Liverpool have improved dramatically since I last wrote, which can be seen here along with my first review here. With the teams around them still picking up points at a good ratio it will be hard for Liverpool to make the all important top 4, but not impossible. Credit must go to Brendan Rodgers for turning things around, his change in formation and introducing pace into the team has worked. The team have also tightened up at the back, remarkably Simon Mignolet has as many clean sheets as Chelsea stopper Thibaut Courtois from the same amount of games played.

The change in formation to 3-4-3 has allowed players like Coutinho, Lallana, Markovic and Sterling to interchange and disrupt opposition defences. These players along with Moreno, Henderson and the returning Sturridge have pace which was so clearly lacking in the first parts of the season. This has seen Liverpool get closer to matching their playing style from last season, the excitement is back, their play is energetic, inventive and explosive. With Sturridge now back and getting closer to match fitness their will now be someone with a killer instinct with the ability to stick the ball in the net in the big games. The disappointing semi final League Cup defeat to Chelsea, where Liverpool more than matched the Champions elect highlighted the goalscoring weakness. For all the good build up play I never sensed Liverpool had the firepower to win over the two legs. With big games coming up a top 4 finish could come down to how quickly Sturridge can get back into the goal scoring groove.

In defence which has now kept 4 clean sheets on the bounce Rodgers has seemingly found a selection which he is happy with. Skrtel, Sakho and Can have played in all those clean sheets. I have been particularly impressed with Emre Can since he came into the back three. Not only does he have the power, presence and physicality to play that position, he also has the ability on the ball which is critical to Rodgers possession based game. A player that often goes unnoticed but who is hugely important is Lucas. It is no coincidence that since he has returned the defence has improved greatly.

Another plus point for Rodgers is the form of signings Lallana, Markovic, Sakho, Can and Moreno. These players are now starting to show that he was right to bring them to the club. The emergence of Jordan Ibe in the recent Derby stalemate was also encouraging.

Can Liverpool make the Champions League?

Of course Liverpool can make the Champions League, I just feel that they will fall short. Liverpools next three Premier League fixtures are Tottenham, Southampton and Manchester City, and they are still to go to Chelsea and Arsenal. If they fail to pick up reasonable points in these then they may have too much ground to make up as Manchester United, Southampton, Arsenal and Tottenham do not look like they are going to let up in their pursuit of the top 4. Sturridge will need to come back firing and this does not happen all of the time. Even Sergio Aguero has struggled in his latest return. Ultimately i think they will just fall short but the future is certainly looking better than it did a couple of months ago!

Pilly