Sterling believes that LFC are finally hitting their stride
It was a long road to get back (near) to the top but Liverpool have earned their place in the top 6 – and hopefully soon to be top 4 – after going on an unbeaten run since a 3-nil defeat in December to Man Utd.
On that day, Brendan Rodgers debuted his 3-4-3 formation and, despite the most humiliating defeat of the Reds’ season, there were early signs of promise. On reflection (hindsight is a marvelous thing), Liverpool could quite easily have come away with a comfortable win, considering the chances the team had that day but the defence, midfield and attack weren’t as tight and well-drilled as they were against Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
With the last Premier League team to defeat Liverpool due to arrive at Anfield on 22nd March, it’s possible that Rodgers’ team could be entering the match needing a won to leap-frog them, or even be above Manchester United by that point.
Either way, Liverpool’s top-4 rivals should be concerned, as Liverpool are finally beginning to show their class. Speak to the Liverpool ECHO, Sterling said: “It’s a great win for us. We knew we had to come here and do the job and we did that. The boys defended really well and we took our chances when they came.
“It’s always good to get on the scoresheet and it was especially pleasing that it was the goal that killed the game off.
“We knew we were top four material from the start of the season. Obviously it didn’t go as planned at the start but now we’re showing what we can do.
“Credit to the boys, we just need to keep performing and keep fighting and then we’ll definitely get to where we want to be. All the boys are really up for it. Everyone is fighting hard for the team and defending with their lives.”
With a tough run of games ahead, the match on Sunday showed that Brendan Rodgers has a surprisingly strong squad at his disposal, with a number of players either returning from injury or having just found a run of good form, having been left on the side-lines in the early stages of the season – something which could help see Liverpool successfully through a potential 23 remaining games.
Do you agree with Sterling, have Liverpool finally begun to show what they’re capable of? Can the team kick on and finish the season with a trophy and a Champions League place? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
