Top Four Good – But Top Three Better

After the failings of English clubs on the resumption of Champions League football (in fact the Europa League as well), some feel a different club representing England in Europe’s top table would add a fresh perspective, and Liverpool’s attacking football this season has won over many neutrals. In addition, it has brought them on the edge of a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2009.

Brendan Rodgers has stated that qualification this year would resemble lightening progress, as their plan was to challenge this year and qualify next season. Getting in a year earlier would boost Liverpool financially and also in their capability to attract the top players.

Liverpool’s failings in the summer transfer market this season demonstrated how desperately they need to finish in the top four. Their name and stature are still unrivalled compared to many clubs, yet Champions League football is the biggest factor for the top players nowadays. Diego Costa, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Willian and Mohamed Salah are all names Liverpool have failed to get either because of their inability to match the fees offered by other clubs or the fact that they can’t offer Champions League football.

With the losses to Arsenal and Manchester United, Liverpool now only have the Premier League to focus on, with 11 games left to go. The advantage gained over their rivals, who still have other competitions to distract them from the league, is having every week free to plan for the game at the weekend, with barely any midweek games. If there are any, it is because Liverpool haven’t played at certain weekends, meaning that their squad still enjoys far more rest and practice compared to the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

City will soon travel to Barcelona whilst still being involved in the FA Cup and Chelsea have just returned from a long trip to Turkey after their draw with Galatasaray. Arsenal meanwhile have a horrendous fixture list in March and could soon be looking over their coattails at North London rivals Tottenham in holding a top four place rather than winning the league.

The season is falling into such a situation where, even with a stronger squad next season, this may well be the best chance Liverpool have to win the title for quite some time. Every team has failings this season, which could allow Liverpool to capitalise.

Unfortunately, Liverpool’s own failing is holding Rodgers and his team back arguably more than anyone else. Currently they are scoring themselves out of trouble but they are not going to score four goals every game. Therefore the defence has to improve to stand any chance of the title.

However, there doesn’t have to be any drastic change for Liverpool to finish in the top three. The upcoming fixtures are not ideal, with three straight away games to Southampton, Manchester United and Cardiff City. Yet Arsenal’s are far worse, and catching one team is a lot easier than trying to hope all three above slip up. Therefore, whilst Liverpool’s March is tough, it could be absolutely pivotal in securing an automatic place in the group stages of the Champions League.

Luis Suarez would know he would be assured of a first team place in a team awaiting the group stage draw in Monaco, instead of sweating over a good draw in the playoff. They would not want to fall at the first hurdle before the competition has really begun, like when Everton were knocked out by Villarreal when David Moyes did get them into the Champions League in 2005.

Finishing in the top four may not have been imperative at the start of this season, or more likely it was unexpected. However, at this stage of the season and with the current predicament of their rivals around them, top four shouldn’t be the target. People may think of the title, but a top three finish would constitute a fantastic season for Brendan Rodgers and his men.

But it’s always good to dream.