Liverpool have not been playing well recently. That's an undeniable fact. As much as i hate to say it Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have all played far better, and much more consistently this season.
However, as regular readers will know, i like to be optimistic, and the good news is that Liverpool can only get better, whereas Spurs and Villa can only get worse. It's a simply theory and it goes like this; it's a hell of a lot easier for a great team (eg, Liverpool) to have a poor season than for a good team (eg Aston Villa or Birmingham) to have an excellent season.
Ignoring the abysmal performances against Reading in the FA Cup Liverpool's results have improved recently with wins against Wigan, Wolves and Aston Villa coming in between a pathetic 2-0 reversal away to bottom of the table Portsmouth. Also, Liverpool gained a vital, and for many unexpected, point away to the battling Stoke City. These results have given the Reds a respectable 10 out of the 15 points available, even though the team hasn't been performing anywhere near the dizzying heights of the second half of last season.
During the same period Villa have taken 7 out of the available 15 points, and have not scored a Premier League goal in their last 3 matches. These matches include a 3-0 reverse at the Emirates Stadium, where Cesc Fabregas was on top form, scoring 2 goals from the bench, and a heart breaking 1-0 defeat to Rafa's Redmen, with Torres scoring a last minute winner in the snow. Furthermore, Villa could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to the relegation threatened West Ham at the weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur have fared slightly better than Liverpool over the past 5 matches, claiming 11 out of 15 points, however this is a slightly disappointing return when you consider the fact that Spurs have been in a much richer vein of form over the season than Liverpool have. Also, they have drawn 2 out of their last 3 games. Both were games they were expected to win, as they drew 0-0 away to Fulham and at home to Hull City.
It is surprising that Liverpool have only been 1 point worse than Tottenham over the last 5 Premier League games (and 3 points better off than Villa), considering the amount of negative press Liverpool have had, with some journalists even claiming that Liverpool are heading into mid table obscurity, despite the fact that Liverpool are a mere 4 points off that all important 4th spot. If you believe all you read in the papers Liverpool have been in such horrible form that you'd expect them to have only 1 or 2 points from their last 5 matches, however this is not the case.
This brings me back to my theory. Liverpool have been showing signs recently that things are beginning to look up, with 10 points taken from a possible 15. Villa on the other hand have been on decline, and Tottenham haven't fared much better. This is because Villa and Tottenham are not on the same level as Liverpool, over a sustained period of time. As i said above, it is much easier for a great team like Liverpool to have a poor season, than for a good team, like Spurs or Villa, to have an excellent season. It is much easier to lose several games on the bounce than to win consecutive matches because poor form is contagious. Good form is also contagious, however it is easily lost and much harder to retain. Poor form, on the other hand, is notiriously difficult to stop and is easily obtainable, with only one disappointing result enough to plunge a team into a disappointing run of results.
Liverpool are on their way back to the top. We'll finish fourth this season as we are better than Spurs, Villa and City however i suspect that we might be fighting for a fourth place finish once again next season, while City should be right in the thick of the title race, with their supreme riches given them a considerable advanatge. I suspect that Arsenal might be dragged into the top 4 fight next season, with City taking their place in the battle for top spot.
Only time will tell...
YNWA
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