If they don’t win it this Season they will definitely win it next......

Sunday 4th October 2009 Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool

Much has been made, in just over 24 hours, of the Kop’s defeat by Chelsea, alot of damning reports suggesting that they are a team in decline missing a spark. As a Manchester United fan I should not be writing this, but it makes sense and is 100% true. Liverpool are improving. FACT.

While it IS true that they miss Xabi Alonso, this only seems to be the case for the ‘Big Four’ matches, before the Chelsea match they had scored 20 goals in the 5 games they had won, the media say that all those teams were bottom half teams and meaningless, but I disagree, the reason they failed to win the Premiership last season is because they dropped points to the said bottom half teams.

What we are seeing is Rafa Benitez trying to bring balance to his team. In the games they have won Liverpool haven’t once looked like a team missing Xabi Alonso, and it might be fair to add, that only lat week Chelsea lost 3-1 to Wigan and Manchester United have drawn with Sunderland and lost to Burnley. Winning the Premiership these days is more about the teams performances against ‘lesser’ opponents and thus far Liverpool have done well against those opponents but have had their lack of fluidity in the transition from midfield to attack exposed by Aston Villa, Tottenham and Chelsea.

Last season their emphasis was on tightening their defence and making home a fortress while attacking with malice and they did it well, there were times when, I admit, it seemed they were destined to win, but then Rafa cracked like an hard boiled egg, so did the team.

This season seems to be about addressing last seasons shortcomings for Liverpool and they are doing it well but are not performing against the Top 8 teams, I expect that to change soon enough.

So eight games in, 5 wins, 3 losses, 6 points behind can they turn it around, hell yes, it is not even the Christmas period yet, traditionally one of the most hectic in the fixture schedule, oh and let’s not forget, Chelsea will be without Drogba, Essien, Mikel and Kalou in that period due to African Nations Cup, so alot can happen between now and the end of the season. Manchester United are not looking too strong either, grinding out results week after week.

The two teams in the premiership who have lost arguably their most effective players to the same team, are the same two teams who are currently trying to paper the cracks, but I am certain that they will be right up there trading blows. Who knows, Aquilaini maybe the answer to Liverpool’s lack of fluidity. In Manchester United’s case the team may become well-rounded with Ronaldo’s departure, or not.

This season, Liverpool will improve despite their shaky start, I don’t mind that, as long as they finish 2nd.