Liverpool Enjoy Dream Start To New Campaign
Just what every Premier League team wanted – three wins out of three and yet to concede a goal. Brendan Rodgers’ men are top of the league, surely not for long, but still… a fairly unexpected hat-trick of goals for Daniel Sturridge against Stoke, Aston Villa and yesterday against Manchester United is sure to have proved his doubters that he’s the real deal. And all this without Luis Suarez, who is still serving his suspension for chomping at Branislav Ivanovic in April. Could Liverpool stake a claim for a top four spot this season? Certainly food for thought the red half of Merseyside!
Not only has Anfield seen three victories in less than a month (including a hard fought 4-2 win vs Notts County) but Everton are yet to win a league game under new boss Roberto Martinez. Looking back at Liverpool’s start to this season, they could easily be sitting mid table and winless just like the Toffees, who unlike them have only lead for a mere 6 minutes in their opening few games. The luxury of sitting back and playing counter attacking football hasn’t exactly been available to Martinez, whereas Rodgers’ side have benefited from that approach many a time after taking the lead.
The apparent keep-ball and passing culture wasn’t seen too often by Liverpool yesterday afternoon as United completed over 100 more passes and 28 more than their North West rivals in the final 3rd. This kind of dominance (not to mention the 43%-57% possession stats in favour of those from Old Trafford) would have been of a rarity for Sir Alex on his visits to Anfield.
Early doors still, but I expect Liverpool to finish 6th and for what it’s worth (a lot) miles ahead of their city counterparts.
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