United trip holds no fears for Reds

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As the away end partied like it’s 1990, only the foolish would now deny that Liverpool Football Club are genuine title contenders.

Trips to Southampton have rarely yielded much of a return for the Reds. They certainly never go there and win 3-0.

But these are exciting times to be allied to the Anfield faithful and just when it was needed, Brendan Rodgers skilful workhorses have found their form away from home.

Southampton, to their credit, are a decent match for Liverpool. Two sides that try to play the right way with innovative managers.

The difference here was that Liverpool were clinical in front of goal. A mind set that has yielded 73 league goals so far this season.

They also have Luis Suarez, who despite enduring somewhat of a mini goal-drought, resumed normal service here with a goal, an assist and the winning of a stoppage-time penalty.

Suarez is the Premier League’s top goal-scorer. He also has the most assists. Throughout his supposedly barren spell in front of goal, his influence on matches was no less significant than the ones he had scored hat-tricks in.

It is difficult to suggest that there is a better player in world football at this very moment. He is a player who deserves to be winning titles and playing in the Champions League and both can be a reality if Liverpool continue in this vein.

By all accounts, they are over-achieving, but with so many other top clubs in transitional periods this could be their best chance of winning a 19th league title.

Liverpool will hardly have wanted a weekend off, but with Sunderland’s continued involvement in the FA Cup that is what they will have ahead of a significant trip to Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s post-Ferguson defence of the Premier League title could not have gone much worse, but they would be horrified to see a resurgent Liverpool capitalise on their misfortune in the most ruthless manner possible.

They will no doubt be determined to stop Brendan Rodgers troops in their tracks, but with a catastrophic disaster to avert just days later against Olympiakos just what is their priority?

United’s miserable performance in Athens drew parallels with the closing stages of Roy Hodgson’s managerial rein at Anfield, where players looked like they’d stopped believing in their own ability.

As tough as any trip to Old Trafford should be, Liverpool couldn’t be playing United at a better time and will travel down the East Lancs Road with all the confidence that they need to execute a Merseyside power shift.

The progressed made by Rodgers is nothing short of remarkable. Who would’ve thought that his wafer thin squad could be in with a shout with just 10 games to go?

He has often spoken about a one-club mentality and it is clear that the players having completely bought into his strategy, which is now executed with impressive precision.

Even if his thrilling team fall short of the big prize this season, Champions League football seems like a certainty and Rodgers will have elevated himself to one of the most exciting managers to play for in Europe.

If Luis Suarez now believes that he can achieve all of his goals at Anfield then there is real hope for lasting dynasty.

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