Liverpool match up with Newcastle United tonight needing nothing short of a victory to keep their slim Champions League hopes alive.
The Reds have had a bit of an up and down campaign this season, resulting in their current league position heading into the final stages of the season.
This season has been a humbling one for the Reds who were so close to football royalty after nearly capturing the Premier League title last year.
The loss of Luis Suarez in the off-season has to be regarded as the biggest reason for the drop in form over 12 months time. Suarez put Liverpool on his back and carried them last year. His production has been sourely missed.
The injury woes of one Daniel Sturridge have not helped the situation either. After Suarez’s departure, Sturridge was thought to be the new leader of the club, both on and off the pitch.
However, Sturridge has yet to get himself fully fit again after suffering an injury in last summer’s World Cup.
Liverpool paid a pretty penny in the offseason in an effort to improve, but the signings have not made them a better team.
It is fair to wonder whether Liverpool will get to the top of the table in future years. They simply can’t compete in bidding wars with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
Liverpool need to improve their team if they want to get back to competing for the Champions League crown, but they will need to do it intelligently. They will not be able to win many bidding wars for elite players, so they will need to spot talent at a young age and develop that talent.
Liverpool must win and hope for chaos to ensue at the top of the table if they are going to be playing Champions League football next year.
