Fowler: Last summer I noticed something
Robbie Fowler traces Liverpool's promising first half of the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season back to the togetherness created within the team during the club's pre-season tour last summer.
The prolific former Reds striker joined the senior players and staff in travelling to Indonesia, Australia and Thailand in July, as part of preparations for Brendan Rodgers' second campaign in charge.
Afforded an opportunity to watch the squad, already strengthened by a quartet of signings, at close quarters on the other side of the world, Fowler noticed an important characteristic.
He revealed to Liverpoolfc.com: "I was lucky enough to go on the pre-season tour and I loved it. I noticed from day one that the togetherness is there for all to see.
"I think you have to thank Brendan Rodgers for that and give him a lot of praise. We are all fighting for the same position and want the same thing. That is a massive thing.
"When you have got great individual players, every team wants them, needs them and deserves them. But when you have a team that plays as a team, that makes everything a little bit easier."
One of the 38-year-old's other ex-clubs, Manchester City, cut short Liverpool's stay at the summit of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.
Now in fourth, the Reds face another huge challenge in the shape of Chelsea later today as they attempt to remain in contention for a Champions League qualification spot.
"I'm perfectly happy with letting Liverpool just roll along, rolling their sleeves up and getting as many points as they can," said Fowler.
"First and foremost, I want them to finish in the top four. That's all I'm looking at. I'd love them to win the league, I'd give anything for them to win the league.
"Whether the title credentials are there or not, I want them to finish in the top four and stay in the top four for the remainder of the season. Anything above third and fourth is an absolute bonus."