Return of the Reds

By Jonathan Gault

For Liverpool Football Club, the last 20 years have been a disappointment. There have been trophies – two FA Cups, a UEFA Cup and, most famously, the 2005 Champions League – but the club’s recent accomplishments pale in comparison to the Reds’ run of dominance in the 1970s and 1980s. From 1973-1991, Liverpool won 11 English league championships and finished lower than second just once. In the 22 seasons since then, the Reds have won 0 English league championships; only twice have they finished higher than third. The past four seasons have been particularly bleak for a club as big as Liverpool: they’ve finished 7th, 6th, 8th and 7th in that span.   

Photo Courtesy of Dailypost.co.uk

The 2013-14 Premier League season is still young, but if the first nine games are any indication, things are getting brighter on Merseyside. Manager Brendan Rodgers has reshaped the squad in his image, bringing in players such as Philippe Coutinho, Simon Mignolet and Mamadou Sakho. Mignolet has been massive since coming over from Sunderland, saving a penalty to preserve an opening-day win over Stoke and allowing just eight goals in nine games.

But the biggest signing has been forward Daniel Sturridge, who has combined with Luis Suarez to form the Premier League’s top duo up front. Since joining Liverpool in January, Sturridge has made 27 appearances for the club and scored 21 times. Sturridge’s speed and finishing ability make for a deadly combination, and he currently leads the Premier League scoring charts with eight goals on the season. Suarez is close behind with six, which is even more impressive when you consider that he missed the club’s first five games after his suspension for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

There was no better illustration of Sturridge and Suarez’ importance than Liverpool’s 4-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Suarez got the scoring started in the 12th minute by beating two West Brom defenders and firing past Boaz Myhill. He doubled Liverpool’s lead five minutes later with a brilliant long range header from the edge of the box and got his hat-trick with another header off a free kick in the 55th minute. In the 77th minute, Sturridge provided a fitting cap to a dominating performance with one of the best goals of the season, an inch-perfect left-footed chip from the edge of the box after beating a West Brom defender.

Of course Rodgers and the rest of the squad deserve some credit for Liverpool’s hot start, which has them third with 20 points, just two behind leaders Arsenal. But it’s been the play of Sturridge and Suarez that has rejuvenated the Liverpool attack – they’re third in the league in goals scored, which, if it holds, would be their highest finish since 2008-09. Sturridge now looks to have the inside track to start alongside Wayne Rooney for England at the World Cup next summer, and if he can help Liverpool return to the Champions League with a top-four finish, it will be hard for Roy Hodgson to pass him up.

The Reds may fade over time, but sports often tend to go in cycles – just ask Manchester United. Liverpool’s start doesn’t look like a fluke, and Rodgers’ transfer moves and tactical knowledge seem to suggest that he will be the man to lead Liverpool for the next several years. Perhaps 2013-14 will go down as the year that marked the beginning of the Reds’ return to glory. Or perhaps not. Next week’s visit to league-leading Arsenal will be telling.