Why Liverpool can still win the League

The doom and gloom surrounding Anfield on Sunday afternoon was understandable, but hope should now fill Kopites’ hearts. 

Liverpool’s unbelievable eleven match winning run came to an end as they were beaten in the League for the first time in 2014. Worst of all, it came to an end at the hands of expert  bus driver Jose Mourinho, not only bringing Chelsea back into the title race but, more importantly, putting the fate of the Premier League title out of our hands and into Manchester City’s.

However, although despondency was the understandable and inevitable response in the immediate aftermath of Liverpool’s home defeat to Chelsea and City’s victory at Crystal Palace later that afternoon, it is not justifiable now. With the help of a few days to reflect, it should be clear to Kopites that the title race is far from over, and the hope that is sung about in the club’s famous anthem every week should replace despair in their hearts.

After all, Liverpool have been in much more dire circumstances than this before yet have come out the other side victorious. The classic example is Istanbul in 2005, when the Reds recovered from a three-goal deficit at half time to eventually win against Italian giants AC Milan on penalties to claim their fifth European Cup on an unforgettable night in Turkey.

Gerrard encourages the fans to get behind the team in Istanbul

Only a year later, Liverpool pulled off another miracle, this time at the Millennium Stadium in Wales, as West Ham United were beaten on penalties in the FA Cup final after the Merseysiders had fought back from 2-0 down to level, before then falling behind again to a bizarre goal from future Liverpool left back Paul Konchesky. When all seemed lost, Steven Gerrard produced a piece of magic to level from fully 35 yards in injury time and the rest, as they say, is history.

Compared to half time in Istanbul and injury time in Cardiff, the situation Liverpool find themselves in is highly favourable. Yes, the title race is no longer in their own hands, but they remain top of the Premier League table with two games left to play, two points ahead of Chelsea and three in front of Man City.

Things could be better, but there’s not much for Liverpool supporters to complain about, particularly considering the goal for the season, namely qualification for the Champions League, has already been achieved. Also, they can still dream about what would arguably be an even greater triumph than victory in Istanbul nine years ago.

Although City are clearly in the driving seat, it is unlikely that they will enjoy a smooth ride to their second League title in three years and there remain potholes in the road for the Citizens to negotiate.

Pellegrini isn't looking forward to the trip to bogey ground Goodison Park

The main obstacle Manuel Pellegrini’s side face is a trip to Goodison Park to face bogey team Everton on Saturday evening. The Toffees’ hopes of finishing fourth may be fading fast after critical defeats at home to Crystal Palace and away at Southampton, but they still have Europa League qualification to fight for.

In addition, Roberto Martinez’s men will want to protect their impeccable home record against the Sky Blues. Everton have lost at home to Man City only once in the last 21 years and have beaten them eight times in their previous 12 trips to Goodison Park.

I have a feeling that Everton will do us a favour on Saturday and take at least a point off City, which would hand the initiative back to Liverpool ahead of their trip to Crystal Palace on Bank Holiday Monday. Even if they don’t, though, it’s by no means certain that City will take maximum points from their final games against Villa and West Ham.

The former may well still be fighting for Premier League survival and have a tendency to perform better against the big teams. Paul Lambert’s side won at the Emirates on the opening day of the season, managed to clinch a 2-2 draw at Anfield and beat Chelsea at Villa Park in March. They also beat Manchester City 3-2 in September. Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce will be under pressure to inspire his troops to take something from their final fixture of the season at City as he struggles to keep his job.

In the worst case scenario, City win all their games and finish level on points with Liverpool but with a superior goal difference. However, City’s goal difference is only eight better than the Reds’ currently and, say they beat Everton, Villa and West Ham by one goal each, I wouldn’t put it past Liverpool’s attack to score enough times to complete a remarkable turnaround.

It would require smashing four or five past Palace and seven or eight past the hapless Newcastle, but the SAS is one of the most prolific strike partnerships in the world right now and crazier things have happened at Liverpool!

Don't rule out these two going goal crazy!

There are still plenty of twists and turns left in the title race and it is expected to go to the wire. Liverpool never do things the easy way and it would have been out of place if they had claimed their first League title in nearly a quarter of a century without putting their fans through the mill in the process.

We’ve walked on through the wind and the rain. Now it’s time to start believing once again that there is a golden sky at the end of the storm.

YNWA