Liverpool: Consistency Is Key To Unlock Champions League
failed to pay the extra £2 million asked for by Fulham for the services of Clint Dempsey, who ended up moving to Tottenham. Some fans questioned the policy of the owners to focus on youth players over aged ones, especially as this left the Reds with only one real striker. Other supporters pondered on whether the owners didnt pay the extra £2 million because they didnt have that money to spend. In the life of a Premier League football club, £2million is copper pennies to the average person, so to refuse to pay such a small amount in the context of the sport alarmed some fans. That opening day defeat led to a slow start in the red half of Merseyside. It took Premier League match number 6 for Rodgers to secure his first 3 points of the season, away to Norwich. It wasnt much of a catalyst. Draws against Stoke, Everton and Newcastle led to more dropped points, and Rodgers start of season expectations of 4th place looked far from realistic. By the end of November the Reds werent even in the top half of the table. Most fans knew that the players would take time to adapt to Rodgers style of play, but there were questions over the squads ability as a whole. Again players were scrutinised, Downing and Henderson the most, as were the owners belief that the club should focus on youth of today as opposed to the footballer past their prime. 
December led to more mixed performances. The Reds secured wins away against Udinese in the Europa league and versus West Ham in the Premier League, and thrashed Fulham 4-0 at home. But Liverpool were battered themselves by struggling Aston Villa at Anfield, before tasting Boxing Day misery in Stoke. Liverpool finished the calendar year in 9th, 8 points adrift from fourth place. However, things looked up. The Merseysiders recorded consecutive 3-0 wins either side of the New Year, and despite losing to arch rivals Manchester United, put up a fantastic 2nd half performance showing determination and fight, overshadowing the horrendous 45 minutes prior to the interval. Unfortunately this bittersweet feeling would be familiar to the Kops loyal. Liverpool were just unable to put a run of good performances together matched with good results. After again putting 5 past Norwich, Liverpool were humiliated by League 1 side Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup 4th round. A painful moment for fans, who questioned the right some players had to wear the famous shirt the supporters loved so dearly. Rodgers responded, signing Brazilian youngster Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan, joining Daniel Sturridge as the new recruits in the January transfer window. Sturridge had impressed against United and Norwich, and had given reason for the Anfield faithful to be optimistic once again. Trying to put the memories of Oldham behind them, Liverpool faced away trips to both Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League, just days between each other. The bittersweet taste would return, as in both games the Merseyside club led, and both times finished the game tied at 2-2. A point from each game away to a higher club is good on paper, but fans knew they came away from that week dropping 4 points from winning positions. And so to the present month. Under the floodlights of Anfield, Liverpool had 3 golden opportunities to take the lead against out of form West Brom. Shelvey was correctly denied by the linesmans flag, whilst Steven Gerrards efforts were twice rejected by West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster, firstly from point blank range before stopping the England captains penalty late in the game. These missed chances would cost Rodgers and his men. The Baggies came forward for a corner and punished Liverpool for being inaccurate, Gareth McAuley heading in before Romelu Lukaku scored a counter attack goal to wound Liverpool. Local phone-in interviews were packed with disgruntled fans, criticising everything they could think of that was wrong with their beloved club. It was a tough start to a big, busy week. Liverpool flew out to St Petersburg to face Russian side Zenit in the Europa League round of 32. The first of a 2 legged affair, and Reds fans will be glad its a not a single match. The game had a familiar feel, as the visitors missed chance after chance before the Russian side punished them, a brilliant shot by Hulk inspiring Zenit to a 2-0 victory. Liverpool flew home tired and dejected, knowing they still had a 3rd game of the week to play. A visit from Rodgers old club Swansea. An important game for the Northern Irishman, looking to show the world he chose the right club. Despite Swansea starting the game ahead of Liverpool in the table, it was the perfect opportunity for the Reds to bounce back. The Welsh side made 7 changes to their starting eleven in preparation for next weeks Capital One Cup Final, and they were punished for it. It was a fluent performance from the team in red, who dominated from start to finish, scoring 5 goals from their total of 33 shots to end a 5 game winless streak in all competitions. A positive end to a torrid week. So where do Liverpool lie now? Well most fans and pundits would say the dream of 4th place still is unreachable, as it has been, in their eyes, for most, if not all of the season. One man who disagrees with this is Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who believes the current 9-point gap can easily be overturned. Optimistic, ambitious, even mad, whatever you want to call it, Rodgers has his eyes set firmly on a Champions League spot. Yet so far this season the Reds havent been able to string together a long siege up the table, but instead have stumbled over hurdles time and time again. It takes time to adapt to a new style of play, but you need to have good enough players to do so. And even if Rodgers thinks they are capable of playing total football, he himself will know that if Liverpool dont fix their consistency issues, then next season they will not be hearing the words; Die Meister, Die Besten, Les grandes equips, The champions! on a weekday evening.