Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea - 'You're looking at it wrong'

‘It appears to me that the dark has a lot more territory’

The final scene of the phenomenal HBO drama 'True Detective' sees Woody Harrelson’s character - Marty Hart - utter that sentence with a resigned, pessimistic tone as he looks up at the Louisiana night sky.

As Chelsea left Anfield with a smash and grab three points on Sunday afternoon, those words sprung immediately to mind. In a footballing sense, darkness had indeed overwhelmed the light. A back hole had swallowed a star, if you will. The team that has has lit up the Premier League with their 96 goals and vibrant attacking style was shut down by a nine man defensive wall of pure footballing existentialism. As a result, the destination of the Premier League title no longer resides in Liverpool’s hands. That prize is now Manchester City’s to lose.

First though, we must discuss Chelsea.

Much will be made of how Jose Mourinho’s team went about obtaining their 2-0 victory. The opinions will vary widely. Some will condemn Chelsea’s approach as ‘anti-football’ and lament their laborious time wasting and steadfast dedication to simply stifling Liverpool while trusting to the hope of Rory Delap style long throw ins from the excellent Cesar Azpilicueta. Others will proclaim the performance a ‘Mourinho Masterclass’™. Such is the nature of football and how it can be interpreted.

Mourinho wastes more time against Liverpool 

Wherever your opinion falls on this particular spectrum, the outcome cannot be disputed.

Chelsea won. Liverpool lost.

Across social media, frustration, despair and anger predictably spilled from Reds fans at the final whistle. Yet inside the ground, that most wonderful football ground, the reaction was more appropriate and reasoned. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ rang out when Willian sealed Liverpool's fate. It usually does at such moments. Perspective is required and, thankfully, it was evident as the final whistle blew in L4.

Perspective.

It is important to remember that Liverpool shouldn't really be here. And yet, here they are. Top of the table. In April. Here on merit. On May 11th they will be where they deserve to be, too. The worst case scenario in a fortnight’s time for Brendan Rodgers' team is a third place finish and guaranteed Champions League football next term.

But who wants to talk about worst case scenarios?

If Liverpool can win their last two games then no team will finish with more points than them. Not Manchester City. They can only match the Reds’ maximum available points total regardless of their eye watering transfer fees, outrageous wage bill and squad as deep as the Atlantic Ocean. Not Chelsea either. Despite this victory, Roman Abramovich’s club can’t finish above Liverpool if the Reds manage to secure even four of those six remaining points on offer.

He may have sprinted down the Anfield touchline like a madman in yet another moment of spotlight seeking, but should Jose Mourinho’s former protege finish above him in the Premier League table, then the Portuguese will take ultimately little solace from this victory. If that comes to pass then ‘The Special One’ will internally view his domestic season as a failure, regardless of what he says to the contrary.

Ah, what he says. Off the field, Mourinho is the master of narrative. Certainly in this country. Nine years later, he still moans about Luis Garcia’s ‘ghost goal’ in his press conferences. He does so safe in the knowledge that he won’t be reminded of the fact that, had that goal not been awarded, then his side would have been down to ten men and facing a penalty. He can also cheekily ask the press ‘what is time wasting?’ and ‘what is defensive football?’ in the wake of this performance at Anfield which - rightly or wrongly - was indisputably defined by both. He knows he can ask such questions without being pulled up on the fact that he has bemoaned the same such techniques this season when he has been on the receiving end of them. His hypocrisy is rarely challenged.

As Pep Guardiola astutely and forcibly declared during his time as Barcelona manager, ‘In here (the press room) Mourinho is the fucking man.’

Indeed he is. And good for him.

Whatever myopic spin he wishes to stamp on top of it, his side earned a victory at Anfield. That deserves respect.

Anfield must continue to believe 

And yet, in spite of their victory on Sunday, Chelsea remain third favourites in a three horse race while the Reds require just two more victories and a solitary slip from Manchester City to clinch the Premier League crown. Nobody really thought that possible at the beginning of the season. Not even the most wildly optimistic Liverpool supporter.

