What to expect from a dynamic December?

LIVERPOOL enter the month of December with an average of 3.5 in terms of games played per month in a season without European football. That statistic encourages the notion that the Reds are in for what will be a hectic final month of the year – with a total of seven games to play before 2014 arrives.

Supporters of Liverpool will be overjoyed at the sight of seeing their team play on a regular basis after just six matches over the last two months and there are some mouthwatering matches to look forward to over the Christmas period. As well as the prospect of a handful of exciting encounters there are excellent opportunities for Brendan Rodgers and his team to pick up some vital points to keep the Reds challenging going into next year.

December starts with a triple-header against three of the sides expected to battle against relegation this season. A trip to Hull on Sunday is followed by two home games against Norwich and West Ham all in the space of six days. In what is unusual scheduling for Liverpool, this run of games will provide a test for Rodgers – a manager who does not have huge experience in squad rotation.

Those three matches arrive before a trip to White Hart Lane to play struggling Spurs. Usually, a game against one of our fellow challengers for Champions League football would not be one to get too optimistic about, however, with Tottenham notably out of form, there isn’t a better time to face Villas-Boas’ men. Between now and then, Spurs have to play Manchester United as well as visit Fulham and Sunderland so there is a possibility that they will not have recovered there poor form by the time the Reds make the trip down south.

A lunch-time kick-off against Cardiff City is pencilled in for December 21^st and, with the fixtures given to Liverpool in the first half of the month, the Reds could well be on an excellent run of form when Malky Mackay brings his boys to Anfield. If another three points can be negotiated from a tricky home fixture it would provide Liverpool with the perfect preparation for what is, on paper, arguably the toughest possible climax to a month in English football.

The size of that task facing Liverpool just after the Christmas celebrations is one that will give Rodgers not only a selection headache but a chance to prove his and the teams true credentials.

On Boxing Day, Liverpool face Manchester City at the Etihad and just three days later travel to Stamford Bridge to tackle Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Although two unquestionably difficult fixtures, Liverpool were unbeaten last season in both of these matches and, with a considerably better squad, the Reds have an opportunity to pull off a shock or two. Having said that, Rodgers has to get his tactics and selections spot on if we are to have a chance at two of the most difficult grounds in the league.

No fixture in the Premier League is an easy one and there is no doubt that the team will show the likes of Norwich, Hull and Cardiff the same respect they give to Spurs, Chelsea and Man City. However, the contrast between our fixtures in this upcoming month could not be more significant. Three away matches against title contenders versus four home games facing relegation candidates. December will be a month to test the mettle of this Liverpool squad, it will be a month that gives us a clear indication of how the team will fare come the end of the season. For me, a minimum of sixteen point is required – anything else is a bonus.

To end the year on 40 points from 19 games (the 16 required from December’s fixtures + our current 24) would mean that we are on course for an overall haul of 80 points – a total that would see us right up there challenging for not only top four but the title as well. Sixteen points equates to victories in all four home games, as well as four points from our tricky away ties. For a team with the quality that Liverpool possesses, that is a very achievable target. Let’s see if the lads are up to the task in what should be a gripping month of football.