ROBBIE Fowler does not think Liverpool’s season is as bad as it seems but expects the Reds to turn their declining English Premier League fortunes around soon.
Last season’s unexpected title challenge which saw Liverpool finish runners-up to Manchester City by two points had raised hopes that Brendan Rodgers’ side would be able to compete for honours again.
However, the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and injuries to Daniel Sturridge have seen Liverpool struggle for goals, languishing in 11th place in the table, ahead of yesterday’s match at Leicester City, though they were only five points off fourth-placed Manchester United.
“I don’t think Liverpool’s season is as bad as people are making it out to be,” said former Liverpool striker Fowler at a football coaching clinic for sponsor Standard Chartered’s priority banking clients’ children at the Kuala Lumpur FA Academy in Desa Melawati yesterday.
“It’s being compared to how good we were last year. Definitely we set the standard very high last season.
“We still have a long way to go but we are close to the quarter-finals of one cup and if we win our last Champions League group game (against Basel) we are through to the last-16.
“So it’s not all doom and gloom as far as I am concerned. I have every confidence in the manager and he’s a good manager and he’ll figure it out.
“Liverpool have got to go out and get the points to be in the Champions League and I think it’s still a good possibility we can do that. Liverpool’s poor start to the season has been attributed to the failure to adequately replace Suarez with the raft of signings in pre-season failing to hit the ground running
“Any signing, whether it is a foreign or English player, is a gamble,” said Fowler, 39. “They haven’t quite taken off yet but it’s still very early days in the season.
“Let’s not judge people on the back of a few bad results. They are all obviously talented players otherwise they wouldn’t be at Liverpool.”
Fowler also hoped Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, whose contract is up at the end of the season, will see his career out at the club where he made his senior debut 16 years ago.
“Steven’s been an unbelievable player for Liverpool,” added Fowler. “If you’re asking if I want to see Steven stay at the club, then of course.
“I like Steven as a man and as a player and for what he has achieved. I think he deserves to see his career out at Liverpool.”
Fowler also took time off his busy schedule to visit Balai Berita in Bangsar, where he obliged News Straits Times staff with photographs and numerous ‘selfies’.
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