A Fortnight for Fourth: Looking at Liverpool’s March Fixtures
· Yahoo Sports
Liverpool’s season has been, generally, a bit rickety. If one were to take stock of the current conditions of the club but were to not know it belonged to Liverpool – in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, favorable draw in the Round of 16 for the Champions League, and in good shape to at least end up in Europe as it stands – you might be surprised to learn that the feedback from most of the fan base has been immersed in frustration and a sense that the club are underperforming.
I suppose it wouldn’t be too harsh a sentiment even allowing the circumstances surrounding the club – injury record, major overhaul in terms of personnel, and the ongoing work of managing grief – but such is the status of Liverpool in the English game, that expectations are sky-high. And, at present, the club’s rather poor defense of their Premier League title has soured the year for many.
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In fact, with Liverpool currently in 6th – level on points with Chelsea but behind on goal difference – and outside of the European places, Liverpool fans’ anxiety is pretty high. Which is what makes these last two weeks before the March International Break pretty crucial. Especially since what comes in April is, essentially, the run-in.
Liverpool started their period a bit herky-jerky by splitting their back-to-back tilts against Wolves. While you won’t often hear me say this, for the purposes of bringing home silverware, thank goodness they won the match that ensured they get to stay in a competition.
Looking forward, the next two weeks will be a test as Liverpool face Galatasary home and away in the Champions League with matches against Tottenham and Brighton in the league. All matches, it must be said, Liverpool will be expected to win.
Liverpool’s brief will be to advance in the Champions League and to take full points against both Tottenham and Brighton. And similarly to what transpired during Wolves Week, I’d likely prioritize the results in the CL.
That is me being practical but it’s also true that Liverpool have been buoyed of late in the league with the form of Chelsea and Aston Villa both looking to be quite poor at present. Liverpool fans are right to be upset not to be in possession of fourth – ahead on goal difference – had they simply managed to find a result against Wolves. But, for me, the silver-lining is that neither of those clubs looks like they’re going to find their way into a sparkling vein of form any time soon (and given my personal feelings towards Unai Emery for his treatment of Harvey Elliott, long may their tailspin continue).
Which is to say, if Liverpool can maximize their points over this fortnight, they put themselves in prime position to control their destiny in all remaining competitions: win the Champions League, win the FA Cup, finish in the top four. It’s a downgrade from the promise that this season started with, but I think most fans would take knowing that we were alive in all of these chases come this point of the year.