Liverpool may be enjoying their best campaign in recent years, but Brendan Rodgers believes it is still too early for them to win the league title.
The Reds have kept pace with the leading pack all season, and a win against leaders Arsenal on Saturday would see them climb to within five points of the Gunners. This has sparked optimism in the red half of Merseyside that, after a wait of 14 long years, they may finally get the chance to celebrate a 19th league title success.
However, despite having the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Steven Gerrard to call upon, Rodgers is cautious when talk of becoming champions is raised. In fact, the former Swansea City coach still believes his side are some way short of the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, who can boast incredibly strong squads.
“I think for us, as a team, it’s too early for that,” he told Sky Sports. “I was at the Manchester City-Chelsea game the other night and I look at the squads they have – which they have built up over the last few years – and it’s very difficult for us, even though we have competed right the way through the season. So, I wouldn’t say for us this year, no.”
One plus point for the Reds is that they still have to play the three sides above them, and each one of these matches are at Anfield. Liverpool are unbeaten at home since a surprise defeat to Southampton back in September, and such form could go a long way to ensure they stay in the mix for a top-four finish, if perhaps not the title.
“We are professional and we want to fight to finish as high as we possibly can,” Rodgers added. “We look it and there are six points between us and [third-placed] Chelsea, so there is still a lot to play for and we will be fighting right until the very end. But, if I’m asked to give an honest answer, I’d probably say that this year is too soon for us [to win the title].”
A top four finish and an overdue return to the UEFA Champions League, a competition they have been absent from in each of the four years, would certainly be considered a success for Liverpool. They are currently two points ahead of fifth place Everton and a further one above Tottenham Hotspur, but they will also be wary of seventh-placed Manchester United, despite currently leading the champions by seven points.
