Disregard last week’s FA Cup horror show at Oldham, and things have been looking brighter lately for Liverpool Football Club. Exciting new signings have been made during the January transfer window, and league-wise, there has been a marked improvement in our performances. However, despite Brendan Rodgers’ side starting to do what Kenny Dalglish’s couldn’t and make short work of the so-called ‘lesser’ teams, we’re yet to pull off a really big, memorable result under his management. The type of result that would send a statement to our competitors and signal our intentions for the remainder of the season.
In fact, as things stand we are still yet to beat any of the teams above us in the league. Wednesday very nearly saw that run come to an end if not for a spirited Arsenal comeback, but on Sunday we have another chance in a crunch clash away to title challengers Manchester City. Both teams need the points for different reasons, and in the first match of City’s post-Balotelli era, the reds will be looking for a win to open up an even bigger gap between their opponents and leaders Man Utd. Kick-off in the Etihad is set for 16:00 GMT.
The pre-match talk has been largely dominated by the news of Mario Balotelli’s departure to Milan, but in truth, the Italian striker made little to no impact in the games he played this season. Stats show that the citizens have been far from the rampant attacking force they were a year ago, and can expect heavy scrutiny in that department on Sunday given the timely departure of the media’s favourite son.
From our perspective though, the spotlight will be firmly fixated on another former City striker in Daniel Sturridge, who will feel he has a point to prove to his former employers despite insisting he ‘holds no grudges’ when speaking earlier in the week.
“For myself, I don’t want to worry about what anyone says,” he told the press. “I had some great friendships there, so I’d like to thank them for bringing me to where I am today – the Academy people at City were fantastic.”
“I don’t think I had an opportunity to show what I could do at City, but I’m delighted with how everything went there and at Chelsea. Hopefully now I’ve found the club I can settle at and stay with for many years to come.”
The 23 year-old has gotten his Liverpool career off to a flyer so far, and is already complimenting superstar striker partner Luis Suárez impressively in attack.
“It’s early days but the signs are that we’re playing well together, I’m sure that will continue,” he said. “There’s a lot more to come from me, I’ve been performing okay but this is a fraction of what I’m actually able to do.”
Hopefully I’ll be able to show what I’m really capable of doing in the months and years to come, when I’m playing week in, week out and I’m fully fit.
Sturridge wasn’t the only arrival last month though, with Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho also completing his move from Inter last Wednesday. However, the youngster is not in contention for the trip and will start training with his new teammates this week. Martin Kelly and Jon Flanagan remain our only long-term absentees, but Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson and José Enrique, all of whom returned from injury at Arsenal, are likely to keep their places.
For City, captain Vincent Kompany still faces another few weeks on the sidelines, but his understudy Matija Nastasić is set to return and take his place in the line-up. Javi García had to start at centre-back in their 0-0 draw at QPR in midweek, but should now move forward into the ‘Yaya Touré role’ in midfield, the Ivorian still away at the African Cup of Nations along with brother Kolo. Micah Richards and Maicon are their only other real injury doubts, but the latter is said to be close to a return.
Last season we were well beaten at the Etihad with the home side running out 3-0 winners just after new year, but nonetheless, recent meetings go largely in our favour despite the extravagant change in fortune, both on and off the pitch, for Roberto Mancini’s men. Not long after that league game we knocked them out of the Carling Cup on the way to triumphing at Wembley, and they have only got the better of us twice in the last 17 matches between the sides.
After yesterday’s results we sit four points behind Arsenal and five behind neighbours Everton, who fought back to salvage a draw at home to Aston Villa yesterday. Fourth remains a distant dream for now, but we do have a generous run of domestic fixtures before hosting Tottenham, the current incumbent of the final Champions League place, at Anfield in just over a month’s time. Sunday’s game will provide a great opportunity for us to show our pedigree when it comes to European qualification.