The mention of optimism brings us neatly back to that final scene from True Detective.

After Marty Hart speaks of the overwhelming darkness in the night sky, his partner Rust Cohle offers a more positive and encouraging perspective to play the series out.

His words should serve as a neat reminder to any deflated Liverpool fan of just how far their team has progressed this season and, crucially, where they can still go.

‘You’re looking at it wrong, Marty. Once there was only dark. If you ask me the light is winning.’

Selhurst Park. Monday night. Liverpool go again.

LFC Player of the Season Part One

Below starts my countdown of Liverpool's top five performers in the 2013/14 season. In hindsight, a top ten may have been a better idea given the number of players I wanted to praise, but alas, after much head scratching I have managed to whittle it down to just a handful.

Without further ado, here is the first player to make the list.

5. Raheem Sterling

Confession time.

A little over five months ago I wrote a piece suggesting that Liverpool Football Club should send Raheem Sterling out on loan to further his development. Back then the teenager had barely figured for the Reds in the Premier League and certainly hadn't impressed in the few games that he had taken part in. The nadir of his season came when Liverpool lost 3-1 away to Hull City back in December. Sterling was terrible. On a wretched day for the team, it was he who bore the brunt of the criticism. At that particular moment in time, his progress appeared to have stalled. The verve and vitality with which he had performed upon breaking into senior football seemed to have vanished into the ether. In December, Raheem Sterling looked bereft of confidence and self belief.

Thankfully, things change quickly in the world of football.

Just three days after that miserable outing on Humberside, Sterling scored Liverpool’s final goal in a 5-1 home victory over Norwich City. To say that moment was a turning point is an understatement of monumental proportions. Since that ball flew off his left boot and into the roof of the Anfield Road End netting that night, he has been a man transformed. Man. Not a boy. He has displayed such maturity and consistently over the last five months that, if I were evaluating performances of Liverpool players in this calendar year alone, he would be a genuine contender for the number one spot.  

Celebrating his second goal in the 5-1 rout of Arsenal

Everyone is aware of Brendan Rodgers’ love of a sound bite, but when he recently labelled Sterling as ‘the best young player in Europe’ it was a difficult assertion to quarrel with. Throughout the Reds’ eleven game winning run that has propelled them to within touching distance of the title, no star has shone brighter than that of the Jamaican born prodigy. In games of huge significance, Sterling has come to the fore.

His brace and assist at Carrow Road last weekend won a crucial three points for his side. The snake hipped shimmy at home to Manchester City the week before when he opened the scoring nearly sent Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany into the Centenary stand at Anfield. So far in Liverpool’s high pressured title run in, the nineteen year old has been as fundamental for Rodgers’ team as experienced campaigners like Luis Suarez or Steven Gerrard.

Young footballers with high levels of skill and potential are not meant to be this consistent or regularly decisive in just their second season of top level football. Sterling is breaking the rules as he goes. Crucially, he is also changing the perception of what a budding English forward can aspire to.

Usually, when a diminutive, quick, tricky, English talent comes into the Premier League, as Sterling did last season, coaches generally tend to send them on their way down a well worn path that they will then tread for the rest of their footballing days. That trail routinely leads them to being utilised exclusively in wide areas to exploit their pace. Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Theo Walcott are prime examples of players who have strolled along that route. All have won England caps and forged very good careers for themselves as ‘flying wingers’. Being an international level wide man is nothing to be sniffed at, but Raheem Sterling is already showcasing a far more diverse skill set than all of the players mentioned above.

He should not be consigned to the flanks and asked to fill a one dimensional role. He’s better than that. Far better. Brendan Rodgers has already ensured that Sterling is a much more rounded footballer than any English ‘winger’ of the past decade. Considering the player is yet to turn 20, that is a remarkable feat. If that comment sounds hyperbolic - and I admit, it does - then I implore you to propose an example of a pacey English forward who could have excelled in the ‘number ten’ role to the extent that Sterling did recently against a top level team like Manchester City. Not easy, is it?

