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Do we have the squad to qualify for Europe?

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LFC squadDO we have the squad to be a contender for Europe?

Everything has gone exceedingly well for the Redmen this season and it is hard to begrudge them their lofty position.  But can they hold on to their second place standing and can they parlay their early success into a place in Europe?

There is no doubt that we have the most feared twosome on offense in the form of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.  They have developed a link that will keep the goals coming into the foreseeable future. 

With service from Philippe Coutinho on his return, the work rate of Henderson and the occasional magical ball from Gerrard, we have only one major fly in the ointment – the status of El Pistolero.

After all, Suarez is a world-class striker who isn’t cup-tied, so there will be another scramble to sign him. The club stayed firm over the summer, and I can’t see them changing their stance in January (unless someone offers a truly stupid amount of money).

Should Liverpool FC be nestled in the top 2 or 3 after Christmas, Suarez may be tempted to consider a future at a resurgent Anfield; should we slip out of the top 4 or should our form until that point prove suspect, we will certainly lose the controversial Uruguayan and the prospect of even the Europa League.  If that happens it will deal a serious blow to the Liverpool side and it’s chances of attracting proven stars to the club.

One thing that may mitigate against the Reds slipping from their current form (apart from our newly found good fortune) is the return of Glen Johnson to the side.  We have already seen that Raheem Sterling is a competent winger but he seems lost at the wingback position he is expected to play under Rodgers’ current system.

Glen Johnson, on the other hand, plays wingback even if the formation doesn’t call for it – it defines him.  Although it may take a match or two to get him back to game shape, I’m sure that Brendan and the coaching staff are as eager as schoolgirls to have our number 2 back in the line-up.

Our defence is solid if a little worrisome at times.  Having four able players for three positions and a goalkeeper who is playing himself into form, the back has held when they have had to.  Mamadou Sakho is proving himself stronger and stronger as he adapts to the English game and we have an embarrassment of riches waiting in the background should any of our central defenders succumb to injury.

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The midfield has proven to be somewhat problematic which I fail to understand.  Lucas has one of the highest passing completion rates in the Premiership and leads the team in challenges won.  Steven has had a few brown outs but has been lively and involved in the majority of games.  Henderson has demonstrated a work rate second only to Suarez while Moses has combined well with the two strikers.

And yet there have been times when it has all broken down.  Whether it is a lack of height in the middle of the park or a reticence to commit, there are times when the middle of the field seems like a no man’s land and the fluidity of the attack (and the defence) loses direction.

There is still so much we don’t know.  Why can’t Iago Aspas find his form at Liverpool?  Is it the systems that Rodgers employs or a lack of confidence?  The player has had multiple opportunities to justify his transfer fee yet continues to disappoint.

With the current line-up, will Luis Alberto get a chance to develop?  Will Andre Wisdom, Jon Flanagan, or Martin Kelly be exposed to the pitch enough to hone their skills?  Will Tiago Ilori or Jordan Ibe see league opposition before the New Year?   

An unexpected spark of form may well ignite in one or more of these players and force a rethink of the composition of the side.  In any case, the mere presence of such quality players points to the fact that we have the depth that top clubs must have in order to stay near the top.

I predict a resurgence of teams such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea once they have grown accustomed to their new managers.  

Whether teams such as Man Utd can regain the aura of invincibility they once displayed remains to be seen.  Surely they have dropped enough points that finishing outside the top four seems a distinct possibility.

Liverpool’s success depends as much on a drop in form of one of the two Manchester teams and Chelsea as it does on their own performance.  Tottenham seems an unsettled side that looks good on paper but even Soldado can’t make up for the loss of an impact player like Bale.

So far, Liverpool’s prospects look amazing.  Much of their hope for playing in Europe, though, rests on the shoulders of Suarez.  If he stays, we have a good chance of qualifying in the top four.  If he goes he will take a big bite (sorry, couldn’t help it) out of Liverpool’s aspiration to bring European nights back to Anfield.  If he stays, as I am inclined to think, and Brendan can make some crucial purchases in the January transfer market, the future looks as promising as many of us have dared to hope.

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Retired High School English teacher. Coached high school football (soccer) and basketball. Played football (soccer) in high school and at university. Live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with my wife and 2 cats. Have been a Liverpool fan since we started receiving broadcasts in Canada. Love to golf and read Terry Pratchett.

45 comments

  • Marshall says:

    Ee have the players to reach top 3 BUT not the manager. Any top manager would have beat Newcastle team with 10 men on Saturday but not Rodgers

    Utd are poor . City n chelski not consistent. This should be our chance but Rodgers will fu co it up. He is not fit to manage a burger van at anfield let alone one of the world greater clubs

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