Which players are becoming key to Liverpool’s season?
As Liverpool’s underwhelming season continues, Rebecca Parry takes a look at a side which is losing its captain, and the players who need to step up to take his place.
Liverpool haven’t had a great season so far. We’ve lacked in attacking threat, continued to leak goals at the back, and if things weren’t bad enough, our captain is leaving to go stateside at the end of the campaign.
The debate goes on to whether Steven Gerrard leaving is the right thing for all parties, or whether the club should have done more to keep him. However, now that we know he is leaving, it’s time to look to our young and thriving players to see who is going to step up and fill the void.
With Luis Suarez leaving and Daniel Sturridge injured, the attacking flair that Liverpool showed last year hasn’t been lived up to. The standard was set so high after the winning runs and the nature of play that overwhelmed teams , that anything less was going to be deemed a disappointment.
The Reds haven’t been on the right track all season. Despite the purchases of Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli, the team performances haven’t been up to scratch, with a lack of presence going forward.
Recently, however, the Reds’ have managed to grind out a few results, including progressing through to the next round of the FA Cup, and getting the three points at a tough game away at Sunderland.
Two standout performers in that game were Philippe Coutinho and Lazar Markovic. The team on paper may have looked slightly lightweight as Raheem Sterling was granted a break, however, the duo brought skill and flair to Liverpool going forward.
Coutinho has developed so much in the past 18 months. We have seen the skill of Coutinho in glimpses since he arrived, but his stamina and presence did seem to wear off in the latter stages of games. When he went through a spell on the bench, it may have been questioned whether he was in fact too lightweight to make it in this league.
However, this season we have seen the little Brazilian step it up a notch. Not only has he developed his talent in terms of weaving in and out of opposition defences, but he can withstand the duration of the 90 minutes with the same level of intensity.
Some of his dazzling performances have brought some much needed flair and creativity to Liverpool’s game. One of the only things in his game that has been criticised, however, is his finishing. This is a similar scenario for a lot of Brendan Rodgers’ men, which is why they are relishing the prospect of Daniel Sturridge returning from injury.
One person who has scored recently however, is Lazar Markovic. The 20 year old has had some problems settling into the English game since his transfer, but showed on Saturday that he has got what it takes. His first half performance included gliding through the Sunderland defence as if they weren’t there, and taking the chance when it most mattered. Another chance came out of nothing, where the Serbian positioned his body so obscurely that the volley which eventually hit the bar would have been a goal of the season contender with only a little more luck.
It’s encouraging for Liverpool fans to see our young players delivering the goods when our performances are in serious need of some star quality. Things are starting to look up when you are reminded that we are still to see the finish product, with Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, and Daniel Sturridge to return.
The Offside Rule 
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