It is safe bet that in the years to come you won’t be seeing Raheem Sterling repeatedly attempting to reach the byline and whip crosses in ad nauseam a la Aaron Lennon. Nor will he unceasingly be cutting inside and firing shots off in hope like Andros Townsend. He won’t have to beg his manager to play down the middle like Theo Walcott either, as he actually possesses the touch, smarts and strength to influence games regularly from central areas. This young man can already do all of these things listed above and far more besides. His manager appears to be acutely aware of that and has utilised Sterling’s vast array of attributes impeccably this term.

The intelligence and tactical flexibility Sterling displays week in week out belie his tender years and put many seasoned professionals to shame. This is a young player who has featured - for a team leading the Premier League table, no less - as a full back, an attacking midfielder, a winger and a central striker. His ability to find space and pick the right pass so consistently at this embryonic stage in his development takes the breath away. We are watching a teenager playing with the knowhow and poise of a veteran.

Brendan Rodgers has aided Sterling's development this season

While Rodgers deserves plaudits for the coaching that has undoubtedly aided Sterling in reaching the level that he is at, the player himself must take the lion share of the praise. It’s very easy for teenage prodigies to lose their way in the modern world of football. At one point not too long ago there was genuine concern that Sterling would fall victim to the fame and fortune thrust upon him at such a young age. He had several well publicised off the field problems after breaking into the Liverpool first team and his form subsequently suffered. That he has steered his career back onto the right path is a credit to him.

The teenager who looked like he’d lost his way not so long ago is now unarguably one of Liverpool’s most important players as they seek their first title in 24 years. No one saw that coming back in December, least of all me.

At just nineteen years of age Raheem Sterling is one of the best attacking players in the Premier League. If his current rate of progress continues over the next few years then there are no limits on what he can achieve. There is a long way to go and plenty of obstacles will be in his way, but the path he is on right now can lead him anywhere he wants to go.

2013/14 Premier League Stats:

Apps: 30

Goals: 9
Assists: 4

Season Highlight: His performance against Norwich City at Carrow Road. A thunderous long range effort smashed into the top corner, a slide rule pass to assist Luis Suarez’s goal and a match winning strike after dribbling with the ball from the halfway line and beating two defenders. He won Liverpool three vital points in one of their most difficult fixtures of the season.

Manchester United couldn't change David Moyes

Ten months in charge of a football club may not sound like a long time to most people, but in the case of David Moyes and Manchester United, it felt like an eternity.

Upon learning of Moyes’ sacking today, one quote immediately sprung to mind. It came some months ago from Gary Neville.

At the beginning of the season, the former United captain and Jamie Carragher were discussing David Moyes’ appointment as Manchester United manager. Neville was asked by his Scouse co-analyst whether Moyes would change the club he was arriving at or whether the reigning champions of England would change David Moyes.

‘United will change him’ Neville replied with an assertive nod and smile that portrayed ultimate confidence. The former right back then went on to talk extensively and passionately about United’s philosophy of attacking football. The implication was that Moyes would have to augment the style of play that he practised in his previous job at Everton in order to fit in with the philosophy of his new club and succeed.

Unfortunately for Neville and United supporters the world over, their club did not change David Moyes. David Moyes changed their club.

Over the course of this disastrous 2013/14 season, David Moyes remained David Moyes while Manchester United lost their identity. Over the coming days, much will be said of managers being denied sufficient time to implement their ideas and form their own squads in the wake of Moyes’ sacking. There is some merit to these claims. Too many managers are cast aside in haste these days. Such is modern football.

David Moyes is not one of these unfortunate souls, however.

