As the season comes to a climax, all Liverpool fans will be wondering whether the club will return to Europe’s most elite competition; the Champions League next season. A top four finish has evaded the reds for the third time running this season making it a third year for Liverpool without participating in arguably Europe’s most important competition. For a club of this stature not being part of this competition is not a very pleasant sight.
So what can Liverpool do to help improve their Premier League position and hope for a possible champions league qualification.
Liverpool have had a mixed season so far in 2011-12; by winning the carling cup last weekend, the Reds ended their six year trophy-less draught whereas they have lost ground to the 4th position after they lost to arsenal 2-1 at Anfield.
Liverpool now sit in 7th position, trailing 4th placed Arsenal (by 10 points), 5th placed Chelsea (by 7 points) and 6th placed Newcastle (by 5 points). So expecting a 4th place finish looks almost certainly unachievable this season. It would be a massive disappointment to anyone related to the club, given the amount of time, energy and money spent to help boost the club to a return to the elite “Champions league”. Although the Reds have put up a very average show in the premier league, they have shown glimpses of talent and potential its player’s posses.
During some of the Carling Cup games Liverpool showed sheer domination for example; against Exeter city (3-1) or the game against Chelsea (2-0.) in other games however Liverpool showed determination and held onto to the game for example; against stoke city (2-1) when Liverpool riding on a brace from Luis Suarez, came back from 1-0 to win 2-1 at the Britannia stadium or the game at the Etihad stadium when they held onto their lead to win 1-0 or even the semi final replay at Anfield to hang to a 2-2 draw.
The Reds would quickly like to move on from the home defeat to rivals Arsenal and concentrate on their upcoming fixture against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. As pointed out by Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, the Reds could do with winning the FA cup to cover up for their failure to secure a top four finish. The FA cup competition does provide a double trophy finish, something the KOP must be hoping for.
On the other hand a positive to take from this season is the impressive form of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger forming a deadly partnership in the heart of Liverpool’s defense, which has proven to be very important as Liverpool have failed to score goals this season. In fact the entire back four have been very impressive and arguably the best defense of the premier league.
But the problem does come up with the mid-field with Henderson, Adam and Downing failing to make their presence felt. Liverpool without sidelined Lucas (who had been in exceptional form before his injury) and an injury prone Gerrard is not helping Liverpool. Although Bellamy has been the signing of the season and has played a big role in Liverpool’s Carling cup success, sadly he is not a long term solution. So Liverpool could use a couple of summer signings.
Another possibility would be a strike partner for Suarez, since Carroll has also not had the best of starts. Positive points to take from Saturday’s game would be that Henderson and Downing have improved and are starting to settle into the line-up, which I, along with majority of the Liverpool fans are hoping this is sign of a better season from them. Suarez, who also looked out of touch after his 8 match ban, played extremely well against Arsenal.
A possible question arises in some fan’s minds is whether this season would be Jamie Carragher’s last. This thought may sound unpleasant but it is true, age has caught up to the KOP legend, he is not as quick and as wily as he used to be. So the time may have come for this hero to hang up his boots and leave his beloved club in young and talented hands. Questions could be answered in the next few months as the rest of the season unfolds, so we can look forward to the future.
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a strike partner for suarez???? why not a strike partner for carroll??? suarez has one of if not the worst strike rate in the prem. he could not hit a double decker bus from 2 yards out.if psg are willing to pay the rumoured 85 mill i would take it purchase a striker or two and att mids. we also have to remember we have sterling and morgan that can come through along with other quality youngsters. suarez has been a complete let down (yes he goes past defenders but no end result.
so what your sayin is Andy carroll has and end result ??? suarez is quality and i agree not a scorer but if u played him just behind a goal poacher (not carroll) then that person would get goals for fun. carroll only has size and youth on his side yeah he will get better (i hope) but he will never and should never be a 1st team regular. Now i no we cant get players like higuin, llorente or torres but what about a player of similar style play? i liked munian the other night maybe we should of fought harder for lukaku but maybe the best idea is to get an old head in till morgan or someone comes through…. but with the way we lack goals at the minute can we afford to wait.
YNWA…
Suarez creates a lot of chances…he needs a striker who is able to use these opportunities and finish them. Carroll on the other hand needs sOme one to deliver crosses
A well researched piece and a must read for all Liverpool fans.Tho. ‘am not a fan of this club such persuasive, insightful comments may make me rethink.Wish the Liverpool management also read this. Keep it up.