It could hardly have been a happier Christmas for Liverpool and the fans.
Two first class performances against Bolton and Newcastle and at last, goals galore to celebrate as we go into New Year at the top of the league.
Now the business end of the season is here and things really start to shape up.
The pressure and expectation will mount from here on in but I’m confident we’ve got the manager and the team to handle it all.
Thankfully, those goalless draws at Anfield which have had everyone a bit worried have come in the first half of the season.
We’ve got away with those results because of other really good results against the likes of United, Chelsea and Everton – and also because the other top sides have been slipping up too.
But now at last Liverpool have turned on the style and it’s been a joy to see,
I thought it was a terrific performance against Bolton and then 48 hours later they gave Newcastle one hell of a hammering.
We all know it could easily have been six by half time, never mind five by full time.
But now when we’re missing chances or having shots saved, the lads are just shrugging off the disappointment and not letting the near misses upset their rhythm. It’s as if they know there’ll be more chances soon and the goals will come eventually. It’s great to see that confidence and style in the side now.
In the last two games Liverpool really have played like champions in waiting – they’ve passed the ball so well and been a real team. But there’s such a long way to go that you have to keep this level up week in, week out now.
I’ve heard the question asked as to what Liverpudlians now see as the priority – a Premier League title or a sixth European Cup.
Everyone knows how much the fans crave a 19th league title but at Anfield there can be no question about the answer. It has to be both.
As Sammy Lee so rightly keeps saying, it’s all about keeping feet on the ground and concentrating only on the next game, never mind the next trophy.
If you’re playing consistently well the successes usually take care of themselves in the end.
However, if you lose focus and start looking even one game ahead of the next, you’re asking for trouble.
But it’s clear we are at last starting to turn the screw.
And we’ve shown over Christmas that this Reds team is definitely good enough to go all the way.
Rafa rotated his side again after the Bolton win and while he inevitably raised some eyebrows, he’s come away proving to his doubters that he knows exactly what he’s doing.
You can moan and groan all you like and instinctively I am not a fan of rotation.
But Rafa has proved it can work much more than it fails – and you’ve got to give the boss enormous credit for that.
It seems to me the players are also getting used to it and accepting it as being in the best interests of the club and the hunt for trophies.
Eight goals and six points over the past few days shows the manager for all his recent illness, is right at the top of his game too.
Next up is Preston and I’m sure we’ll see even more changes for what will be an intriguing tie.
Of course whichever side is put out they will be expected to handle matters, but for me the FA Cup has lost some of its lustre.
When we were beaten a few seasons ago by Burnley there was real anger. When we lost to Barnsley last season it was dismay.
With the Reds hopefully in the hunt for the top honours at home and in Europe, sadly the FA Cup doesn’t seem quite as important as it once was.
Two first class performances against Bolton and Newcastle and at last, goals galore to celebrate as we go into New Year at the top of the league.
Now the business end of the season is here and things really start to shape up.
The pressure and expectation will mount from here on in but I’m confident we’ve got the manager and the team to handle it all.
Thankfully, those goalless draws at Anfield which have had everyone a bit worried have come in the first half of the season.
We’ve got away with those results because of other really good results against the likes of United, Chelsea and Everton – and also because the other top sides have been slipping up too.
But now at last Liverpool have turned on the style and it’s been a joy to see,
I thought it was a terrific performance against Bolton and then 48 hours later they gave Newcastle one hell of a hammering.
We all know it could easily have been six by half time, never mind five by full time.
But now when we’re missing chances or having shots saved, the lads are just shrugging off the disappointment and not letting the near misses upset their rhythm. It’s as if they know there’ll be more chances soon and the goals will come eventually. It’s great to see that confidence and style in the side now.
In the last two games Liverpool really have played like champions in waiting – they’ve passed the ball so well and been a real team. But there’s such a long way to go that you have to keep this level up week in, week out now.
I’ve heard the question asked as to what Liverpudlians now see as the priority – a Premier League title or a sixth European Cup.
Everyone knows how much the fans crave a 19th league title but at Anfield there can be no question about the answer. It has to be both.
As Sammy Lee so rightly keeps saying, it’s all about keeping feet on the ground and concentrating only on the next game, never mind the next trophy.
If you’re playing consistently well the successes usually take care of themselves in the end.
However, if you lose focus and start looking even one game ahead of the next, you’re asking for trouble.
But it’s clear we are at last starting to turn the screw.
And we’ve shown over Christmas that this Reds team is definitely good enough to go all the way.
Rafa rotated his side again after the Bolton win and while he inevitably raised some eyebrows, he’s come away proving to his doubters that he knows exactly what he’s doing.
You can moan and groan all you like and instinctively I am not a fan of rotation.
But Rafa has proved it can work much more than it fails – and you’ve got to give the boss enormous credit for that.
It seems to me the players are also getting used to it and accepting it as being in the best interests of the club and the hunt for trophies.
Eight goals and six points over the past few days shows the manager for all his recent illness, is right at the top of his game too.
Next up is Preston and I’m sure we’ll see even more changes for what will be an intriguing tie.
Of course whichever side is put out they will be expected to handle matters, but for me the FA Cup has lost some of its lustre.
When we were beaten a few seasons ago by Burnley there was real anger. When we lost to Barnsley last season it was dismay.
With the Reds hopefully in the hunt for the top honours at home and in Europe, sadly the FA Cup doesn’t seem quite as important as it once was.
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