There have been more strange results this season than we would normally expect. Granted, we haven't capitalised at all but the opportunity is not gone either. I understand the frustration but I wonder if, in Ings, Coutinho and Sturridge, we might see some of what we've seen in the past.
The team has looked shell-shocked since the Chelsea defeat and the following Palace game. That end of season near miss has cast a long shadow on the club. We haven't had a functioning attack for over a season - which puts a lot of pressure on a defence that had never really had to defend - on the grounds that Suarez and co would score three a game, as often as not. I think the signings have been questionable too, but I do think we'll see a different team once there's a belief we can score goals, again. If Sturridge stays fit and works up a partnership with Ings, it might all change in BR's favour. I'm not a fan (of BR) but I'm unconvinced by the alternatives. The only one that would really do it for me is Ancellotti and is that a real link?
What I'm interested in is whether the players will really play for BR. The Everton game will be a proper test of their commitment. If they play like they did against Stoke (the 6-1) I'm thinking BR has probably lost his way, irrevocably. At that point, you'd have to say he'd need replacing so as to allow someone to reinstall some belief and pride. If they do fall apart again, though, as much as you'd have ask questions of Rodgers, the players would also, in my opinion, have shown themselves to be of questionable integrity. That's not what you want from people that put on an LFC shirt. Fans wishing for catastrophic capitulation are not, in my opinion, looking deeply enough at the implications of such events. Even Ancellotti can't put character into players that don't have it. If these guys are that dishonest, we'd need a completely new squad AGAIN. To me, the next game few games are the real test. If we can build on today's result, I still think top 4 should be within reach. I hope Rodgers plays 2 up front from now until he leaves - whenever that maybe.
