Goal-hungry Liverpool are on course for their most prolific season since they were last crowned champions in 1990.
And former Anfield hero Steve McManaman believes that if this season’s title push falls short, the new, adventurous attitude can push Liverpool all the way to the Premier League crown next season.
Rafael Benitez’s side have already scored 66 times in Premier League action this season, just one short of last season’s total with four games still to play.
Their highest goals output since the title-winning days was 72 in 1996, when McManaman was still an Anfield regular.
And McManaman said: “They are by far the best team around at present. They are certainly playing the best football. They may not be getting the best results, but they are certainly the best team around. Normally you say it’s United who are the most creative team around, but it’s not, it’s Liverpool at the minute. It’s just unfortunate they’ve let in a few goals.
“I fancied them to win the title this year but certain things didn’t go their way.
“They finished last season strongly as well, but this year they look a different team.
“The so-called lesser players, the Benayouns the Rieras, something has happened over the past four or five games and they seem to have clicked.
“They are all closing the ball down, they are all aggressive and they are not giving anybody space to pass the ball.
“I think that’s what’s really clicked this year and if they can take that through to next season – and of course add that little bit of quality to their squad – they can certainly challenge strongly for the title.
“Rafa knows what players he can let go and what positions he needs to strengthen.
“But I am really impressed with the way they’re playing at the moment. I really am.
“I think they’re playing really, really well. It’s the best I’ve seen them play in a while, regardless of the results.”
The only occasions Liverpool have topped 70 league goals for a season since their title winning days of the early 90s was 2001 and 1996, when they scored 71 and 72 respectively.
But with fixtures remaining against Newcastle, West Ham, West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham – and a staggering 30 goals in their last nine matches – the Anfield outfit are well placed to top that figure.
“I just think the way they have set about games has really impressed me,” added McManaman. “They set about games more so than we did in those 4-3 games with Newcastle.
“They have started games really, really quickly and been very aggressive. They are closing people down like I have never seen all year.
“They steam-rollered Arsenal the way they set about them – I know Arshavin scored four great goals but they were largely due to Liverpool mistakes – and I thought Liverpool were excellent again.”
And former Anfield hero Steve McManaman believes that if this season’s title push falls short, the new, adventurous attitude can push Liverpool all the way to the Premier League crown next season.
Rafael Benitez’s side have already scored 66 times in Premier League action this season, just one short of last season’s total with four games still to play.
Their highest goals output since the title-winning days was 72 in 1996, when McManaman was still an Anfield regular.
And McManaman said: “They are by far the best team around at present. They are certainly playing the best football. They may not be getting the best results, but they are certainly the best team around. Normally you say it’s United who are the most creative team around, but it’s not, it’s Liverpool at the minute. It’s just unfortunate they’ve let in a few goals.
“I fancied them to win the title this year but certain things didn’t go their way.
“They finished last season strongly as well, but this year they look a different team.
“The so-called lesser players, the Benayouns the Rieras, something has happened over the past four or five games and they seem to have clicked.
“They are all closing the ball down, they are all aggressive and they are not giving anybody space to pass the ball.
“I think that’s what’s really clicked this year and if they can take that through to next season – and of course add that little bit of quality to their squad – they can certainly challenge strongly for the title.
“Rafa knows what players he can let go and what positions he needs to strengthen.
“But I am really impressed with the way they’re playing at the moment. I really am.
“I think they’re playing really, really well. It’s the best I’ve seen them play in a while, regardless of the results.”
The only occasions Liverpool have topped 70 league goals for a season since their title winning days of the early 90s was 2001 and 1996, when they scored 71 and 72 respectively.
But with fixtures remaining against Newcastle, West Ham, West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham – and a staggering 30 goals in their last nine matches – the Anfield outfit are well placed to top that figure.
“I just think the way they have set about games has really impressed me,” added McManaman. “They set about games more so than we did in those 4-3 games with Newcastle.
“They have started games really, really quickly and been very aggressive. They are closing people down like I have never seen all year.
“They steam-rollered Arsenal the way they set about them – I know Arshavin scored four great goals but they were largely due to Liverpool mistakes – and I thought Liverpool were excellent again.”
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