Pool Aftermath

Though it hurts to speak about my favourite team after they get shot down 3-0 by the Gunners, it is nice to know that they are not throwing in the towel yet.

The Reds have been misquoted. The new reports come out that Carra and Reina said that 4th place is the target. While I went on to read the full quotes, Carra actually said "We had big ambitions at the start of the season, which is only right at a club like Liverpool, but we also know it's important to make sure we're in the top four as soon as possible, and then we can start thinking about what's above us."

He is not conceding that fourth is the target, it is just the target for now before they can go even higher. Makes perfect sense if you ask me.

I also read Arsene Wenger and Theirry Henry's comments about backing Liverpool. It seems that 14 points from Chelsea and Manchester United are not too far away. They have mentioned that Liverpool have played poorly away, losing five out of six. That was only because Liverpool have played Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal away. They are arguably the other of the big 4 teams in the EPL. Not that that is an excuse to falter, but it's more undersandable. The other two games which they lost were at Bolton, who we know are very commited, physical and strong especially at home; and Everton, when (Merseyside) derbies can go either way.

I personally think that they got the 5 most difficult away games of the season out of the way already. It is now when you see an upturn in form. Of course there are other difficult away games such as Tottenham, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and maybe even Man City, but they would be arguably much easier games than Chelsea or Manchester United.

I am only addressing the away games because the Reds seem fine at home. They beat a previously unbeaten Aston Villa rather convincingly. They can thrash teams at home, be it in the EPL or Champions League, 2-0, 3-0 and so on. Some might not consider it a thrashing when you restrict your opponents to so few chances they can't score and score two or three past them. Well then, stop saying Liverpool got thrashed by Arsenal then.

I believe Liverpool have the right players to turn their season around, especially after most of the tough fixtures are already out of the way. Finishing first does not look a likly outcome having lost to the big teams already, but Riise quoted some interested statistics. At one point last season, Liverpool were 27 points behind Chelsea, in May, they were only 9 points.

If they can make up the 18-point gap then, why not the 14 point gap now?