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Liverpool's title challenge continued last night as Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge fired the Reds to victory over Sunderland.

The 2-1 win puts Brendan Rodgers' side second in the table - just a point behind leaders Chelsea, with just seven games left to play.

But can they go all the way and actually lift the trophy in May?

Even Brendan Rodgers is starting to soften his previous stance. "There are not too many above us now,” he said after the Sunderland win.

Every Reds fan will have everything crossed between now and May 11 that they can break their title duck - which now stretches back 24 years - but here's 11 reasons why neutral fans should also be backing the club to take the title.

1) England expects

Victory for Liverpool is victory for England. Roy Hodgson's World Cup side is likely to feature Reds a-plenty in Brazil this summer with Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson and so on. Heading to South America with in-form title winners won't harm England's pursuit of a place in the knockout stages.

2) Brit award

Brendan Rodgers represents something of a dying breed these days - successful British managers. For all the Premier League sides now looking abroad for bosses, a piece of silverware will remind others that there ARE talented managers from these shores.

(Image: Mike Hewitt)

3) They are the new entertainers

Forget Kevin Keegan's Newcastle side, Liverpool have been a joy to watch this season, blitzing sides in the first half and scoring a ridiculous amount of goals - 93 in the Premier League alone, many of them between Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, and too many corkers to mention. A neutral's delight.

4) Everyone loves the underdog

Nothing better than a surprise candidate, and now Arsenal's title charge has fizzled out, Liverpool are the final hope. It's about time an underdog triumphed.

5) Rivalry

Football is built on rivalry. It's what makes the defeats all the harder to bear and the victories all the sweeter. One of the biggest (THE biggest?) in English football is between Liverpool and Manchester United. The Old Trafford mob have had it all their own way in the Prem for the past two decades, so surely it's time the Kopites clawed back some ground?

6) They haven't simply bought their way to success

Money makes the world go round, but it doesn't half ruin the fun in football sometimes. Liverpool have spent, yes, but not half as much as the buckets of cash Chelsea and Manchester City have shelled out in recent years. Wouldn't it be nice for us all to be reminded that it's not always about the dollar?

7) Stevie G deserves a PL title

Two FA Cup medals, three League Cups, a UEFA Cup, Champions League and two Community Shields. But there is a spare spot in his personal trophy cabinet crying out for a Prem winners medal. Come on: local lad leads his home town club to title glory? That's the kind of Roy of the Rovers type story that we all dreamed of as a kid.

(Image: Getty)

8) Will hopefully result in some more 'what are they smoking?'-style tweets from John W Henry

Come on, John. You've been quiet of late.

9) Fitting tribute to the 96 on the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough

April's anniversary will be an emotional time for all connected at the club, but what better way to honour the memories of those who so tragically lost their lives than with a Premier League title win?

10) Would keep Luis Suarez in the Premier League

Surely the Uruguayan wouldn't up sticks for Real Madrid or the like if he'd just won the title, would he? And be honest - you do enjoy watching him on Match of the Day every week.

11) To see the look on Jose Mourinho's face

Something like this:

(Image: Action)