Important Win For Reds, but Not an Easy One

At this stage of the season, it is crucial for Liverpool to reach their best form, that form that can see them brush aside Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Manchester United. Liverpool, if they are to win the title, cannot underestimate any team. They need to be sharp and dominant throughout the ninety when playing both the small teams and the big. And, in truth, they need to be better than they were against Sunderland, at least then they were in the last fifteen minutes.

Lessons can be learned from those final fifteen or twenty minutes. One lesson certainly is to never turn off during matches even when in a good position. At 2-0 up, Liverpool did seek a third, but as time went on, seemed content with 2-0, and this is what allowed Sunderland a way back into the match, and allowed them their goal. Even against (or especially against!) relegation threatened teams, at this stage of the season, no matter what the score is, Liverpool have to retain their focus throughout the ninety minutes, or they will be punished for it. Sunderland's goal had been coming. Shortly before the goal, they hit the post. Liverpool should have heeded his as a waring sign, and picked up their game to the level it was at before. They didn't, and a few minutes later the ball was in the back of Mignolet's net. Things got tense after that as Sunderland pushed for an equalizer and the Reds, shaky as they were, held out. Liverpool simply cannot afford to turn off at any point in the remaining fixtures. They were almost punished for it against Sunderland, and not to mention, Tottenham who visit on Sunday, has a lot more quality in their team than Sunderland.

However, there were certainly many positives from this match. The first being, although Sunderland were tough to break down in the final third, Liverpool had bossed the tempo of the match. Every time Sunderland cleared the ball, Liverpool would have the ball right outside Sunderland's box again thirty seconds later (maximum!). Secondly, Liverpool showed that they can, as a worthy title winner could,  overcome a struggle. They could not create any clear openings, but when that free kick was awarded, Gerrard brilliantly curled it in which shows that they have the mentality and the quality to overcome difficulties. The third positive was until around the 70th minute, Agger and Skrtel were hardly troubled, let alone Mignolet. Liverpool had held the ball and sought a third even when 2-0 up.

It is about time Liverpool play to their full potential for every match here on out and now would be a great time (if not the best time) to do so. Especially with two title contenders visiting in less than a month from now. Liverpool has a five point lead against Arsenal who has tough games against Everton and City coming up. Liverpool has easier fixtures at home to Tottenham on Sunday and away to West Ham. If Arsenal slip in those two games, and if Liverpool can win their next two, that would strengthen Liverpool's grip on third. And with City and Chelsea coming up, Liverpool, will obviously need to be at their best if they are to win those games, which could see them go on and win the title.

In someways, I worry more about Liverpool's trips to Norwich and West Ham, then I do their matches against City and Chelsea. Liverpool seem to love to play the big guns and have had an easier time against them than the smaller teams. Look at the mid-January and early February period. Liverpool struggled at home to Aston Villa, but were untroubled against Everton only a week later. The Reds struggled against West Brom, yet scored goals for fun against Arsenal. See a pattern emerging? Liverpool would be wise to treat their presumably easier opponents like title contenders, because the matches against the teams on the lower half of the table are starting to become more  uncomfortable then they should be.