Still positivity to be taken from the Christmas No.1’s

THE 0-0 draw between Arsenal and Chelsea last Monday night may have been dull and lifeless, but the spark that resulted from the stalemate was the fact that Liverpool would be top of the Premier League table on Christmas Day.

Not a bad feat for a team that has struggled to make the top six in recent seasons. As Brendan Rodgers stated after Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Cardiff, for a team to go from seventh to first in one season is unprecedented.

However, in a season where everything seems unprecedented (check out the manager at Old Trafford for a start) and completely unpredictable, all Liverpool can do is continue winning football matches and staying in the mix and then in all honesty, who knows what could happen?

Before daring to dream, Liverpool need to focus on one game at a time, like all good teams and sportspeople do. Without trying to sound like a grouch, it was fantastic to hear the news that the Reds wouldn’t be having a Christmas party this season and instead would be training on Christmas Day ahead of the monumental clash against Manchester City on Boxing Day.

Last year, Brendan Rodgers decided to give Christmas Day off to the players, which arguably was a significant factor in the 3-1 loss at Stoke City the day after. And although the Reds still came away with the same amount of points this Boxing Day, the performance was in stark contrast to last season; Liverpool going toe-to-toe with the money-might of Manchester City in their own back yard, and unlucky to come out pointless. Optimism should still remain, and as Simon Mignolet said to the Liverpool Echo – “The party can wait until May”.

Losing Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge, arguably Liverpool’s most important players after Luis Suarez with their goals and assists throughout the season, seemed a massive blow to Liverpool ahead of the festive period. Yet they have coped admirably, with Rodgers bringing in the likes of Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling as cover and they have impressed, helping the team win incredibly 5-0 at White Hart Lane and then comfortably see off Cardiff City.

However, with suggestions that Liverpool’s midfield looks better without the skipper, a word of caution has to be advised here. Liverpool are playing very well at the moment, but there is a long way to go in the season and there will be ups and downs. It’s how the Reds respond in times of darkness that will dictate what they are challenging for this season and will demonstrate how the long the downs are compared to the ups.

This is where Gerrard comes in. His passion, drive and determination to do well for Liverpool and to see the club reach its former glories is unmatched by those around him, and he is at his best when having to drag Liverpool from the depths and inspire those around him. Admittedly, this hasn’t happened as regularly in recent seasons in terms of goals or marauding round the pitch, but by setting the example, providing assists and getting the tempo going for Liverpool, as well as popping up with a goal or two here and there, Gerrard is still vital to the Liverpool cause and vital to the club’s chances of success this season. Allen has done well, but Gerrard, Lucas and Henderson is the best midfield at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal this season, barring January signings.

With the colossal Luis Suarez banging in more goals than ever, regularly making jaws drop in the manner of the goals, again there have been comments that without Sturridge, Suarez performs better as the lone striker. He is able to link up with midfield runners, notably Raheem Sterling, Coutinho and Jordan Henderson, whereas the midfield would be a little more rigid with two strikers up front.

Furthermore, he can go pretty much anywhere he wants on the pitch, like a false nine as the runners go ahead of him, confusing defenders who have no idea who to mark, which opens space for the Uruguayan to perform his magic. Nevertheless, there will come a time when the goals dry up for Suarez (surely?), and whilst the likes of Henderson in midfield are improving with every game, the goals coming from that area wouldn’t be enough to survive a Suarez drought.

Therefore, Sturridge provides the goals in such a situation, while Henderson’s new found confidence should allow him to link up with ‘SAS’ if Rodgers reverts to a two striker formation. Furthermore, Coutinho should also have similar joy to Henderson. However, they will have to be wary of opposition wingers and strikers as these two would have to be deployed on the wing.

On the last three occasions Liverpool have topped the table on Christmas Day, they have failed to win the title. The most recent example is 2008, where Rafael Benitez led arguably his strongest team in his six years at Anfield to second place behind Manchester United. The spine of 2008/09 contained Pepe Reina (who had won three consecutive Barclays Golden Gloves and was the favourite for a fourth), Jamie Carragher at his peak, an arguably unrivalled midfield trio at the time in the form of Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano and then potentially the best striker in world football in Fernando Torres.

The 2013/14 team doesn’t come close to that, but their rival teams this time around don’t have the strength and unity that Ferguson’s United had at the time, with the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov, Vidic and Van Der Sar all playing at their highest level. Furthermore, in this unprecedented and unpredictable season, absolutely anything could happen.

Liverpool top at Christmas – done – Liverpool as champions – why not?