Make no mistake, the Manchester United of 2013/14 were definitively Moyes’ creation; Rigid, cautious, lacking invention and found wanting against the better sides in the Premier League, United closely resembled the Everton teams that the Scot spent a decade assembling on Merseyside. His Everton sides were functional and consistently finished in the top half of the table. That was never going to be enough to satisfy a club of United’s standing. More was required of Moyes for him to succeed at Old Trafford; He had to adapt and evolve. He failed to do either.

Any manager at a European powerhouse such as Manchester United cannot rely on patience and time being afforded to them, especially when the owners of such an institution are venture capitalists whose chief concern is the share price of their ‘franchise’. Success (in terms of trophies) isn't a prerequisite at Old Trafford these days. Champions League participation and the monetary rewards that come along with it, is. The financial implications of United being out of Europe’s elite competition for a sustained period would be catastrophic for the Glazer family.

Despite being crowned champions of England last season, United were not universally expected to win the title this term. A season of transition was how 2013/14 was billed and securing a top four finish would have been an acceptable, if slightly underwhelming, achievement for Moyes. A title challenge wasn't out of the realms of possibility by any means, but top four was the minimum requirement for success.

The notion of Manchester United finishing in 7th place in the Premier League was outlandish back in August. For all the talk of United’s squad being weaker than previously perceived, no one saw a failure of that magnitude occurring. That Moyes has left United in just such a position with only four games remaining in their season is as shocking as it is abysmal. First season or not, such a fall from grace was never likely to be tolerated at a club like United. Nor should it have been.

Not all successful managers start off brilliantly in new jobs, of course. This season’s outstanding boss, Brendan Rodgers, finished seventh in his first term with Liverpool. The difference is that managers like Rodgers earned time for themselves despite inauspicious beginnings. Even when results weren't necessarily great at Anfield last season, Rodgers’ vision was apparent. There were encouraging performances sprinkled amongst the string of poor early results and progress slowly but surely began to emerge in the final half of the league campaign. Rodgers bought himself another year at Anfield by showing the masses that his team was improving and that he was seeking to play an attractive, crowd-pleasing brand of football. Future success wasn't a guarantee, but progress was tangible and therefore, hope and belief in Rodgers’ abilities remained and he kept his job.

Contrast that with David Moyes season at Old Trafford and it is easy to see why similar levels of patience weren't forthcoming. United’s football hasn't been adventurous or entertaining. It has been laborious and uninspiring. The results have been even worse. 3-0 home hammerings at the hands of rivals Manchester City and Liverpool were bad enough, but Everton’s league double over United was the straw that ultimately broke the camel’s back and sealed Moyes’ fate.

It is ironic and somewhat fitting that Moyes’ final game in charge of Manchester United was a comprehensive defeat at Goodison Park against his former club. Two things were apparent as Everton outplayed United on Sunday:

Firstly, after just ten months in charge of his new club, Roberto Martinez had changed Everton beyond all recognition. Secondly, David Moyes had done exactly the same to Manchester United.

And so I come back to those words:

‘Manchester United will change him’

That Gary Neville’s assertion was so wrong is exactly why ten months was more than enough time for David Moyes at Manchester United.

Martinez & Rodgers lead the way

When Bill Kenwright announced to the media that Roberto Martinez had promised him that he would reach the Champions League with Everton, people were taken aback. By turning Martinez’s private promise into a public proclamation, the Blues’ chairman had placed one hell of weight on the shoulders of his new manager. Mass sniggering and derision followed on the internet and in the media. Safe to say that not many believed the ex-Wigan boss was capable of taking Everton into the top four of the Premier League. Conventional wisdom suggested that matching David Moyes’ recent achievements of keeping Everton in the top six or seven would be a major success for the Spaniard in his inaugural season at the club. Champions League? You’re havin’ a laugh, indeed.

