First of all, I would like to apologize for my prolonged absence from this blog (although some of you might be happy to get a break from my awful articles). Hirsch, Ben and Chengez have contributed so much to this blog, its been awesome. Sometimes I wonder if I've become as lazy of a Blogger as Ruben Amaro Jr. is a GM. While I have been away, there has been an awful lot of discussion about the NBA playoffs, NFL mock drafts, and all things basketball and football related and I would highly encourage you, the beloved reader, to check those articles out. Alright, time to get this post going.
To say that I have been ecstatic and getting carried away by Liverpool's season this year is an understatement. 3 more games to go, need 2 wins and a draw to win it all. (if Manchester City win all their remaining games). The goal that Liverpool had this season was to get into the top 4 and qualify for the Champions League. They have already exceeded that expectation and have sealed a berth in the group stages of the Champions League for the 2014-15 season. (Which has led Arsenal to now fight for a 4th place finish, surprise surprise). Pundits have been saying that it is "written in the stars" for Liverpool and Steven Gerrard to lift the Premier League trophy after a 24 year drought on the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster. While it would be the perfect tribute for those who lost their lives on that tragic day, and while it would be emotional for any Liverpool supporter to see Steven Gerrard lift the Premier League trophy, I still err caution and patience and not to get carried away so quickly simply based on how crazy and unpredictable results can be in the Premier League.
Last weekend, we witnessed Jose Mourinho's 77 home games unbeaten streak come to an end after Chelsea lost to a bottom of the league side in Sunderland. Fabio Borini, who was loaned out to Sunderland from Liverpool, scored the winning goal after Jozy Altidore won a penalty for Sunderland in the 80th minute. It was sheer joy if you were a red, and bitter disappointment if you were a blues fan. Liverpool went on to play Norwich the next day and squeaked out a 3-2 result away from home in a game that was nail biting till the very end. The man who made all the difference for Liverpool that day was Raheem Sterling, a product of Liverpool's youth academy who has shined this year for Liverpool FC. That has been the theme of Liverpool this season. Even when key players miss out on games (Sturridge with an hamstring injury and Jordan Henderson getting a Red Card), others step up to find winning ways. Brendan Rodgers is also a very versatile manager who is not afraid of changing his tactics for different matches. A great example of this would be against Norwich, where he decided to abandon his diamond pattern up front and go with 5 midfielders in order to boss the Midfield for the entire game with Suarez playing the lone man up front. But that allowed Sterling to deliver some brilliant passes to Suarez, one of them which did find the back of the net for Suarez's 30th goal of the campaign.
After Chelsea's defeat to Sunderland, the gap between them and Liverpool has increased to 5 points. People have been effectively writing them off with 3 more games to go in the season. It is understandable that Jose Mourinho has his sights on winning the UEFA Champions league now since their team is in the semi finals. The game they play against Liverpool is sandwiched between the first and second leg of the semi finals of the Champions league, and therefore, it could be the case that Chelsea will field a much weaker side against Liverpool this Sunday to rest some of their key players. Petr Cech is out with an injury, and John Terry is questionable for Sunday's match. From Liverpool's standpoint, they need to get 2 wins and 1 tie against Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Newcastle. If Liverpool lose 1 of their games and Manchester City win their remaining fixtures, they will be crowned champions based on goal difference. (Liverpool has a +52 goal difference, Manchester City have a +56 goal difference). Manchester City's remaining fixture list consists of playing against Crystal Palace, Everton, Aston Villa and West Ham. Its probably safe to now assume that the EPL has become a two horse race between Liverpool and Manchester City with Chelsea having the most difficult path.
3 Liverpool players have been nominated for the PFA Player of the year, and Suarez is the odds on favorite to win it. Brendan Rodgers is also the favorite to win the manager of the year award after taking a team that finished 7th last season with the same players into the UEFA Champions League. And Sterling looks to be a favorite to win the PFA young player of the year award as well. I won't prematurely start celebrating winning the Premiership till it is mathematically confirmed, but regardless of what happens in those last 3 games, there is no dispute that Liverpool have been the best side in the Premiership this year when it comes to entertainment and quality. In the words of Steven Gerrard after the 3-2 win against Manchester city, "This does not f****** slip now. We go again!"
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| Fabio Borini Scores against Chelsea |
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| Standings as of 4/25/2014 |
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| Steven Gerrard's Army |
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