From Top 4 To Title Contenders: 3 Things Brendan Rodgers Has Done To Change Liverpool’s season

While most Liverpool fans are basking in the sunlight enjoying the fact that their team might win the first league title in almost 15 years, it must not be overlooked that even at the end of last season it was beyond inconceivable that Liverpool would be in the position that they are in right now. After all at the end of last season, languishing at seventh a vast majority of Liverpool fans were calling for Brendan Rodger’s head.

While Luis Suarez’s magic in front of goal and having no European fixtures to worry about has certainly helped Liverpool, it would be foolish not to recognize the main reason behind Liverpool’s success this season and that is Brendan Rodgers. So we at Soccersouls decided to analyse the three things Brendan Rodgers has done this season to change Liverpool’s fortunes.

Keeping hold of Luis Suarez

While many would not credit Brendan Rodgers for this but the fact is he handled the situation with aplomb. After all when Luis Suarez publically said that he wanted to leave, it would have been the easier option to allow him to leave and to find replacements with the huge amount of money Liverpool would have pocketed from the sale of Luis Suarez. Something Tottenham Hotspur did the previous summer by selling Gareth Bale and bringing seven very good players in his stead to replace him. Now we all know what happened to Tottenham Hotspur and in hindsight the fact that Brendan Rodgers not only convinced the Uruguayan to stay without alienating him but also getting him to sign a new contract deserves all the accolades he will get.

Using both Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in the starting line up

While most teams play a formation with just one striker, Brendan Rodgers has been an exception to this rule and with some stunning effect. While in most matches one of either Suarez or Sturridge has played in the wing, it has not stopped the two from forming the most effective strike partnership in the Premier League. With both Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, being incredibly unselfish, the chances have just racked up for Liverpool and with strikers of the caliber of Sturridge and Suarez one does not need to worry about finishing off chances. The duo have smashed 49 goals between them in the league along with 18 assists so far, a testament to Liverpool’s attacking threat!

Apart from all these, I would like to give credit to Rodgers for one crucial point. His man management skills have helped both Suarez and Sturridge to forget their past and evolve as world class strikers. Suarez, is yet to receive a Red card this season and has just 4 yellow cards to his name. While Suarez’ discipline is on one side, Sturridge has evolved into a team player. His selfish runs around the box have incredibly reduced as the English International looks far more composed on the ball and tries to pass to his team mates who are free.

Using Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson to the best of their abilities

While Liverpool always had the necessary arsenal at the front it is the performance of their midfielders that has improved so much over the course of the season. While Steven Gerrard is an ever present constant at the midfield, the rest of the midfield has stepped up remarkably. While Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson are no world beaters if you just consider their talent, their unbelievable work rate coupled with working for the team has meant that Liverpool while not boasting of a world class midfield has still competed the likes of other title rivals with a vastly superior midfield. The greatest victory for Brendan Rodgers this season, whether they win the Premier League or not, is the fact that he managed his resources so efficiently.