Liverpool FC, known as one of the most successful football teams in English football history, haven’t won the league title for 29 years. During that time, they have come close on several occasions, but this season, it looks like they may finally end their long silverware drought.
German manager Jurgen Klopp has revolutionised the team’s style of play, adding the defensive steel of Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk to the ruthless attack of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. So, can the Reds get themselves over the line?
The Run-In
Liverpool is currently top of the Premier League and has already played their closest challenger, Manchester City, twice. This means that they have a substantial advantage in the title race; no team at this stage has ever let such a lead slip. On paper, their toughest remaining fixtures are a trip to Old Trafford to face a resurgent Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as well as Anfield games against Tottenham Hotspur, currently in third, and Chelsea.
The Blues famously put paid to Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool title challenge in 2013/14. After 10 wins on the spin, the Reds were firm favourites to lift the Premier League trophy, but a slip by captain Steven Gerrard let in Demba Ba and Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners. Of course, everyone at Anfield will be determined not to let that kind of thing happen again.
Of course, no games in the Premier League are easy, but, so far, Liverpool has won every game they’ve played against teams outside of the top six. Dropping points against the likes of West Ham, Bournemouth or Burnley, for example, would be a huge shock.
Distractions
The significant risk that Liverpool run is if they match last season’s achievement of reaching the Champions League final. While reaching football’s showpiece event is undoubtedly something every fan looks forward to, this season Liverpool may want to prioritise the league over everything else. A two-legged tie against Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16 will be a tough test, and Klopp will have to rotate his squad if he wants to avoid any potential season-altering injuries. If you’re going to get an injury checked out click here to book a virtual doctor’s appointment.
While Liverpool’s squad is deeper than it has been in recent years, a severe injury to Alisson, van Dijk or Salah could prove pivotal.
It’s worth mentioning that City is still in all four competitions so Liverpool may be hoping it is they who run out of steam, as the fixtures start to pile up.
Conclusion
Liverpool has never had a better chance to win the Premier League in its current guise. If they keep up the form they’ve set in the first half of the season, the red side of Merseyside will erupt with joy come May.
