LIVERPOOL MANAGER Brendan Rodgers remains insistent that his team cannot win the Premier League despite apparent evidence to the contrary in their stunning 5-1 victory over former leaders Arsenal.
The Anfield side raced into a 4-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes of Saturday’s game; the start of an outstanding performance that hauled Liverpool to within six points of the league summit.
Earlier in the week, Rodgers had claimed a top-four finish — and Champions League football next season — was his side’s only realistic goal, and he clung to his position after the game.
“Yes,” said Rodgers, when asked if he still believed Liverpool were incapable of ending a 24-year wait for a league title. “You only need to look at our squad — that’s an indication.
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“We’ve been outstanding for a big part of the season. In the main, the consistency and quality of our game has been incredible and the objective has always been to finish as high as we possibly can.
“But you only have to look at other teams around — the money that Man City have, you only have to look at who Arsenal had on the bench today (Saturday).
“We will keep focused and keep concentrating and I want to be in a position where we can really challenge for the title one day. The players have been incredible and we hope to continue that development and see where it takes us.
“We were brilliant today. It was a wonderful performance in such a prestigious game between the two teams and it’s another marker for us that we’re getting better and improving all the time.”
Martin Skrtel, from two set-pieces, Raheem Sterling, and Daniel Sturridge produced the first four goals before Sterling added his second and Liverpool’s fifth early in the second half.
Mikel Arteta claimed a consolation for Arsenal from the penalty spot, but it was an afternoon to forget for Arsene Wenger’s side, who entertain Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
“Overall our performance was just not good enough for me,” said Arsenal manager Wenger. “Maybe it’s better I don’t talk too much, go home, and respond on Wednesday night because I put myself in that performance. It raises questions we have to answer on Wednesday.
“I understand completely why people will question us, but it’s not about what people say, it’s how we respond that matters. I can completely understand people who raise questions and we have only one way to answer that. That’s on Wednesday.
“Of course we can still win the title. Whatever happens, it is mathematically possible. It’s always what you do after a defeat that decides your future. We have a lot of questions to answer and a lot of answers to find.”
Every team has em, City lost at the likes of Cardiff and Villa, Chelsea lost at Stoke and drew at home to West Brom. Its from now that they can’t afford anymore, win midweek followed by a 10 day break and kick on from there.
Bang on! Dropped points to Swansea and Southampton were understandable as both teams were playing well at the time. Bad games against Villa, West Brom and Hull have hurt any title bid. Definitely on the up though.
The other way to look at it is that I’d rather take 3 pts off Everton & Arsenal with draws against Villa & West Brom, than the other way around. Beating teams around you in the league is more valuable. … not ideal but good all the same… great progress this year but finishing 4th is critical, particularly in transfer market…. though you’d have to wonder why the chase for a winger considering how well Sterling is doing. .. defensive mid should be the target..
What PR out if Rodgers.Reminds me of a quote out of “The Usual Suspects”……..”The greatest trick the devil played on the world was to make them believe that he didn’t exist”
Annette if you’ve interest in Liverpool then fine, but don’t comment on something you claim to have no interest in as there are plenty of genuine supporters of English football here and don’t need to read your sarcastic non sensical comments
Yea I think if they didn’t drop the four points against villa and west brom they could be considered title challengers but they did so its all about getting 4th now and who knows maybe 3rd
Looking at the fixture list, it looks pretty kind for the rest of the season. With Liverpool’s firepower and Fulham’s defence, a win looks likely midweek. Hopefully the West Brom game will still be fresh in their minds.
A very thin squad but in saying that, Sturridge has missed 3 months, Agger, Enrique, Allen, Johnson out for long periods and still only 6 points off top.
Coutinho is far better suited in a free role than stuck out left, he was class yesterday and with Sterling getting better every week, the pressure has been taken off Suarez who despite not scoring had a cracking game.
Gerrard is growing into the new holding role and has been very good in the last few games. With no Champions League games coming up, top 4 looks a cert unlike what some Everton fan here said last week. (Lucky u didn’t take that bet) It hasn’t taken Rodgers long or much money to turn them into genuine title contenders.
Same old muck keep believing lads yadada yadada yadada. Chances are ye will slip up in terms of title challenge I’d say top 4 should be a cert but you don’t count chickens before they hatch here in the real world . He has spent enough money to get were he is
Spoddgy no one is calling us title contenders bar the media and other fans e.g: you. We are quite content tipping away doing what we’re doing and seeing where we end up. Top 4 would be absolute fantastic stuff for us and I’d be well chuffed considering our squad and its size. Pale this into Man Utds predicament and you’ll see what I mean. United fans say we think we’re gonna win the league yada yada yada and that we wont. Your right we wont but what’s more delusional is United fans thinking they’ll get 4th !!! I’ll say it here , I’ll spell it out for ye , Liverpool wont win the league but I’ll tell ya this , Liverpool will win the league before United finish anywhere near the top 4.
Haha another idiotic comment from ya. Moyes has spent more on 2 players, (Fellaini and Mata) than Rodgers has in total. Any other wise comments to make? U gotta feel for the deluded mancs!