If the majority of football followers last summer were dismissive of Everton’s hopes of dining at Europe’s top table - and they were - then one can only imagine the guffaws in the Anfield press room and beyond had Brendan Rodgers’ claimed that his Liverpool side would put up a sustained fight for the 2013/14 Premier League crown. Yet here we are, 34 games into the season and both Merseyside clubs are on course for destinations that seemed well out of reach just eight months ago. In April 2014, no one is laughing at Roberto Martinez or Brendan Rodgers.

It is important to note that it wasn't always this way. Many openly questioned whether Martinez and Rodgers were even fit to take over Merseyside’s two giant clubs, let alone lead them to success. When stepping into their new roles, both men were young and had suffered major setbacks in their burgeoning careers: Martinez had just been relegated with Wigan Athletic when he pitched up at Goodison Park to replace David Moyes. Rodgers had previously been sacked by Reading and had only one year of managerial experience in the Premier League under his belt when he took up the Anfield reins from the iconic Kenny Dalglish. Large amounts of scepticism surrounded both men going into this season.

Why the distrust?

Well, first of all, neither man is exactly shy of speaking. Undeniably, they both love a quote and give the impression that they would happily chat for hours on end about their footballing ‘philosophies’. Some perceive this as arrogance. Martinez’s regular appearances on television screens as a pundit and Rodgers’ (unwanted) starring role in the cringe inducing documentary ‘Being: Liverpool’ are perhaps sources for some of the doubts that followed both men into this season. ‘Sure, he talks a good game, but what has he really achieved?’ is a charge that has previously been aimed at both men many times over.

The two men share many similar traits. Their mutual footballing ideologies are undoubtedly not the norm when it comes to the traditional British perception of football management. Talk of tiki-taka, possession statistics or flipping of the midfield triangle causes many eyes to glaze over instantly in this land. The majority much prefer their ‘old school’ managers who shout and berate from the touchline and emphasise hard work, passion and determination. Merseyside’s current commanders in chief are clearly cut from a different cloth than men such as Harry Redknapp, David Moyes, Tim Sherwood and Roy Hodgson.

Rodgers and Martinez are two of the brightest young coaches in Europe

Two banks of four and reactive football are not clearly not attractive propositions for Roberto or Brendan. Both men adore and largely adhere to the Barcelona/Spanish proactive way of playing. Martinez is a Catalan himself, while Rodgers has spent a great deal of time learning his craft on Spanish shores. As evidenced by their respective stints at Swansea City, they seek and demand attacking, progressive football. Under their rule, the small Welsh club went from being a League One outfit to a firmly established Premier League side that is recognised as a team with a distinct and neutral friendly identity.

Aside from their love of attacking football, another shared trait that has come to the fore recently is their development of talented youngsters. There is an eagerness in Britain to turn any gifted teenager into the next great world superstar as soon possible. Too often have promising careers stalled or even been ruined by over the top expectations and coaches who have been willing to overuse youngsters to their physical detriment.

Martinez and Rodgers again take a different approach. In Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley, Liverpool and Everton posses within their ranks two of the most gifted English talents since Wayne Rooney burst on to the scene back in 2002.

It would have been easy for the managers of these clubs to simply throw those two teenagers into their respective teams on a weekly basis, but thankfully, neither has been overplayed or burned out. Instead they have been allowed to progress organically, improving on the training pitches of Melwood and Finch Farm. When their form has dipped, their managers have taken them out of the firing line and shepherded them away from the public gaze. Their subsequent improvement as footballers has been incredible to witness.

Brendan Rodgers speaks at the 25th Hillsborough memorial service

In the last six months alone, Sterling has been completely transformed as a player. He’s gone from being perceived as an archetypal, quick winger - in the mould of an Aaron Lennon - who couldn't make the Liverpool first team into a player of such poise, maturity and intelligence that he is now capable of dominating a match against Manchester City from the central, ‘number 10’ position. His movement and appreciation of space is astounding for one so young. Rodgers’ coaching and guidance has undoubtedly been instrumental in this progression.

