Five things we learned from today’s win, including why the top four is well within reach…
Liverpool took a huge stride towards securing a place in next season’s Champions League today, after beating defending Premier League champions Manchester City 2-1 at Anfield.
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Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho both scored superb goals for the Reds, ensuring that Edin Dzeko’s strike proved to be little more than consolation for the visitors.
Here are five things we learned from this afternoon’s game:
5) There is no team in the country with more potential than us
How can you not be excited about this Liverpool team? Emre Can, 21-years-old; Lazar Markovic, 20; Jordan Henderson, 24; Joe Allen, 24; Alberto Moreno, 22; Philippe Coutinho, 22; Raheem Sterling, 20 – just how good could this team be in three or four years time? Add in the players that didn’t start today – Daniel Sturridge and Jordon Ibe to name just two – and you can see what an incredible job Brendan Rodgers has done of building for the future.
4) Dejan Lovren deserves another chance
Let’s not get carried away here, the Croatian was not at his best today. He wasn’t the player who starred for Southampton last season and cost us £20m during the summer transfer window. However, he was better, much better in fact, and he deserves huge credit for his performance today – less than 72 hours after his penalty miss against Besiktas. He has huge quality, and if he continues his recent upturn in form, then his confidence will grow.
3) We’ve been underestimating Joe Allen’s ability
Liverpool fans were quick to criticise Joe Allen earlier this season, often bemoaning his inclusion in the team and complaining that he didn’t bring anything extra. We too had out doubts about the Welshman, who was certainly out of form if nothing else. We’re prepared to hold our hands up and say we were wrong. What he does isn’t glamorous, but it is quietly astute and effective, and against City today, he was absolutely brilliant.
2) Coutinho should be considered one of the best players in the country
Who needs Luis Suarez? The Brazilian has already won our ‘player of the month’ award three time’s so far this season, and on this evidence he’ll be drunk on congratulatory champagne come the end of the season. For the second game in a row, he’s scored a truly wonderful individual goal from long range and effectively won us the points. Rodgers challenged Coutinho to score more goals, and on this evidence he’s definitely delivering.
1) A place in the top four is well within our grasp
Arsenal’s win over Everton means we’re still two points adrift of the top four, but today’s result will come as a huge psychological boost. We’re still unbeaten in the league since mid-December, and our form over the last three months is better than anyone else. With the awkward nature of Thursday night games in the Europa League now having been removed, we can take heart from the fact that we’ll soon be able to focus on just one game a week!
