Patience is key
It doesn't take a genius to see that Liverpool's season hasn't got off to the best of starts, 11 points from ten games is hardly title winning form and the performance against Swansea in the League Cup defeat at Anfield isn't even worth contemplating. However, in my opinion, all the signs for long-term success are there. The future is exceedingly bright but the present set-up doesn't look bad either. Steven Gerrard is still at the top of his game and recently celebrated his 600th Liverpool appearance against Newcastle. Luis Suarez is now in his third season with Liverpool and has already scored 10 goals this term, seven less than he managed in the whole of last season. Added to that, the defensive partnership of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger is as good as any in the Premier League and there is certainly a quality, experienced spine to the team.
As for the youngsters, Raheem Sterling, without a doubt, looks to be Liverpool's best prospect. The 17-year-old was thrown into the starting line-up against Manchester City in August and hasn't looked back since, providing several impressive performances, including scoring his first senior goal in Liverpool's home victory over Reading. He has also received two senior England team call-ups which is testament to how far Sterling has progressed from not being involved in the first game of the season to being a first-team regular.
Other youngsters who have broken through this season include the mercurial Spaniard Jesus Fernandez Saez, otherwise known as Suso. The young midfielder joined the Reds three years ago, shunning Real Madrid by doing so. He has since earned his very first Spain U21 call-up following several excellent performances. Another youngster who has made fantastic strides this season is Andre Wisdom. The English U21 international made his debut in the Europa League game away to Young Boys of Bern, a debut which included a fantastic headed goal. Since his debut, Wisdom has started every Premier League game. Others such as Jack Robinson, Jon Flanagan and Jerome Sinclair, who at 16 years and six days became Liverpool's youngest ever player against West Brom in the League Cup, have made appearances as Rodgers emphasises the use of youth at the start of his reign.
One of the games that has given me the biggest sense of anticipation for the future at Liverpool is the game in Switzerland in Young Boys of Bern which Liverpool won 5-3. In my opinion, it was Liverpool's best performance of the season, which is rather strange considering that they conceded 3 rather sloppy goals, but every player came out of the game with a certain amount of credit. Wisdom scored with a Sami Hyypia-like header on what was a solid, measured debut for the 19-year old. Suso also had an excellent debut controlling the midfield with his stunning ball control and range of passing.
Slightly older at the age of 24 was Oussama Assaidi who, like Wisdom and Suso, was making his Reds bow and provided an outlet that the Reds haven't had for a few years - a player who is consistently willing to run at defenders and get a ball into the box. As well as these players, a man who certainly made his point that he wants to stick around during the Rodgers regime was Jonjo Shelvey. The 20-year old, like many other signing, has blown hot and cold throughout his Liverpool career to date but this was certainly one of his best games in a Red jersey. With the scores tied at 3-3, Rodgers unleashed the former Charlton Athletic youngster and Shelvey delivered with two well-taken goals, the second being a thunderous left-footed strike from 20 yards. Rodgers has since seen fit to use Shelvey as a vital part of the Liverpool squad, although a controversial red card against Manchester United halted his run in the Premier League side. Shelvey was restored against Udinese, scoring in a 3-2 defeat.
In the league, Liverpool only have two wins from the first 10 games, however this is incredibly unjust considering some of the performances that the Reds have put in. The opening game of the season, away to West Brom, was quite a shock for all Liverpudlians.
After a summer of such hype and anticipation, the Reds were blitzed 3-0 courtesy of goals from Zoltan Gera, Peter Odemwingie and Romelu Lukaku. Then came the first home league game of the Brendan Rodgers era, against defending champions Manchester City. Liverpool twice had the lead with stunning goals from Martin Skrtel and Luis Suarez, only to see two explicit defending errors cost them dearly as the match ended 2-2. The match followed the general trend of last season, the Reds creating chances but being cruelly punished for simple defensive mistakes.
This was certainly the case three weeks later as the Reds had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Sunderland despite controlling the game and limiting Sunderland to one shot on target. Finally, Rodgers first league triumph came at the sixth attempt with a 5-2 thrashing of Norwich at Carrow Road, and if you believe in superstitions, Bill Shankly's first Liverpool win arrived in his sixth game as well. Liverpool had been threatening to run riot all season and Norwich were on the receiving end of a second Luis Suarez hat-trick in two games at Carrow Road. Steven Gerrard and Nuri Sahin completed the rout.
However, negatives from the game were that the Reds conceded two very avoidable goals after yet more individual mistakes, possibly down to a lapse in concentration after being in such an unusually comfortable position. After a dull goalless draw at home to Stoke, Liverpool finally secured their first league win of the season at Anfield, thanks to Sterling's first senior goal. A very controversial Merseyside Derby was to follow. After Liverpool had surrendered a two goal lead, in stoppage time, unconfined joy turned to unbelievable injustice as Luis Suarez's perfectly legitimate goal was ruled out for 'offside'. Replays showed just how wrong the Referee's Assistant was.
Another major talking point concerning Rodger's team is the goalkeeping situation. Pepe Reina has been a rock in the Reds goal for the vast majority of his time at Liverpool but, throughout last season and the beginning of this, mistakes have crept into his game. He was at fault for the first goal in the FA Cup final and his two clangers against Hearts and Arsenal in the early months of the season have shed further doubt on his position. Brad Jones has been between the sticks during Reina's recent injury lay-off and the Australian hasn't done an awful lot wrong. Clean sheets against Reading and Anzhi have strengthened his claims and I believe he should be Liverpool's number one keeper for the foreseeable future.