Many managers would have simply seen a pacey wide player and implored him to use his speed out on the flanks. Instead, Rodgers has moulded Sterling into a more rounded player, ever conscious of the game that is going on around him and capable of influencing it in a variety of ways rather than relying solely on his impressive turn of foot. As a result, the kid with off the field problems who wasn't in the Liverpool team six months ago should now be starting for his country in Brazil in a few weeks time.

Across Stanley Park, Barkley has this season gone from being a reserve at Everton to one of the most sought after young players in Europe. He still lacks some consistency but Martinez is keen to look past the flaws that exist in the Scouser’s game and instead harness the positive attributes that his prodigious young attacker possesses.

Everton’s previous manager, David Moyes, appeared to be cautious of giving Barkley significant game time, probably because the player is a little erratic and wasn't exactly in keeping with the hard working, defensive and ultra organised Everton team that the Scot had created. Plenty of Evertonians bemoaned Moyes’ reluctance to give Barkley his chance and we can now see why. Under a manager that encourages his players to express themselves on the ball and try things in the final third, Barkley has grown immensely and will surely go to the World Cup this summer with England. His improvement only looks set to continue under the tutelage of Martinez.

Plenty of other examples of youth development are apparent in both Merseyside squads. Jon Flanagan, John Stones, Gerard Deulofeu, James McCarthy, Jordan Henderson, Seamus Coleman, Daniel Sturridge, Romelu Lukaku and Philippe Coutinho have all shone brightly this term. Martinez and Rodgers are proving that British teams and British players can play with the same amount of poise and technique as their foreign counterparts, even at a young age. More importantly, they are also proving that the can be successful while doing so.

Ross Barkley gets seized his chance under Martinez 

Tactically, Martinez and Rodgers have impressed immensely this season. Rodgers has deviated from the initial style that he tried to impose on his Liverpool side and made the Reds a more robust, direct team in the process. They still value possession, but the way that they now press the ball when their opponents have it and launch counter attacks with great intensity is a sight to behold. Many bemoaned the fact that the Northern Irishman tried to make Liverpool play just like Swansea in his early days at the club, but he has since demonstrated that pragmatism is another string to his bow. Liverpool have used a multitude of formations this term to great effect. From 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 diamond, Rodgers’ side have a system for nearly every challenge that they face, often switching between these variations in game. It has worked a treat, as has the crucial repositioning of captain Steven Gerrard as a deep lying play-maker.

While Rodgers has adjusted his in game set ups regularly, Martinez has stuck more closely to his preferred style. Everton play out from the back. Their centre halves regularly split while their own deep play-maker Gareth Barry drops into defence. Their impressive fullbacks are more akin to auxiliary wingers. Many doubted whether players like Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Steven Naismith would be able to adapt to Martinez’s way of football, but adapt they have. Everton’s recent dismantling of Arsenal at Goodison Park showed off the inventive side of Martinez, also. His deployment of Naismith as a central striker and Romelu Lukaku as a wide forward took Arsene Wenger by surprise and the Gunners’ manager never managed to solve the problem presented to him. Everton ran out comprehensive 3-0 winners. Wenger was once seen as a tactical pioneer in England, but on that day he was made to look like a dinosaur by the young Spaniard.

In the recent past, Evertonian successes had been built upon solidity and defensive organisation. Now, Martinez takes his men into battle against the very best sides in the country believing, as his players do, that they can outplay their opponents. Bus parking and aspiring to 6th place in the Premier League table is no longer on the menu at Goodison. Everton are taking on the big boys at their own game and succeeding. They are infinitely more pleasing on the eye than they were just 12 months ago and by the season’s end they will have accrued their largest points total in Premier League history. The front foot, adventurous football that Roberto Martinez has put his faith in is paying dividends. He is taking Everton to new heights.

Merseyside once again possesses two of the very best football teams in the country. It is also lucky to have a pair of managers that represent the future of football with their progressive ideas and acute tactical knowledge. Whether Liverpool clinch their 19th league title over the coming weeks or Everton can pip Arsenal to fourth position, Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez have already succeeded beyond the realms of what most thought possible.

