The Week That Is – We Go Again

Article by e-Liverpool Correspondent Tony Thorne

@TTonal @E_LiverpoolNet @40YardsLFC

“Listen, this is gone. We go to Norwich. Exactly the same. We go again. Come on!” – Steven Gerrard

As huge a spectacle that the Manchester City visit to Anfield was, with so many plot points, that it was easy to understand Steven Gerrard’s rare showing of emotion at full time on Sunday. Yanking his bent arm away from his face, tears freely flowing, Gerrard issued a rallying call to the players that call him their captain. He barked his message loud enough for cameramen to pick up; that game was finished and it was time to start preparing for the next one.

The fact that his words reflect the manager Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy shows how in tune the two are for their common goal. There can be no denying now that Liverpool are looking to win their first ever Premier League title and first top-flight honour for 24 years. But in doing so successfully, as they have for the last ten games (Liverpool have won them all), they must take each game as it comes and treat every rival with the same intensity and respect that they showed Manchester City.

Chelsea are on the horizon and Liverpool have to be careful not to overindulge in celebrating their win last weekend. Gerrard knows this and his reaction at full-time should send a clearer message even than his instructions at the end of the game on Sunday.

Liverpool will not be without problems going forward. With Jordan Henderson’s sending off, he will miss the next three games; away matches at Norwich and Crystal Palace with the Chelsea game sandwiched between. His dynamism has been spoken of on these pages and elsewhere this season, but at least Joe Allen can step in to the breach with near-equal energy and as good a mastery of reading a game and playing a pass. Allen has looked good when playing a bit-part role in the side and has a fantastic opportunity to oust Henderson from the starting line-up going forward.

The other major concern is Daniel Sturridge. As word currently stands, Liverpool are still awaiting results from tests the 20-goal striker has had on his hamstring. No news is not necessarily good news in this case but at least the injury is not definitively a tear or severe strain, as the doctors would know that by now. Regardless of the outcome, expect Sturridge to miss the game at Norwich as a precaution.

One player who will continue to step up in Sturridge’s absence will be the in-form number ten Raheem Sterling. The tricky winger-cum-trequartista is on fire at the moment and with the excellent vision of Phillippe Coutinho backing him up, these two can provide the necessary extra support that no Henderson and Sturridge require.

Norwich are a team that are fighting for their right to stay in the Premier League. Despite having sacked their manager, the Canaries still pose a threat in midfield, with arguably their player of the season Robert Snodgrass making impressive runs at times in recent games.

As Gerrard says, the vital thing for Liverpool now is to not look too far ahead. We go again.

How will the season finish for Liverpool? Get involved on Twitter @e_LiverpoolNet (written by @TTonal)

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