Sport360° view: Rodgers should revel in Liverpool’s title-winning chances

Alam Khan - Reporter 17:39 17/03/2014
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  • "Liverpool have a glorious chance to end their 24-year wait for the championship."

    Despite being pressed repeatedly, Brendan Rodgers was steadfast on Sunday in his reluctance to talk up Liverpool’s Premier League title chances.

    He claimed it was all about being humble. But no one was buying into that, and the way his side steamrollered Manchester United at Old Trafford should have him screaming it to all and sundry.

    Belief is key at times like this and this result confirms Liverpool have a glorious chance to end their 24-year wait for the championship.

    With eight wins from 10 unbeaten games, they are the form team and, without the burden of European football, playing with the confidence and flamboyance that has not been seen within the Anfield ranks for some time.

    Not even the Liverpool teams that finished second in 2002 or 2009 could match the level of industry, intelligence or impact as this one.

    There was pressure on Rodgers at the start of last season as he tried to shape Liverpool in the style he wanted but his methods came under scrutiny amid the club’s lack of success.

    He took decisions that may not have been popular – like releasing Pepe Reina and Andy Carroll – but were right for the way he wanted to take the team forward.

    Questions were asked about signings such as Joe Allen, but the midfielder was one of the unsung heroes against United with his combative and combination play alongside Jordan Henderson.

    And then there was Steven Gerrard’s role. From being revered as one of the most attack-minded midfielders, he has been effectively deployed in a deeper role. In the humiliation of their biggest rivals, Gerrard was the fulcrum of a diamond system that simply sparkled, epitomising the desire within the ranks.

    Rodgers described his captain as “peerless”, but he too deserves credit for getting the team to produce performances that will worry Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.

    John Flanagan has looked as- sured on the left where Liverpool have been weak. And in Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge, Rodgers has given them the opportunity to prosper. They have all been made to feel special, including Luis Suarez.

    When the striker expressed his desire to leave for Arsenal last summer, many clubs would prob- ably have looked to cash in and avoid problems with someone who clearly did not believe Liverpool could match his personal ambition.

    Sir Alex Ferguson ditched Jaap Stam, David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane after spats. Roberto Mancini dumped Carlos Tevez after their bust-up, but brought back the Argentine to play a part in their 2012 title win.

    Suarez has similar matchwinning abilities to Tevez, and managers need to persist to get the best out of such talents. Rodgers did just that with the Uruguayan and it could now make the difference to the outcome of the title.

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