Liverpool have started the season in remarkably unremarkable fashion. Unconvincing, and yet strangely impressive. It is often said that teams poised for glory win games even when they aren’t playing well. This must be what ‘Pool fans hope is ahead of them, this season. Despite tepid displays against average teams such as Standard Liege, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, the Reds have come out victorious in the end, snatching late winners at each occasion.
Positives can be found in these results. The late winners show this years Liverpool have not only the will and drive, but also the required fitness levels and proven match winners within their ranks, to press opponents to the very red end in search of a winner.
Last year it was another Reds team that started in a similar fashion: Man United, playing poorly in August and yet getting some decent results. Later they really got going and played exciting fluent football, winning titles. Whether Liverpool have that potential though, remains a question up for debate.
One thing they do have, however, is experience, not least from the Champions League; which they left it late to qualify for this season. Pitted against Marseille (again), PSV Eindhoven and Athletico Madrid, they will need all that European experience to get through. It will be a tough group, but as former Reds great Phil Thompson confidently put it, about Liverpool’s chances of getting through the group: “They’ll have enough; they have the knowledge and the know-how, and I cant see it being a problem.”
As for new signings, Gareth Barry seems to have eluded them, but Riera might be coming to Anfield soon from Espanyol. Despite the lack of big name signings, the new recruits seem solid enough and Liverpool could be looking to progress another step up or two on the Premier League ladder this season. Yet, it might be too soon for Red fans to seriously hope for Premier League glory, but it’s not impossible.
Despite a healthy squad depth, the health of ‘Captain Fantastic’ - Steven Gerrard - must be of concern for the manager nonetheless. With his characteristically uncompromising style of play, he not only epitomizes the Liverpool heart and soul, but also gets results for his team. He’ll be out for a few weeks and fans and manager alike, will be hoping he won’t have any further serious problems this season. Liverpool without Gerrard, just don’t seem like viable title contenders.
Leaving it late and later, seems to have become the motto of Liverpool of late. Not only result-wise, but also when it comes to the building of their new stadium at Stanley Park. The latest delay in a history of delays, was announced today, and must be of some concern. Do the owners really have the funds to splash on the 400 million pound project or not? Citing global market problems with credit, doesn’t sound very convincing. The stadium project could, if funds are insufficient, put a long term stranglehold on the clubs lofty ambitions. Indeed, the failure of signing Barry must be seen in this slightly worrying context. Title ambitions need money to back them up in today’s world of football. Otherwise, they are unlikely to ever materialize.
The proposed new Liverpool stadium at Stanley Park
On Sunday Rafa Benitez and his men face a very difficult Aston Villa challenge. If they can come away from Villa Park with a point, Rafa would surely be pleased. A win, would not only delight ‘the professor’, but might just put real belief into Liverpool players and fans alike; that a season of glory might be up ahead. It will be a stern test for sure, and a very important one indeed, for the men in red.
