardiff last weekend is bound to have affected the Bluebirds’ confidence, especially following a vital win over Fulham, so a positive start from Liverpool could see them on the back foot for most of the contest.
The last Liverpool performance to receive high praise from all quarters, against Arsenal, was followed by a nervy and disjointed performance against Fulham, but one that still yielded three points.
That Craven Cottage visit may refocus the squad before they take on a Cardiff side sitting 19th in the league table. It’s these type of games, where you’re expected to walkover the opposition, that can trip sides up, especially in the business end of the season.
Hopefully on Saturday evening we can watch the highlights of a game where Liverpool dominated from start to finish and managed to bag enough goals to display this dominance. The team spirit currently being displayed by this squad leads me to think that any potential overconfidence won’t get chance to rear its head.
This season we’ve seen countless images of all ten outfield players joining in celebration when the ball hits the back of the net, a sign of unity within a team that needs to embrace any advantage over its richer competitors.
It’ll be over a month since we kicked a ball at Anfield when Sunderland visit on Wednesday evening. Since our exhilarating win over Swansea we’ve collected six points from six and scored, you guessed it, six goals in the process. If we can return home with nine points collected from three away trips it’ll be a welcome present before two home games within the space of four days.
At present, Liverpool are playing with a confidence that is combined with a lack of pressure as they know their main aim of securing Champions League football is all but in the bag. Should this aim be guaranteed within the next few weeks, they could head into a title challenge playing with a confidence that has seen teams such as Arsenal, Everton and Man United beaten with consummate ease.
It’s the teams further down the league that could cause a potential upset, but if they play the football that has been applauded from far and wide the feel good factor around the club could remain for another week at least.
By Michael Williams – @mikewilliams05