Liverpool's league position is far from ideal. Let's not forget that less than five years ago, they were 4 points away from winning the title, but there is no doubt that if they continue to perform as they have been, at times creating chances at will, Liverpool will certainly get their rewards more often than not.
By Chris Coughlin (@chriscoughlin95)
As for the youngsters, Raheem Sterling, without a doubt, looks to be Liverpool's best prospect. The 17-year-old was thrown into the starting line-up against Manchester City in August and hasn't looked back since, providing several impressive performances, including scoring his first senior goal in Liverpool's home victory over Reading. He has also received two senior England team call-ups which is testament to how far Sterling has progressed from not being involved in the first game of the season to being a first-team regular.
Other youngsters who have broken through this season include the mercurial Spaniard Jesus Fernandez Saez, otherwise known as Suso. The young midfielder joined the Reds three years ago, shunning Real Madrid by doing so. He has since earned his very first Spain U21 call-up following several excellent performances. Another youngster who has made fantastic strides this season is Andre Wisdom. The English U21 international made his debut in the Europa League game away to Young Boys of Bern, a debut which included a fantastic headed goal. Since his debut, Wisdom has started every Premier League game. Others such as Jack Robinson, Jon Flanagan and Jerome Sinclair, who at 16 years and six days became Liverpool's youngest ever player against West Brom in the League Cup, have made appearances as Rodgers emphasises the use of youth at the start of his reign.
One of the games that has given me the biggest sense of anticipation for the future at Liverpool is the game in Switzerland in Young Boys of Bern which Liverpool won 5-3. In my opinion, it was Liverpool's best performance of the season, which is rather strange considering that they conceded 3 rather sloppy goals, but every player came out of the game with a certain amount of credit. Wisdom scored with a Sami Hyypia-like header on what was a solid, measured debut for the 19-year old. Suso also had an excellent debut controlling the midfield with his stunning ball control and range of passing.
Slightly older at the age of 24 was Oussama Assaidi who, like Wisdom and Suso, was making his Reds bow and provided an outlet that the Reds haven't had for a few years - a player who is consistently willing to run at defenders and get a ball into the box. As well as these players, a man who certainly made his point that he wants to stick around during the Rodgers regime was Jonjo Shelvey. The 20-year old, like many other signing, has blown hot and cold throughout his Liverpool career to date but this was certainly one of his best games in a Red jersey. With the scores tied at 3-3, Rodgers unleashed the former Charlton Athletic youngster and Shelvey delivered with two well-taken goals, the second being a thunderous left-footed strike from 20 yards. Rodgers has since seen fit to use Shelvey as a vital part of the Liverpool squad, although a controversial red card against Manchester United halted his run in the Premier League side. Shelvey was restored against Udinese, scoring in a 3-2 defeat.
In the league, Liverpool only have two wins from the first 10 games, however this is incredibly unjust considering some of the performances that the Reds have put in. The opening game of the season, away to West Brom, was quite a shock for all Liverpudlians.
After a summer of such hype and anticipation, the Reds were blitzed 3-0 courtesy of goals from Zoltan Gera, Peter Odemwingie and Romelu Lukaku. Then came the first home league game of the Brendan Rodgers era, against defending champions Manchester City. Liverpool twice had the lead with stunning goals from Martin Skrtel and Luis Suarez, only to see two explicit defending errors cost them dearly as the match ended 2-2. The match followed the general trend of last season, the Reds creating chances but being cruelly punished for simple defensive mistakes.
This was certainly the case three weeks later as the Reds had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Sunderland despite controlling the game and limiting Sunderland to one shot on target. Finally, Rodgers first league triumph came at the sixth attempt with a 5-2 thrashing of Norwich at Carrow Road, and if you believe in superstitions, Bill Shankly's first Liverpool win arrived in his sixth game as well. Liverpool had been threatening to run riot all season and Norwich were on the receiving end of a second Luis Suarez hat-trick in two games at Carrow Road. Steven Gerrard and Nuri Sahin completed the rout.
However, negatives from the game were that the Reds conceded two very avoidable goals after yet more individual mistakes, possibly down to a lapse in concentration after being in such an unusually comfortable position. After a dull goalless draw at home to Stoke, Liverpool finally secured their first league win of the season at Anfield, thanks to Sterling's first senior goal. A very controversial Merseyside Derby was to follow. After Liverpool had surrendered a two goal lead, in stoppage time, unconfined joy turned to unbelievable injustice as Luis Suarez's perfectly legitimate goal was ruled out for 'offside'. Replays showed just how wrong the Referee's Assistant was.
Another major talking point concerning Rodger's team is the goalkeeping situation. Pepe Reina has been a rock in the Reds goal for the vast majority of his time at Liverpool but, throughout last season and the beginning of this, mistakes have crept into his game. He was at fault for the first goal in the FA Cup final and his two clangers against Hearts and Arsenal in the early months of the season have shed further doubt on his position. Brad Jones has been between the sticks during Reina's recent injury lay-off and the Australian hasn't done an awful lot wrong. Clean sheets against Reading and Anzhi have strengthened his claims and I believe he should be Liverpool's number one keeper for the foreseeable future.
Liverpool's league position is far from ideal. Let's not forget that less than five years ago, they were 4 points away from winning the title, but there is no doubt that if they continue to perform as they have been, at times creating chances at will, Liverpool will certainly get their rewards more often than not.
By Chris Coughlin (@chriscoughlin95)