How fitting is it that the 20th post on my blog is probably one of the most important. Many are billing it as the most important game of the season, and potentially Liverpool's recent history. For me it is a huge game and one that we will look to win, but it is not the biggest game this season.
It may turn out to be a pivotal moment in the season for both of these sides if either of them go on and lift the Premier League trophy, but there are still "12 more points to play for" were the words of Brendan Rodgers earlier today. We have to make sure that there isn't a repeat performance of the game against West Ham except it would be great to see the same control and calmness that was shown in the second half. For me it depends on the team line-up, but even if we don't play well, it is important that we get the three points.
I have to say it does feel a little strange with a lot of the media piling into the city of Liverpool and the Anfield area in particular lately. It feels strange because Liverpool haven't really been competing for a trophy and haven't come this close as perhaps the 2008/2009 league campaign, or maybe the Champions League campaigns in the same season and seasons before. Questions upon questions for Reds fans outside their team's fortress of a stadium all regard winning the title. "Can Liverpool win the title?, "Can Liverpool do it after 24 years without a league title", "Is this the best Liverpool team ever?" to name a few. On the TV and in the city itself you can feel the spotlight that is being placed on the Merseysiders and their game against Man City on Sunday.
I often compare Liverpool to teams like Borussia Dortmund and more recently Atletico Madrid and definitely see similarities. In terms of really star, high-priced and quality players, only a select few play for these clubs. You compare these squads to the likes of Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and you will see a big difference. That's not to say that our players aren't good because at times Liverpool have looked better than some sides in the Champions League this season, but the players throughout the squad aren't always Luis Suarez, Bayern-bound Robert Lewandowski or Diego Costa asking price. The so called 'bigger teams' have a lot more money to spend on world class talent, whereas the others, not so much. Sure there is money available for all without a doubt, but look at the development of the players in the squads that I have likened Liverpool to. Liverpool are now, primarily, based on youth and developing players, most of which are far from being the biggest names in the footballing world, that are bought in transfer windows, most notably for the Reds - Daniel Sturridge. Are you telling me the likes of Atletico's Koke aren't good enough to play top level European football? He came from Atletico's youth (B team) setup and at the age of just 22 now finds himself playing the the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. All these teams mentioned are examples of money buying trophies and money not buying trophies. Aside from the quality of the teams, the managers certainly deserve a lot of praise, with the likes of young talent in Brendan Rodgers and Diego Simone shining brightly this season. Both systems work, and I have probably not hit the nail on the head with the term 'buying trophies', but certainly more money is the rather easier way of gaining world class talent.
One thing that is certain in football and key to being successful and winning trophies is support. Liverpool fans are undoubtedly the one of the most recognisable, stand-out and loudest group of football fans in the world. The supporters are all as one and generally known as 'Kopites', and are commonly found throughout the world in most if not all countries. They are Red. They are bold. And this season, they are extremely proud.
Flags, banners and scarves are just a few of the things that all symbol different elements of the football club and its illustrious history. For example the club's anthem, the strength of the community through Hillsborough Tragedy, and the 2005 Champions League final to name some. Now they are ready to be the 12th man and potentially see Liverpool win the Barclays Premier League. The players and fans give everything in every game, and now we can all record a tenth consecutive league win with a victory against the Sky Blues in the next encounter. An interesting article (a) in 'The Independent' newspaper shows how the Reds won three League Titles in three seasons in which they went on a winning run of 10+ matches. The 1981/82, 82/83 and 85/86 seasons all ended up with Liverpool as champions, so could a win on Sunday give this side a title after 24 years of disappointment? The most recent season in which Liverpool achieved an incredible winning run such as the likes of these early seasons was the 2005/06 season, but didn't end up top of the tree on that occasion.
The visitors go to Anfield with that extra bit of ammunition in Sergio Aguero. Actually, I say 'a bit' but I should really say 'a lot' of ammunition. We all thought he was fit when he was in the starting eleven that failed to progress further than the Round of 16 in the Champions League in the Nou Camp against Barcelona. But in fact you could argue that the Argentine was a hindrance to the Manchester side's bid to get into the last eight of the biggest club competition on the planet after coming off injured. So the question is - is he fully fit and can cause Liverpool problems rather than create his own side problems on the Anfield turf come 1.37pm onwards on Sunday? Away from Aguero, you have to go a long way back to the last time Man City lost a Premier League game, and even longer for Liverpool. Arguably the best two teams in the league face up once again in a bid to become this seasons Champions.
It was a very interesting encounter at the Etihad on Boxing Day when the Reds lost 2-1 to City, but it was a game that most if not all people watching the game would say that Liverpool deserved to win. Vincent Kompany said that they were the toughest team to play against at home this season (so far) and he can expect another challenge in trying to deal with Suarez and Sturridge. It's good that the other captain Steven Gerrard has a couple of positives heading into this one, with the first one being that he will, presumably, play the Mancunians for the first time this season after missing the Etihad encounter due to injury. Secondly, it is the second Sunday in April when the two sides meet, which means that players' yellow card history is wiped, or you could say 'wipe the slate clean'. El Capitano can no longer miss any games to due him 'racking up the cards' and only an offence deemed as 'red card worthy' would keep a vital player away from the most important part of the season.
Could this game define the season for either of these sides? Will it be key in deciding where the Crown of English football ends up? The kick off for this game and all other games in England and Wales over the weekend will be delayed by 7 minutes to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. A mosaic showing the number '96' will be shown at the Kop End at Anfield against City in what will be the beginning of an extremely emotional game on Sunday afternoon. Kick off is 1.37pm. The place is Anfield. The time is now. It is on TV and on Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky 3D if you cannot make this incredible sell-out fixture. YNWA.
(a) http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/liverpool-what-happened-the-previous-times-liverpool-won-10-league-games-in-a-row-9252254.html is a site that is used in this article only to analyse and comment upon with regards the topic of my own site and the post. Article was written by Matt Lawson of The Independent Newspaper on Thursday 10 April 2014 (as of 11th April 2014)
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