Firstly we have the positives. Three goals from a team which as scored a record amount this season, two of which were from the league's two top scorers. It looked like the perfect way for Luis Suarez to cement his status as PFA and Professional Writers' Player of the Year and for Daniel Sturridge to cap off a remarkable rise since his move to Anfield. It also saw Joe Allen score his first goal for Liverpool since his switch from Swansea. It looked like the scoring form that Liverpool have enjoyed all season was going to put them back atop the table and heap the pressure back on Manchester City.
However as much as the goal scoring has been a prominent feature of Liverpool's play this season so has their inability to keep a clean sheet. All season Liverpool seem to have got away with conceding sloppy goals as they have made up for it by racking up three or four goals at the other end. Last night their luck ran out. It would be easy to say that Liverpool simply "bottled it" last night but that isn't the case. In fact for the most part it was one of the most impressive away performances of the season from any team. One could say Liverpool lost their nerve if they weren't used to conceding or it was uncharacteristic but this has been happening all season. It just so happens that this was the game where it mattered the most.
So it looks like Liverpool may have learnt the hard way. Score as many goals as you like but unless you keep it locked up tight at the back, nothing is guaranteed. I for one am disappointed to see Liverpool fall at the last hurdle but I do believe they are developing into a force once again. With Champions' League football at Anfield again next season it will be a special year. It will also help them to attract top players to enable them to challenge for the title again. I would recommend signing a few defenders...
Thanks for reading!
AP
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