Your right Davin I wouldn’t put €5 on it I’ve put €50 on it , is that enough for ya ? I’ve bet a United fan that scenario. Plus another €50 that Liverpool will finish in the champions league places ahead of United. I’ve agreed to pay out if Liverpool finish 4th and (ahem) United in the unGodliest unimaginable situation win the Champions league.
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Serious guy is Rodgers. Has to be looked at for Manager of the year. Has done a stellar job with this Liverpool side.
It makes slip ups against Villa & the baggies all the more galling!
Every team has em, City lost at the likes of Cardiff and Villa, Chelsea lost at Stoke and drew at home to West Brom. Its from now that they can’t afford anymore, win midweek followed by a 10 day break and kick on from there.
Bang on! Dropped points to Swansea and Southampton were understandable as both teams were playing well at the time. Bad games against Villa, West Brom and Hull have hurt any title bid. Definitely on the up though.
The other way to look at it is that I’d rather take 3 pts off Everton & Arsenal with draws against Villa & West Brom, than the other way around. Beating teams around you in the league is more valuable. … not ideal but good all the same… great progress this year but finishing 4th is critical, particularly in transfer market…. though you’d have to wonder why the chase for a winger considering how well Sterling is doing. .. defensive mid should be the target..
What PR out if Rodgers.Reminds me of a quote out of “The Usual Suspects”……..”The greatest trick the devil played on the world was to make them believe that he didn’t exist”
Spot on con !, come may we will see the real story
Annette if you’ve interest in Liverpool then fine, but don’t comment on something you claim to have no interest in as there are plenty of genuine supporters of English football here and don’t need to read your sarcastic non sensical comments
Yea I think if they didn’t drop the four points against villa and west brom they could be considered title challengers but they did so its all about getting 4th now and who knows maybe 3rd
3rd would be great.
4th makes for a very tough playoff for champions league entry.
Avoiding that would be terrific.
Looking at the fixture list, it looks pretty kind for the rest of the season. With Liverpool’s firepower and Fulham’s defence, a win looks likely midweek. Hopefully the West Brom game will still be fresh in their minds.
A very thin squad but in saying that, Sturridge has missed 3 months, Agger, Enrique, Allen, Johnson out for long periods and still only 6 points off top.
Coutinho is far better suited in a free role than stuck out left, he was class yesterday and with Sterling getting better every week, the pressure has been taken off Suarez who despite not scoring had a cracking game.
Gerrard is growing into the new holding role and has been very good in the last few games. With no Champions League games coming up, top 4 looks a cert unlike what some Everton fan here said last week. (Lucky u didn’t take that bet) It hasn’t taken Rodgers long or much money to turn them into genuine title contenders.
Same old muck keep believing lads yadada yadada yadada. Chances are ye will slip up in terms of title challenge I’d say top 4 should be a cert but you don’t count chickens before they hatch here in the real world . He has spent enough money to get were he is
Spoddgy no one is calling us title contenders bar the media and other fans e.g: you. We are quite content tipping away doing what we’re doing and seeing where we end up. Top 4 would be absolute fantastic stuff for us and I’d be well chuffed considering our squad and its size. Pale this into Man Utds predicament and you’ll see what I mean. United fans say we think we’re gonna win the league yada yada yada and that we wont. Your right we wont but what’s more delusional is United fans thinking they’ll get 4th !!! I’ll say it here , I’ll spell it out for ye , Liverpool wont win the league but I’ll tell ya this , Liverpool will win the league before United finish anywhere near the top 4.
Haha another idiotic comment from ya. Moyes has spent more on 2 players, (Fellaini and Mata) than Rodgers has in total. Any other wise comments to make? U gotta feel for the deluded mancs!
John that’s a ridiculous statement that you wouldn’t put €5 on and you know it.
The only reason you in the top for is that you have no Europa league to contend with . You don’t have the squad to do both
Whats moyes spent 60-70mil?
Dont think Rodgers has spent that much and he’s in the job twice as long and didnt takeover a title winning team…
http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premiership-transfers/liverpool-transfers.html
48m this year, 49m last year.
Your right Davin I wouldn’t put €5 on it I’ve put €50 on it , is that enough for ya ? I’ve bet a United fan that scenario. Plus another €50 that Liverpool will finish in the champions league places ahead of United. I’ve agreed to pay out if Liverpool finish 4th and (ahem) United in the unGodliest unimaginable situation win the Champions league.
Thats 13 players for just less than 100mil,in 4 transfer windows,
Utd spent nearly 70mil on 2players in 2 transfer windows,
Over all the value of all of those players has gone up or at least stayed the same.
And 6 of those times were in the 50′s and everyone knows football was rubbish back then.
Luke , you’re obviously a die – hard football fan calling it rubbish !!
Great performance yesterday…hoping this gives us momentum to take 4th…
None of you are from Liverpool I.e Barstoolers
You’re only a curtain, what would you know?
And a very plain boring one at that….
Stool.
Hey guys. I’m buying tickets to the liv – chelsea game online since I’m in the US. Do you know which website is the most trustworthy.
Ticketmaster or liverpool website? Haven’t got tickets for years :(