Is Liverpool’s title bid now over?

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes his team have now blown their title chances after surrendering a three goal lead at Palace to draw 3-3

The Premier League title race took another twist last night as Liverpool drew 3-3 at Crystal Palace.

The Reds had a seemingly comfortable three goal lead until the last ten minutes when three quick-fire goals dealt Liverpool a terrible blow in the title race.

Devastated

Dwight Gayle’s 89^th minute goal was an absolute devastating blow for everybody connected with Liverpool.

As soon as the third Palace goal went in it every Liverpool’s players shoulders dropped and it seemed like they knew it at that moment the title had gone.

At the end of the game star striker Luis Suarez put his shirt over his head and looked to be in tears, as Reds captain Steven Gerrard pulled him away from the cameras.The Uruguayan striker knew that the two lost points could cost the Reds the title come next weekend.

Naïve

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has done a fantastic job at Anfield, but he showed his inexperience and was slightly naïve in the Palace game. Instead of shutting up shop, the former-Swansea boss decided to attempt to keep attacking and add to their goal difference.

By trying to increase their goal difference, the Reds lost two points and their boss has to take some responsibility for it. Hopefully it will be learning curve for Rodgers and his team. Rodgers is a rookie boss compared to a lot of his peers in the top-flight and is likely to make mistakes along the way.

The old saying that you learn more in defeat, or this case a draw, than victory could stand Rodgers in good stead for the future.

Incredible

For Liverpool to even be in the Premier League title race this season is incredible. Last season the Reds finished seventh in the Premier League table and people were not rushing out to back Rodgers side for the title in this campaign.

However, with virtually the same set of players as last season, Brendan Rodgers has his team challenging for the Premier League. That in its self is admirable and the Northern Irishman deserves credit for that achievement.

Rodgers has his team playing superb attacking football and scoring goals for fun. Unfortunately for Liverpool this season that has meant conceding goals for fun at the back as well.

Shaky

To say the Liverpool defence is shaky would be an understatement. The Reds have one of the worst defensive records in the half of the table, never mind the top six. Rodgers team have conceded 49 goals this season, more than 15^th place Hull.

Centre-back Martin Skrtel has been very effective at finding the net this season, but at times has been found lacking in his defensive duties. Danish centre-back Daniel Agger has been inconsistent, while summer signing Mamadou Sakho is still finding his feet in the Premier League.

Everybody connected with the Reds will know that their defence needs improving this summer, whether they claim the title or not. The likes of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are fantastic, but the Reds cannot always rely on their strikers to outscore the opposition.

Rodgers Swansea team were never as poor at the back, so it is not necessarily the style of player of the team, but the players playing in the system. Signing at least one new centre-back has to be Liverpool’s top priority this summer.

Over

Although Manchester City still have two games to play, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted defeat in the title race. Asked if he thought the title race was now lost, Rodgers told Sky Sports: “Yes, I think we needed to win tonight to keep the pressure on.

“Manchester City, they have got two home games now, two tough games, but we needed to win it. I think Manchester City will go on and win their two games and they will be champions.

“But for us it’s been an outstanding season up until now. For us to get 81 points, it’s a great achievement. We’re obviously disappointed now but we’ll go again. We have got a great game at Anfield now to finish the season and we’ll keep looking to build and develop what we’re doing.”

Liverpool are now odds of 8/1 to claim the Premier League title. Rodgers is right, the Reds have enjoyed an outstanding season, played good football and I think most Liverpool fans would have been happy with a top-four finish at the start of the campaign.

Proud

Liverpool still have a chance of claiming the title, as it is possible that Manchester City could still slip-up in their final two games, it does look unlikely at the moment though.

However, even if Liverpool does not claim the Premier League title this season their fans should be proud of their team’s efforts. The Reds have come on leaps and bounds this season under Rodgers and have given big spending Manchester City a good run for their money.

The future looks bright for the Reds under their highly-rated young boss, but Reds fans would be forgiven for wondering what might have been and that their team have missed a golden opportunity to claim their first top-flight title in 24 years.

Is Liverpool’s title bid now over?