Liverpool need Lambert
When Mario Balotelli signed for Liverpool, there were plenty of viewpoints as to how the move would pan out.
The consensus stance was that the signing could be a masterstroke by manager Brendan Rodgers, if he could harness Balotelli’s talent and spiky temperament, especially because the fee – £16 million (Dh94.6m) – was about half the going rate for a “world-class” striker.
But Balotelli isn’t world class. Football fans have been told how good he could be, but At Inter Milan, Manchester City and AC Milan, his brilliant moments were few and far between, and he is better remembered for red cards and tantrums.
The only time he has looked like the real deal came during a string of powerful performances in leading Italy to the final of Euro 2012. But his World Cup in Brazil was woeful.
His signing is looking like a panic buy, appearing all the more impulsive by the fact that Liverpool had already planned for the departure of Luis Suarez by signing Rickie Lambert, scorer of 25 Premier League goals over the past two seasons.
Balotelli’s arrival relegated Lambert to third choice, and the latter must be wondering what he has done wrong, given that he arrived as an on-form England international.
Lambert seems the obvious solution to Balotelli’s struggles. Rodgers should give him a chance – he has had success against Premier League defences more recently than the Italian, who scored one league goal in his last season at City.
Top four runs continue
Every season, there’s a team or two that exceeds expectations early on and gets in the top four in December or January, before the big guns with larger resources rise to the top.
Southampton and West Ham are this season’s surprises, sitting second and fourth.
They may drop out of Uefa Champions League contention eventually, but it probably won’t happen in the next few months, given the way both teams are playing.
West Ham, who have beaten City and Liverpool on home turf, face Stoke, Everton, Sunderland and West Brom away, plus Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Swansea City and Leicester City at home in their next eight games.
It is not hard to envision them winning most of their home games and taking significant points on the road. Southampton face Stoke, Hull City, Leicester and Villa in their next four and will fancy their chances of taking points from Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United after that.
With Tottenham, Liverpool and United struggling, and Arsenal drawing too many games, it is not outrageous to think that West Ham or Southampton will be in Champions League contention when the league enters 2015.
Sanchez Arsenal’s wildcard
Alexis Sanchez was gifted two goals against Sunderland on Saturday, but his chipped finish for the first was a reminder of his class. Sanchez is one of the world’s best strikers, which is why Arsenal spent £32m on him from Barcelona. He hasn’t really got going in England, because most foreign players take some time to find their feet.
But if he hits form in the next month or so, he could give Arsenal’s title bid a jump start.
twoods@thenational.ae
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