THE international break was probably seen as a welcome rest for the Liverpool players not involved with their national sides, as well as for the management.
With a good result to end the period before breaking off for international friendlies and World Cup qualifying play-offs, etc, the optimism could probably be high at Melwood.
The team is currently 2nd on the table, just two points behind Arsenal and generally playing well apart from a few hiccups here and there.
The first match for Liverpool once the Premier League resumes however is going to be the Merseyside Derby, followed by fixtures against Hull, Norwich, and West Ham. Those games will have only taken us in to the first week of December, with a packed schedule ahead the rest of the month.
After Norwich visit Anfield, it’ll be a trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham.
The North Londoners may have lost their Welsh hit-man to Real Madrid but they would be a tough challenge, as will most others be.
Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy of taking it one game at a time will probably be put to the test in December since every opponent could potentially make life – from extremely difficult to downright impossible – for Liverpool.
All those matches will have to be approached with a fresh head, but before getting to that, it’s another Merseyside Derby on hand. The first one in a long time against an Everton side without David Moyes.
The Toffees haven’t made a bad start to the season though, lying 6th on the table tied on points with Manchester United and just a point behind 4th placed Chelsea.
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It will be important to grab the game by the horns and dent Everton’s confidence right from the start with a couple of early goals.
That would serve well as much as inject a fresh dose of adrenaline in to Liverpool’s own morale – to quell any dangers of it having gone stale due to the lack of continuity during the international break.
If Liverpool fancy a stab at the title and/or Champions League qualification for next season, it will be supremely important to hit the ground running every time they return from a break in proceedings.
The last thing Rodgers or any Liverpool player, even the fans for that matter, would want is to find out the team has lost some spark after the group was broken up for various international commitments.
The focus will have to return to the Liverpool cause no matter how things went in international colours for the Gerrards, the Sturridges, and the Suarezes, to name a few.
It’ll be a tough ask and there’s no game with a higher profile to return to the Premier League than the Derby.
A win there could retain and reinforce the morale and confidence of the team, and keep it on track to give others a scare, for a change.
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Brendan always thinks that he’s smart,Enrique doesn’t have any injury now and if he doesn’t play him on saturday he will lose that flank to Mirallas and coleman thus losing the match.Mr I know all.
at Anfield last season , with 10 minutes to go with the crowd roaring the reds on , game to be won . Rodgers took off an attacker and put on Skrtel , this was at Anfield kicking into the kop. This is what worries me about this Derby , i don,t believe Rodgers has the bottle or tactical nous to beat the blues and Martinez, now Fulham is the type of game Brendan relishes , this will be different. But it is time for Rodgers to stand up and be counted, he has Luis Suarez , just let him loose , inspire the team , don’t send them out frightened of losing.
Tactically Brendan has been poor in the big games , we hope tomorrow is different. I think it’s a pity martinez turned us down
Brendan should play 4 5 1 or 4 3 3 with Toure and skrtel bcos of Lukaku, pls no Agger .Truth is that am not yet convinced by Br until he start winning big games.Last season we got a total of we got 11 points from top 9 so I think Br is afraid of big games,he seem to lose if b4 a ball is kicked.Am not getting carried away simply bcos Brendan is winning weaker games cos even the UCL we are aspiring 4 is all about big teams so wiseup u Irish fat man .
I’m sure having read over this comment, br will be feeling the pressure. before u rubbish someone, learn to speak.
As for Martinez I like his humility as a manager but in my opinion he was afraid to take lfc on simple.
No . Martinez was unwilling to be a yes man and tell bull to the fans . Rodgers is a yes man for fsg
Oh get over it tool. Baseless drivel
Moron
Still crying are we Alex? Do you know Martinez personally, or are just making up conspiracies so can have another moan.
I think ‘ben’ is that moron aaron in disguise.