Friday, April 18, 2014

Coutinho Puts Liverpool Within Touching Distance Of the Title

  The fans dreamed, than they believed, and now they expect a premier league trophy to come to Anfield. With the Reds now 6 points clear (although City have a game in hand), they are in control. The Reds won when it mattered most, and now they can afford to draw with Chelsea (but of course, they should play to win) and win their three other matches, cap an already incredible season, with a title.

Against Manchester City, Liverpool got off to a trademark start at Anfield, with a goal just inside five minutes. Skrtel made it two. It looked as if City would go down the way Arsenal and Everton did, especially with Liverpool missing chances both at the end of the first half (which City ended strongly), and at the beginning of the second half. During the early and middle stages of the second half, Liverpool turned off. Milner's introduction ignited City and Milner assisted Silva for City's first, and than they were right back in it. Liverpool could not withstand wave after wave of City pressure, and Silva's cross then took two deflections and was in the back of the net. Silva almost silenced an originally roaring crowd, but barely missed Aguero's cross.

Here it looked like luck ran out for Liverpool. A two goal lead gone and City's second goal taking two deflections on it's way into the back of the net. To make matters worse for the Reds as Sturridge walked off injured, Aguero came on. With Manchester City looking far the better side, it may have seemed like the Liverpool fans were going to be punished for daring to dream for a premier league title.

After Silva's miss, Liverpool once more were reignited. They did not play at the pace of which they did at the first half, but they piled pressure on City and Suarez's disallowed goal was a sign that the tide was turning back in Liverpool's way. They were all of a sudden looking much more dangerous, and although it was an error from Kompany that allowed Liverpool a way through, Coutinho's finish was, without doubt, superb. Am excellent winner of a great game of football, between two teams with incredible attacking talent.

Liverpool showed in this game that they can bounce back and win when it matters most, as any title contender can. Not only was this a match for the title, but the need to win was without doubt magnified due to this match being two days away from the anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. Liverpool put on the show in the first half, and although they were looking tired out in the second half, although they had given up a two goal lead, their determination drove them to search for a winner. It was an incredible response just when Liverpool's title challenge looked to have ended. The emotion multiplied by the final whistle and Gerrard was in tears.

Liverpool's number ten, scored the goal to give Liverpool ten wins in a row, but possibly something much, much more. That however, will be down to Liverpool. Four games remain, including one against Chelsea, which due to City's draw against Sunderland, will now be the match for the title. If Liverpool can win their other three fixtures, than only a draw against Chelsea would do. However, playing for a draw is a dangerous gamble, and although Liverpool will play to win, they cannot afford to turn off at any point during this match. Liverpool win that match and the title should be sealed.

That match however, is after a game against Norwich, a game which should not be overlooked. With four games left and a title at stake, every game is equally important, whether against fellow title contenders or relegation contenders. After all, their title challenge could be over if they lose to Norwich, who are in dire need to win to avoid relegation. At this stage, the margin of victory does not matter, all that does is three points. Liverpool (and Suarez himself) have a great record scoring against Norwich, but they know that the three points up for grabs are worth a lot more than any other point collected against Norwich in the past.


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