Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool's resurgence: False dawn, or are they on the march?
Liverpool are heading into familiar territory. A rousing end to the campaign means the expectations that supporters are harbouring for next season are in danger of running away.[LNB]After watching Birmingham being demolished 5-0 with a performance that was a throwback to a different era, the majority of a capacity crowd headed home daring to dream what might be possible under Kenny Dalglish in the next 12 months with the right investment.[LNB] High hopes: Liverpool fans were treated to a five-star performance at Anfield against Birmingham[LNB]Such giddy feelings, though, are nothing new. Since the championship resided at Anfield in 1990, there have been occasions when Liverpool have signed off for the summer being touted as the team to beat, but ended up fluffing their lines.[LNB] Hat-trick hero: Maxi Rodriguez scored three goals in a Premier League game for the first time[LNB]The class of 1996 under Roy Evans lacked discipline to make the final step, dreadful signings in 2002 cost Gerard Houllier's squad, while the wheels came off in 2009 after Rafa Benitez's Liverpool finished second with a club record 86 points.[LNB]History suggests, then, they will flatter to deceive but Dirk Kuyt, scorer of the second goal on Saturday, believes this renaissance has genuine substance.[LNB][LNB]LEARNING FROM PAST MISTAKES After finishing runners-up to Manchester United in 2009, Benitez sold Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid and bought a poor replacement in Alberto Aquilani. Liverpool's then board also failed to provide the funds for Benitez to buy a striker to ease the burden on Fernando Torres.[LNB] Remember me? The sale of Xabi Alonso was a dagger to the heart of Liverpool's momentum [LNB]'Maybe we are better placed now and we have learnt from 2009 when we lost Xabi,' said Kuyt. 'When we were really close then, I had the same feeling as I do now: a few good signings and we will be right up there.'[LNB][LNB]MOMENTUM It is only a matter of time before Dalglish has his position made permanent and that will maintain the positive feelings sweeping through club during the summer.[LNB]'We have beaten Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and drawn at Arsenal,' Kuyt explained. 'The future looks a lot brighter than it was seven or eight months ago.'[LNB][LNB]YOUTH, QUALITY AND EXPERIENCE The display against Birmingham had everything a manager could want. Senior players like Kuyt, Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina performing with aplomb, big-money signing Luis Suarez thrilling the crowd and novices John Flanagan and Jack Robinson not putting a foot out of place. The win, without injured Steven Gerrard and Andy Carroll, made it all the more pleasing.[LNB] Wise old head: Youngsters have been able to flourish thanks to the experience of Jamie Carragher alongside[LNB]'In Luis and Andy we have two top quality players,' said Kuyt. 'But with the young lads, things are much more promising. If we can add a few other good players, we can compete with the best next season.' [LNB][LNB]HARMONY The factionalism in the dressing room has gone, the apathy on the terraces has been banished and even those players on the periphery - like Rodriguez and Joe Cole, who completed the scoring - are making contributions. No wonder the manager is satisfied.[LNB] Harmony: Every Liverpool goal was celebrated as popularly as the last[LNB]'I thought it was fantastic the way they celebrated Joe's goal in the same way they celebrated Maxi's goals,' said Dalglish. 'They shared in his enjoyment and that is good for us to have it in the squad.' [LNB][LNB]THE INFLUENCE OF THE KING Dalglish still has 'nothing to say' about what the future holds for him, so perhaps the last word should go to Alex McLeish, his former international colleague.[LNB] Respect: The players have been rejuvenated by the appointment of Kenny Dalglish[LNB]'Kenny has put a smile on everyone's face,' said McLeish, who put Birmingham's dire performance down to a one-off. 'He has got an aura about him, players are respectful of him and he is back with a bang. I cannot see him not getting the job.' [LNB] Liverpool 5 Birmingham 0: Rodriguez nets hat-trick as Reds thump BluesIt's top secret: Steven Gerrard on his idols and career high - and low - lightsPremier League match zone: All the stats, facts and fallout from Saturday's actionAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Alex McLeish, Andy Carroll, Joe Cole, Rafa Benitez, Dirk Kuyt, Gerard Houllier, Steven Gerrard Places: Birmingham, Liverpool
