London – Victor Moses has arrived at Anfield with a twinkle in his eye and a stark warning: Liverpool are ready to win the Premier League title.
For a club that has failed to win it for 23 years, that’s quite an assertion.
Indeed, 1990 was some year. There was the reunification of Germany, the release of Nelson Mandela, the Gulf War and the end of Margaret Thatcher’s time as Prime Minister.
Michael Knighton was doing keepy-uppies on the Old Trafford pitch as Manchester United finished 13th.
Liverpool’s title win in May was their 10th in 15 years and Moses was born in the December. That means he’s never seen Liverpool win the title, so why the confidence?
“Look at the way we have started so well,” Moses explained, speaking to Daily Mail at a launch event for EA SPORTS FiFA 14. “We’re still unbeaten and there are enough quality players here to win the Premier League.
“A lot of people are saying Liverpool can be in the top four, but we believe in ourselves. We are confident we can be looking beyond the top four.”
Top of the table after three wins and a draw, and with last season’s 30-goal talisman Luis Suarez – described by Moses as a “top lad and an amazing striker” – still to return, the winger may not be alone in wondering whether this could be Liverpool’s time.
He said: “This year is a lot different. If you look at the way the table is at the moment, anyone can win the league. It’s not only about two teams, so why not Liverpool?”
Moses is with Liverpool on a season’s loan from Chelsea, but this is not the first time he has linked up with Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers.
Their relationship can be traced back almost eight years to when a 14-year-old Moses was at Crystal Palace and Rodgers was manager of the Chelsea academy.
“I’ve known the gaffer from when I was 14 and he wanted me to go to Chelsea,” revealed Moses. “We had a chat and I was expected to move there. He phoned and I told him I was going to go.’
Moses breaks into a boyish grin and begins to giggle: “But then I had another think about it and didn’t turn up.
“I just didn’t go. I didn’t ring him or anything, I just didn’t go and stayed at Palace.
“I thought there was no point going to a bigger club like that and not getting in the first team, not playing.’
So has the manager forgiven Moses for his indecision?
“I think so!” said Moses, smiling. “I was still little then. It was schoolboy stuff. I was 14. I started playing in the first team when I was 16 at Palace and I started playing in games against the gaffer’s teams.
“I played against Reading and then Swansea so I played against him twice. I think I scored against them the second time as well! He didn’t mention it. He let me off! Now it’s my chance to pay him back for the respect he’s shown in coming for me again.”
*Victor Moses appears in EA SPORTS FIFA 14, out on September 27
Daily Mail