When it comes to masterpieces, the portrait of the 2013-14 Premier League season will not be hanging in a gallery of any prestige. Teams one through twenty competing in Englands top flight are each fatally flawed. A wide-open, highly competitive and mistake-filled season has followed. Its all been very entertaining. But near perfection from any team has been only but a dream. Through the mess of inconsistent play, its Liverpool FC shining brightest. With just four games to go, Liverpool looks set to win their first top flight league title since 1989-90. Liverpool controls its own destiny; a situation entirely far-fetched even just months ago. Who knew all it would take was the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson for Liverpool to fly back towards their perch. Even in retirement Ferguson warned of Liverpools potential. The Fergie kryptonite is no more. The beauty of imperfection; its the ideal way to describe Liverpools season. The team play, the goals, and the tempo – its been beautiful to watch. But through all the beauty are an abundance of flaws. Defensively, the team remains a mess, on pace to concede more goals than any Premier League Champion in its 22-year history. The squad leaves much to be desired, having holes that would make Swiss cheese envious. None of the shortcomings are a bother to Liverpool supporters, but it will be reasonable to question whether long-term, continued success is sustainable at Anfield. Those questions will be asked and answered another day. So how has this come to be? How has Liverpool made the meteoric jump from lesser like to the top of the pile? Confidence is a funny thing. Subtle moves have paid dividends, no more than the acquisition of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. The Belgian has conceded a number of head-scratching goals, but they have been far outweighed by his stabilizing demeanor, bringing belief to a vulnerable and ever-changing back four. His goals-against average doesnt flatter, but his influence does. Young players have also emerged, but its been a snowball effect. Confidence is contagious. The team has remained on the same page through transfer window rumour turmoil, leaks in defence and multiple injuries at key positions. The successful formula has been entirely impressive. Liverpool doesnt experience the lulls in matches typical to Manchester City. Nor do they rely on the negative approach of Chelsea. And they certainly dont encounter the tactical brain cramps of Arsenal. Other teams may have better players, more talent and higher payrolls. But none have the team spirit and belief of Liverpool. No matter how, the fact remains title contending football has returned to Merseyside. Commitment to team play and consistency in approach no matter the formation has culminated in a 10 game winning streak and a two-point cushion atop the table. Credit the manager Brendan Rodgers, who in less than two years has transformed his team from long-ball fiends to a group confident with the ball on the ground with the best off the ball movement in the Premier League. The shredding of the Manchester City backline Sunday in a back and forth 3-2 victory is testament to the confidence within the team and commitment to playing well-balanced, attractive football. Capitalizing on mistakes is part of it; no team has been more advantageous than Rodgers men, scoring an incredible 93 goals. Phillipe Coutinhos 76th minute winner was product of a Vincent Kompany gaffe, rather than any superior ball movement that has become commonplace for the Reds. But the cool finish by the Brazilian is trademark of this years team; calm, cool and collected in front of goal. The scenes at the final whistle were as memorable as the game itself, with longtime captain and inspirational leader Steven Gerrard emotionally addressing his teammates in huddle. The finish line is there to be seen. Gerrard will be relied to navigate across the line through potential rough waters. Norwich City lay ahead on the weekend. A trip to Carrow Road will not scare, even without Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge available. Luis Suarez has scored 11 goals in five meetings against Norwich, and the Canaries are on a run of form as dire as any in the league. Typically, this weekends fixture would scream let-down game for Liverpool. Especially after a week thats been a roller coaster ride of emotions, from the win against City through the 25th anniversary services commemorating the 96 lives lost in the Hillsborough tragedy. Its all been a deeply moving and mentally exhausting week: from reflection to justice. 25 years of pain and anguish for the club, families and friends involved in the tragedy. At the same time but altogether much different, 25 years of an alternative kind of pain from inferior results by their beloved team on the field. Liverpool has remained a worldwide marketing force as one of Europes most decorated clubs. The ability to compete without a new stadium, against the financial giants of the Premier League has left Liverpool secondary citizens in a league they used to dominate. That is until now. The old flame is back. The belief. The winning attitude. Citys money, Chelseas Chosen One, Arsenals big city charm, and previous dominance of United are secondary for now. The feelings of 25 years are back for all the right reasons. Liverpools 2005 Champions League glory was a small reminder of where the club had come from. A Premier League title in 2013-14 would mean so much more. Through the beauty of imperfection, Liverpool is almost there. Other Musings - Crystal Palace looked relegation bound mere months ago. Now they are flying, winning four straight, look safe from relegation and a playing a big role in the title race. Palace dealt Everton a crucial blow towards Champions League qualification, going to Goodison Park and beating the upstart Toffees 3-2. Jason Puncheon has emerged a scoring machine and true difference maker in the Palace midfield. You have to feel good for Puncheon, who had trouble getting over a horrible penalty miss against Spurs in January. From embarrassment to electric play, Puncheon has been fantastic. Manager Tony Pulis has got Palace playing in the mold of his former club, Stoke City. Palace is big, strong, determined and out-work virtually every team they play. Joel Wards defending has been outstanding, and the January additions of Scott Dann and Joe Ledley have been massive. Palace has a huge role to play, with a fixture against Liverpool at Selhurst Park ahead. The May 5th result will go a long way to determining who will be Champion. - Was Saturdays FA Cup semifinal shootout victory the moment that keeps Arsene Wenger