For a club so often lampooned for its consistent references to their history, Liverpool have enjoyed and endured one of the strangest twelve months in their whole existence. Their violent and spectacular fall (or slip) from grace is difficult to put in to words, but is perhaps aptly summed up by the below comparison:
16th March, 2014 – Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool.
14th December, 2014 – Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool.
On that overcast, spring day, two things seemed to be confirmed: That Liverpool were finally back where they belonged; that the persistent (and often-mocked) claims that ‘this is their year’ were not going to be disproved. It also seemed to suggest that United were in a hole they would struggle to climb out of. Those ‘truths’ now look as inaccurate as Mario Balotelli’s shooting or a Dejan Lovren clearance.
It would not be surprising if we learnt that, nine months later, the birth rate on Merseyside has recently enjoyed a small increase. However, those newborns are now being introduced to a footballing landscape totally different to the one that brought about their conception.
Liverpool, buoyed by their stunning victory at the home of their greatest rivals, won their next six games to give them a three-point lead with just three games to play. However, ninety minutes, ‘two London buses’ (according to Brendan Rodgers) and one crucial slip later, everything began to unravel. Their destiny – a word which had been used regularly during Liverpool’s stunning 11-game winning streak – was suddenly out of their hands.
It is easy to say in hindsight, but had Liverpool simply mirrored Chelsea’s defensive tactics and played for the draw which the Blues seemed content to claim, their fate would still be in their hands with two games to play. It would be the first of many ‘what ifs’ as Steven Gerrard, such a talismanic figure in Liverpool’s surge in form, suffered a cruel slip which ultimately cost the Reds the title.
The ambition and effervescence which had seen them climb so high ended up costing them dearly, as evidenced by a spectacular draw at Crystal Palace. Liverpool were unable to recover from that, and unable to temper their desire to attack with the requirement to defend.
Over the summer, Liverpool would lose the inspirational but often incendiary Luis Suarez to Barcelona – a sale which has proved to be a big mistake. Like the rubbish Christmas gift you desperately try to find the receipt for, Liverpool have been left ruing a crucial transaction.
Speaking of dodgy purchases, the Reds spent the Suarez money on new recruits who have been unable to hit the ground running…or even walking. A whole new team was bought, and Liverpool are playing like a whole new team; unrecognisable from the free, ambitious side which took the league by storm in the first half of 2014.
Mario Balotelli was meant to be the Suarez replacement but, instead of replicating the Uruguayan’s awesome goal tally, he has only recreated the striker’s penchant for controversy. Rodgers got the best out of one mercurial striker, his job may rest on doing the same with the Italian.
And it is those job prospects which were gleefully sung about by baying United fans yesterday. It was only nine months ago that Liverpool were mocking then-United boss David Moyes. The footballing wheel of fortune has turned full circle. Yesterday’s scoreline was harsh on Liverpool, with the team still capable of creating chances, but they are now tenth in the league, eighteen points behind the league leaders. That is difficult to explain as mere ‘bad luck’.
If anyone can turn Liverpool’s season around, it is Rodgers. But he hasn’t got much time to do so. As we have seen, time is fickle, and waits for no man.
Liverpool face a crucial couple of games this week, with a trip to Bournemouth before a crunch Premier League match against Arsenal. You can catch both with a NOW TV Sky Sports Week Pass.
