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Rating Liverpool as the Season Closes – Part 2

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Liverpool-v-Manchester-City-Philippe-Coutinho_3120270Life goes on.

Every Liverpool fan will be pleased as the success of our season, how Liverpool have revived themselves so spectacularly that they have almost gone all the way with a squad that defies that logic. At the same time, they have been playing the kind of football that is associated with the club and gets every supporter excited ahead of a Liverpool match.

Even without bringing the title home, the feel good factor has returned. Also, the theory that Liverpool will suddenly find themselves back in 7th position next season is ridiculous and absurd. Yes, of course everyone will strengthen next season, but that does not guarantee success (Tottenham).

Liverpool, along with Manchester City, have the best attack in the league. Some extra depth and competition in the forward areas, plus another box-to-box midfielder to supplement Jordan Henderson (who has been a colossal miss and has been one of the biggest factors in our title collapse) is all that is needed to ensure that Liverpool’s main strengths are maintained into next season, which now contains a Champions League bolstered fixture list.

The real issue is the defence, with the likes of Jose Enrique, Daniel Agger, Kolo Toure and Glen Johnson all looking likely to leave. Four defenders are needed, with at least one commanding, world class centre back and three full backs.

My last entry concerned the players who have occupied the back five for Liverpool this season. Thoughts now turn to the midfield.

Central Midfield – (Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Steven Gerrard)

The fact that the loss of Henderson may have contributed to Liverpool’s title demise demonstrates the rapid rise in his importance to the club and his performances on the pitch this season. An unsung hero compared to the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard, yet he has been just as vital.

Henderson was so close to departing Liverpool at the beginning of Brendan Rodgers’ reign as manager, in a potential swap deal with Fulham’s Clint Dempsey.

Now he is looking likely to start alongside Gerrard for England at the World Cup, suggesting that King Kenny did have a reason for spending £16m on the now 23 year old.

Up until his red card against Manchester City, Henderson had played in every league game for the Reds, and had played the full 90 minutes in all but one of those games. He has been Gerrard’s legs, allowing the skipper to flourish in his new defensive midfield roll by providing those intelligent runs and relentless running.

With 5 goals too, Henderson is becoming an all-round midfielder. He could remain a Liverpool regular for years to come. Henderson – 8.5/10

Sympathy has been the word associated with Lucas Leiva this season. In recent years he became one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League; however, the Brazilian has suffered a series of injuries just as he was at his peak for Liverpool, becoming the new Daniel Agger.

Lucas started this season well also, such as his performance alongside Gerrard at Villa Park, which was imperious. Once again though, injuries have disrupted his campaign. Yet what’s made this layoff even more painful and significant is that instead of relying on a Jay Spearing or another inadequate defensive midfielder, Gerrard was instead converted by Rodgers into the next Andrea Pirlo.

Consequently, Lucas has struggled to regain his traditional starting place, and with more midfielders expected to arrive next season, Lucas’ days could be numbered.

It is a shame, as he has won over the support of Liverpool fans after his torrid early years, but his mobility is not what it was. Furthermore, he turns 28 next season, so his price tag will not get any higher than this summer.

Whatever happens Lucas, we wish you all the best. Lucas – 7/10

A microcosm of Henderson, Joe Allen has enjoyed a fruitful improvement this season, particularly in the second half once he became fully fit.

Seen as an expensive luxury buy by many (much like Fellaini for Moyes), his industrious work rate, clever passing and now heading ability (!) have all come on leaps and bounds compared to the shy, under-confident player we saw last season, at even in late 2013 (that miss at Goodison…).

Nevertheless, Allen has made 25 appearances this season for Liverpool and at only 24 can improve further in future seasons. He looks to have ousted Lucas as the 3rd choice central midfielder behind Gerrard and Henderson, but that may yet drop to 4th/5th by next season.

Hopefully he will remain though, from a personally selfish point of view, as he is the type of squad player that champion teams possess. Allen – 7/10

Oh Stevie. I’m so sorry.

Each title chasing captain has experienced his moment – Terry’s own goal against Crystal Palace, Kompany’s slice for Coutinho and Gerrard’s clip for Ba. Yet the Liverpool skipper’s nightmare looks to have sealed the title in City’s favour.

However, whilst it is not over yet, this season has not been just about unlikely title glory. It is a season that has ensured Gerrard will remain an integral part of this Liverpool team for a few more years yet – giving him hopefully at least one more chance to finally complete his trophy cabinet.

Gerrard’s 34th birthday is one the horizon, yet this new defensive midfield role (which took a couple of game to get used to – Aston Villa at Anfield for example) has allowed him to save his energy and legs and use his experience to stop opposition attacks.

Then, being arguably the best passer in the Premier League, he can then start a myriad of attacks for Liverpool, with raking, diagonal passes, skimming, low versions or just even keeping it short and simple.

Despite the emotion of a potential title win in recent months, Gerrard has kept his cool, with 14 goals from 38 appearances and a penalty record of 11 from 12 (and the miss was a relatively unimportant third against Manchester United). Additionally, he has made 12 assists in the league, level with league leader Suarez.

Gerrard has been absolutely inspirational throughout his entire career and has still managed to add another new chapter at his age in a new position. Subsequently, he has then excelled to such an extent that he’s now one of the best in Europe in that position. It is not the beginning of the end for him or Liverpool – it is the end of the beginning. Gerrard – 8.5/10

Attacking Midfield – (Coutinho, Victor Moses, …)

That £8.5m continues to look more and more ridiculous! What were Inter Milan thinking?!

There were those that were concerned that Coutinho would drop off this season after a wonderful opening six months where he surprised all opposition and established a relationship with another new boy, Daniel Sturridge, that bordered on the telepathic.

Others would wise up and make Coutinho’s life far more difficult from a physical point of view. However, despite their attempts, the Brazilian has showed everyone a side not many though he had in his locker.

He has serious strength. He can tackle too.

The game against Manchester City at Anfield epitomised everything that has been wonderful about Coutinho this season. He has been a terrier, harassing any opponent with the ball before playing wonderful passes forward after a series of successful tackles.

The 5-1 against Arsenal is another good example, and this demonstrates another skill of his, one which is being levelled at Suarez as the reason why he is not yet at the level of Ronaldo and Messi.

Coutinho turns up against the big boys.

In 36 appearances, he has delivered 5 goals and 7 assists, but that does not tell half the story when it comes to the level of his performances. If he can remain consistent, like Henderson he could remain in the Anfield midfield for a very long time. Coutinho – 8/10

Last but not least (for now) is a Chelsea player, yet Victor Moses is as likely to be playing at Stamford Bridge next season as he is at Anfield.

It all started so well too.

A goal on his debut against Swansea gave a sign of great things to come from Moses, as Liverpool fans hoped he would provide that extra depth and quality in the pursuit of a top four finish.

Since then however, Liverpool’s expectations and performances have soared, while Moses’ have been the exact opposite. Admittedly he has barely had the chance to build up confidence with regular play, but he had to impress when given the chance.

In that 3-1 defeat to Hull City, his horror show ensured that he would never become first choice at Anfield, with Raheem Sterling being given the nod in later games and then going on to become the player he is now.

2 goals in 22 appearances hardly makes for pleasant reading, although he could yet establish himself at a club with reduced expectations, such as Newcastle or Aston Villa (no disrespect intended).

Gambling with Victor never works. Moses – 5.5/10

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