Roberto Martinez addresses the Kop at the Hillsborough memorial service

As well as improving Liverpool’s two great teams exponentially on the pitch, both men seem to be completely in tune with what their clubs and their adopted city stand for and represent. At the 25th Hillsborough memorial service at Anfield, the pair delivered poignant and heartfelt messages that drew universal acclaim. Their speeches demonstrated that they understood the city in which they now work and the mentality of it’s people. Rodgers spoke of the inspiration he took from the families of those lost in the tragedy while Martinez bemoaned the treatment of those people by the establishment. Applause rang out for the speeches.

Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez are remarkable football managers. More importantly, they are also good men. Everton Football Club are lucky to have Roberto Martinez. Liverpool Football Club are lucky to have Brendan Rodgers.

The city is lucky to have them both.

Heart as big as Liverpool

‘Never let your heart rule your head’

I've never liked that saying.

Fortunately, at this point, I have no choice but to completely ignore that overused, cliched phrase that values logic above emotion. My head, like most Liverpool supporters’ had gone weeks ago. I’ve been relying on heart for a while now. Sunday 13th April 2014 was a day for Liverpool’s heart to hang in there and somehow keep beating. It did. Only just. But it did.

On Sunday, the two best football teams in England put on a exhibition of ebullient football that glistened with dazzling beauty in the spring sun at Anfield. It was truly a sight to behold. Logic nowhere. Emotion everywhere. Head nowhere. Heart everywhere.

Philippe Coutinho celebrates his winning goal against Manchester City

First Liverpool. Suarez’s beautiful backside and perfect pass. Sterling’s body swerve and finish. Thump, thump, thump went the heart. Skrtel’s seventh of the season. Thump, thump, thump. Then City. So much City. Endless, omnipresent City. David Silva putting on his ballet shoes and leading the Reds a merry dance for thirty agonising minutes……Thump……thump……thump. Finally, an errant clearance and one perfect swing of a Brazilian right boot. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP! The final whistle. Liverpool’s heart still beating.  

Nothing is won for the Reds yet. Nothing is lost for Manchester City or Chelsea, either. Silva, Nasri and co will continue to bewitch defences until the 11th of May. Chelsea will strain every sinew to envelop the beautiful light of attacking football emitted by their two title rivals with their existential void of defensive darkness. Jose Mourinho has somehow dragged his pragmatic but uninspiring side into a position where one victory at his most detested venue - Anfield - in two weeks time will likely give him another league title. The head tells you that he can succeed, too.

His record at Anfield in the league is good. So are his results against his title rivals. His team have faced Liverpool and City on three occasions in this competition so far and won every single time. He has his mind games. He has a press that is willing to lap up his nonsensical , hypocritical musings. He’s been here before. He’s done it before. Three of his teams’ final four fixtures might as well be written off as Chelsea victories such is the ease of them on paper. Logic tells us that the Portuguese has it in his power to make sure that this most exciting of title races culminates with it’s least exciting challenger at the summit.

Jose Mourinho has the Premier League title in his sights

Sod logic. Logic is the work of the head. This season tells us to ignore it. Sunday told to us to ignore it:

With fifteen minutes left on the Anfield clock, Liverpool were spent and Manchester City were the team in the ascendency. Logic wasn't telling anyone that the Reds would win that game. But they did. Oh, how they did! To paraphrase the great man himself - Logic? What a word, eh? Stricken from the record! I object to it!

Logic has no place in this title race. The head has no place in this title race. It’s all about heart from here on in, ladies and gentlemen. What player wants this title more than Steven Gerrard? What crowd will scream and shout with every last breath to get over the line more than the Anfield masses? Whose heart is bigger than Liverpool’s?

Norwich away. Thump. Chelsea at home. Thump. Crystal Palace away. Thump. Newcastle at home. Thump.

The heart will always rule the head.