Monday night football can be a bit of an after show. The main buzz is always on a Saturday and Sunday and that's when you really want to be playing.
Monday nights can also be a test for supporters, especially travelling fans who've got work or school to plan around. But for once I think it's a good thing we are scheduled for a Monday.
Firstly there's been a double international break and the delay in playing Swansea means Brendan Rodgers will have that bit of extra time to work with his players.
Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling were both out in Ukraine of course with England but there were trips and games too for Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel. So they'll benefit from the extra time to recover from any bumps and bruises.
And crucially, it gives Daniel Sturridge extra time to recover from the injured thigh that kept him out of the England games. He's vital for us right now and with Luis Suarez not back for a couple of weeks, we really do need him leading the line if possible.
So there are some real upsides to playing on a Monday this time.
We have to go and take full advantage of them at Swansea.
The lads have made a terrific start but it is very, very early days and Rodgers is right to insist no one starts getting carried away.
We're top of the league now and whether we still are on Saturday night, it doesn't really matter. If we beat Swansea we'll soon be back top.
After such a great result against Manchester United, we must now guard against complacency and big-headedness and go to the Liberty Stadium with just as much fire in our bellies and fighting spirit.
That's the thing that's caught my eye about the lads already this season. They are really pulling together as a team and fighting for each other.
Mentally, they are strong, together and full of belief. If we keep that spirit up in every game, whoever it is against and whenever it's played, we'll be OK.
Rodgers a clear winner for the top boss award
I am chuffed for Brendan Rodgers that he's just won the Barclays Manager of the Month Award.
Taking over a massive club like Liverpool - and following in the footsteps of Kenny Dalglish - must have been one hell of a challenge for a bright young manager like him. And it remains so, of course.
But he's making his mark and clearly working very hard to get Liverpool playing as a team and in the right way...the Liverpool way.
He thoroughly deserves the award of course after seeing his side win their first three games.
Brendan will be delighted with three clean sheets as much as anything - and with the saves his new keeper Simon Mignolet has been making to help ensure them.
But equally, he will know that we still need a bit more up front as the season goes along, because you can't keep clean sheets in every game. Therefore it's vital others, as well as Player of the Month Daniel Sturridge, now start making a contribution up top.
The return of Suarez should give us a massive lift in that regard but Rodgers will also want to see the likes of Aspas and Coutinho, plus others getting on the scoresheet.
A bit more breathing space in games has to be the ambition now.
Great to see so many options at the back for Reds
From being a bit worried that we might be short on central defenders this season, we suddenly seem to have options galore.
We've signed two highly-rated young prospects in Sakho and Ilori; Daniel Agger is a lynchpin and Martin Skrtel has returned to the fold and shown great form against United. Then there is young Andre Wisdom who can play there and is getting better all the time, plus young Martin Kelly who is already an England international who is working his way back to full match fitness.
It gives us quality, depth and competition for places at the back. And that's where all top managers begin when they are building top, trophy-winning teams.
Being mean at the back is fundamental.
Source: Liverpool Echo
No comments:
Post a Comment