at Arsenal? The Gunners were pushed to the brink by FA Cup holders Wigan, in a match lacking requisite commitment by the London-side until late. The over-the-top end of game celebration showed what the result meant for a club without meaningful silverware since 2005. The trophy drought is unacceptable for any club of Arsenals magnitude. Wengers 4th place is a win mentality shouldnt sit well either. But that doesnt mean he shouldnt be back at the club for another season. A proper succession plan is required for a club with a vision dominated by one figure for the better part of two decades. Manchester United was ill equipped to deal with Fergusons sudden departure. Arsenal should be thinking long-term and plan accordingly for what post-Wenger life at the Emirates will look like. The finances are in good order. But a new footballing vision would be welcomed. A new short-term deal is preferable for Wenger with a proper plan how to proceed in place. A knee-jerk decision on Wengers future is the last thing the club needs. - Its time for Jose Mourinho to shine. Enough downplaying his teams chances of winning the league. Chelsea is right in the mix. A win at Anfield would put Mourinhos men in pole position for the title. The problem: the Liverpool fixture is sandwiched between Chelseas Champions League semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid. How Mourinho manages his side and the tactical approach will be critical. While he can play a conservative, defensive approach in the first leg at Atletico, similar tactics will not be suffice for the trip to Liverpool. He will have to open things up and play to win at Anfield; something his team hasnt done on away travels this season in the Premier League. The next fortnight will test all Mourinho brings to the table to see if he can get the most of his squad thats still in transition. Gareth Wheeler@WheelerTSNgareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca Chandler Hutchison Bulls Jersey . The Brazilian driver had the second-best time in last months tests at Jerez and said the "good start" could play to his advantage when the season gets underway in Australia in March. Dennis Rodman Jersey . A lawmaker is hoping the buzz from California Chromes run for the Triple Crown might build support for a bill that would place the U. http://www.officialbullsfanstore.com/. - First-timer Chris Harris Jr. Zach LaVine Bulls Jersey . As their best player continued to orchestrate his dramatic exit from the club, the Whitecaps added size and creativity at Thursdays Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Michael Jordan Jersey .cas NHL Play of the Year showdown continues today with a man whos spent most of his career on highlight reels and a goalie actually "reaching back" for a save.PITTSBURGH -- The weary Chicago Cubs bullpen needed a break. New manager Rick Renteria needed a win. Jason Hammel did a pretty solid job providing both. The veteran right-hander pitched two-hit ball into the seventh inning and the Cubs edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Thursday for their first victory of the season. "I didnt think it was going to be such a relief but it is quite a relief," Renteria said. "Its nice to win. These games were tough. Taking the last one was very gratifying." Particularly considering the first two were so draining. The Cubs lost in 10 innings on opening day and in 16 innings on Wednesday night -- actually, early Thursday morning -- in a 5-hour, 55-minute marathon that marked the longest Major League Baseball game (by time anyway) ever held in Pittsburgh. Hammel and four relievers needed only 2:39 to help the Cubs avoid their first 0-3 start since 1997, when the club lost 14 straight to begin the season. The 31-year-old Hammel allowed one run in 6 2-3 innings with one walk and five strikeouts. "He couldnt have been any better," Renteria said of Hammel. "He got to 97 pitches, got us into the seventh inning to help save the bullpen. He worked through a pretty good lineup pretty easily." The Cubs signed Hammel to a one-year, $6 million contract in February hoping he can provide some stability in the middle of the rotation. He was sharp in his Chicago debut, allowing singles in the first and third innings but otherwise keeping the Pirates in check. "We played three great games here," Hammel said. "There is no reason to hang our heads because we only won one. We played great but it looks like were going to be one-run warriors. Youve got to win these type of games and we did. We got some timely hits, good defence and played well for 27 outs." Emilio Bonifacio went 2 for 4 and scored twice to continue his torrid start. The Chicago centre fielder hit 11 for 16 (.688) during the opening three-game series.dddddddddddd Mike Olt hit the first home run of his career for the Cubs. Tony Sanchez hit a two-run single in the seventh for the Pirates but Pittsburgh couldnt put together its first 3-0 start since 2007. Wandy Rodriguez (0-1) struggled early in his first start in 10 months but settled down late. The left-hander allowed three runs on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts. He retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced after missing most of 2013 with tightness in his left forearm. "(Rodriguez) finished up very efficiently, very strong, a very good outing," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "A big confidence boost for him and a momentum builder." After slogging through 26 innings in the first two games of the series, things moved a bit more briskly on a cold, wet day at PNC Park thanks in part to a pair of pitchers who werent in the mood to nibble at the plate. Hammel left the seventh after walking Neil Walker with two outs. Pittsburgh took advantage of another shaky performance from Chicagos bullpen with Sanchez -- who provided the walkoff hit on Wednesday -- smacking a two-run single up the middle off Justin Grimm to pull the Pirates within a run. Pittsburgh put the tying run on base leading off both the eighth and ninth, but Strop got Sanchez to line into a game-ending double play. NOTES: Renteria said the club will wait to decide whether RHP Carlos Villanueva will make his scheduled start on Sunday against Philadelphia. Villanueva pitched 1 1-3 innings and took the loss on Wednesday night. ... The Cubs open the 100th season at Wrigley Park on Friday against the Phillies. Travis Wood starts for Chicago against Roberto Hernandez. ... The Pirates open a three-game series on Friday against defending NL Central champion St. Louis. Gerrit Cole, who took the loss in Game 5 of the NL division series against the Cardinals last year, starts for Pittsburgh against Shelby Miller. ' ' '