Three fringe players stake a claim for first XI (ESPN article)

by Dave Usher for ESPN

A week ago, Liverpool slipped to fourth in the table after an utterly abject defeat at Hull City. As is often said, however, a week can be a long time in football, and nine goals, six points and two wins later the Reds have somewhat surprisingly found themselves back in second spot. The failings of others have contributed to that of course, but Liverpool have certainly done their bit and the performance in the 4-1 win over West Ham United on Saturday was one of their most impressive displays of the season.

The Premier League table is suddenly looking quite healthy again from a Liverpool perspective. It would be looking considerably better if they hadn't lost at Hull, but the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea are helping to ensure such slip ups are not proving as costly as they might. For Liverpool to fully make up for last week's shock defeat they will have to pick up a win at one of the tougher venues they will be visiting over the next few weeks, but at least the home form is looking sound. It seems as though whenever a side from outside the top six or seven visits Anfield they leave having been hit for three, four or five. The away form is an obvious concern, but in front of the Kop at least, Liverpool are becoming increasingly prolific as both Norwich and West Ham will attest to.

As expected, the Hammers came to defend and to hopefully nick something from a set-piece. Last season they had defended well and returned to London with a point following a goalless draw and as half-time approached in this one they were once again holding firm. Then Guy Demel unfortunately put through his own net and relieved some of the tension that was building in the crowd. That stroke of good fortune was no more than Liverpool deserved in truth, it's difficult when the opposition often has all eleven players behind the ball but the Reds had passed the ball well and had created some good openings. Unfortunately, the finish was rarely up to the standard of the approach play, with Raheem Sterling the chief culprit.

It's difficult to be too critical of the youngster when he performs as positively as this though. Ok, his finishing left a lot to be desired, but this was the Raheem Sterling that burst onto the scene a little over a year ago; bright, positive, pacey, exciting and direct. The only thing missing was a goal and this was an encouraging display from the young man on the day before his 19th birthday.

Sterling was one of three fringe players to lay down a marker for a regular place in the side, and that has to be good news for Brendan Rodgers as far too often that hasn't happened, causing the Reds boss to bemoan the lack of depth in his squad.

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