Reds have form to win Cup

Every week, they sing about their dreams being tossed and blown but, right now, the breeze is blowing firmly in Liverpool’s direction. Should the tail wind continue on its current path, an eighth FA Cup triumph beckons beneath the arch.

Only Arsenal or Manchester United can realistically stop the Reds. They exited the Europa League last week but, when it comes to domestic form, Brendan Rodgers’ team, who face Blackburn at Anfield in the sixth round of the FA Cup on Sunday (Monday morning, Singapore time), have all the momentum they need.

Since trying a radical 3-4-2-1 formation at Old Trafford on Dec 14,the Reds have won 13, drawn five and lost only one of their matches in English competitions. Worryingly for everyone else, they don’t look like they are slowing down. Each success sees an extra gust of impetus pushing them towards the finishing line.

While certain individuals have shone, their shift in fortunes is largely down to teamwork and trust in their manager. It took the Irishman time to concoct the right formula for this season’s squad but, in their current guise, the players seem to love what he is asking them to do.

Playing with three central defenders works well for three reasons. First, and this sounds incredibly simplistic, Liverpool do not have two centre-backs that are quick or dependable enough. A safety-in-numbers approach compensates.

They are also deficient in full-back. Rival managers were targeting the likes of Alberto Moreno and Glen Johnson but, now, those guys have less responsibility. In this system, they can fly forward and express themselves, safe in the knowledge that one of the back three will slide across to cover if the ball is lost.

It has worked so well that forwards Raheem Sterling, Lazar Markovic and Jordon Ibe have all been trusted to play as wing-backs and to good effect. Finding an extra spot in his XI for talent of that ilk has been a bonus for the head coach.

The Reds’ central midfield is also enjoying the buffer. When Lucas Leiva is not fit, they do not have a natural sitting midfielder so, should Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson or Joe Allen momentarily switch off and let a runner go past by accident (as is their way), an extra defender is now on hand centrally to bail them out.

The formation has worked wonders for Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana. Fringe players before Christmas, they now drive the revved-up Reds engine. Baffled by their unusual positioning, opponents have not figured out how to pick them up. Arsenal and Man City, in particular, tied themselves up in knots trying.

However, without the right attitude, that would be irrelevant and this is where the Reds are really excelling. Gaining a taste for success, they are hungry to dictate in every match they play in, meaning they have become intent on pressing the life out of opposition teams.

But getting into their opponents’ faces properly and with precision takes great energy, positional sense, instinct, cohesion and teamwork. The moment a player slacks off and allows his man to turn unopposed, Liverpool’s pressure tactic collapses like a pack of cards. They can’t afford weak links. Even without captain Gerrard, the Reds’ heads are in a wonderful place now.

Romantic scriptwriters believe it is Gerrard’s destiny to lift the FA Cup on May 30 — his last act as club captain on his 35th birthday.

I disagree. If Liverpool win the famous old trophy again, it will be down to the formula they have found and their determination to stay on the right track, keeping the wind firmly at their tails.

And let’s be brutally honest here: If they keep this up, Stevie G will not get back into the side anyway.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adrian Clarke is a former Arsenal midfielder who has played at every level of English football. Now an experienced sports journalist, he writes for publications around the world. Follow him on Twitter @adrianjclarke.

FA Cup sixth round matches on Singtel TV:

Today — Bradford v Reading (8.40pm)

Sunday — Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion (1.25am), Liverpool v Blackburn (11.55pm)