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Liverpool won't break Man City's points record or match Arsenal's Invincibles

By Bez from The Happy Mondays lookalike Mark Ogden Senior Writer, ESPN FC (Man Utd Fan shocked

Jan 17 2020

It has taken almost 30 years, but Liverpool are finally on course to become English league champions this season for the first time since 1990. Jurgen Klopp's team go into Sunday's clash with Manchester United at Anfield with a 14-point lead at the top of the Premier League table -- and with a game in hand, no less. They have won 20 of their 21 league games so far this season. Only Manchester United, at Old Trafford in October, have been able to take points off Liverpool during the 2019-20 campaign, and nobody has been able to beat them.

This is a case of when, not if, they lift the Premier League trophy. But how many records are they capable of breaking?

Can they surpass Manchester City's record 100-point mark and the 19-point winning margin set by Pep Guardiola's team in 2017-18? Can they emulate Arsenal's 2003-04 Invincibles by winning the title without suffering a defeat? Can they secure the most league wins -- Man City with 32 in 2017-18 is the best -- and claim the most away points by eclipsing City's haul of 50 during the same season? And can they smash City's record by hitting more than 106 goals in a league season?

With 17 games to play, and 51 points still available, we analysed Liverpool's run-in to assess what Klopp's men can achieve this season.

Sunday: Manchester United (H)
Prediction: WIN


Liverpool have gone 51 home games without defeat in the Premier League, a run stretching back to April 2017. Although clashes against United are traditionally unpredictable, Liverpool's attacking qualities should expose the visitors' shaky defence. United have pace and quality up front, however, so if they score first, it could lead to a shock result. But we're not betting on it.

Jan. 23: Wolves (A)
Prediction: DRAW


Wolves have established themselves as one of the leading sides in the Premier League under coach Nuno Espirito Santo, and they have the quality to stop the Liverpool juggernaut at Molineux. With Champions League qualification still within their grasp, Wolves need the points from this game more than Liverpool, so expect a hard-fought clash that ends with a share of the points.

Jan. 29: West Ham (A)
Prediction: WIN


When the top teams visit West Ham, they usually enjoy the wide-open spaces at the London Stadium. It's difficult to think David Moyes will devise a game plan capable of nullifying the front three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino; after all, much better teams have tried and failed. What's more, Moyes' record against the big clubs is miserable enough. It's the perfect match in which Liverpool can pad their goals tally.

Feb. 1: Southampton (H)
Prediction: WIN


Ralph Hasenhuttl has inspired a remarkable recovery at Southampton since his team suffered their humiliating 9-0 home defeat against Leicester in October. But while the man dubbed the "Alpine Klopp" has given Saints a great chance of survival, he's unlikely to regard this trip to Anfield as anything other than a damage-limitation exercise.

Feb. 15: Norwich (A)
Prediction: WIN


Norwich stunned the football world when they beat Manchester City at Carrow Road in September, but the result proved to be an outlier. Daniel Farke's team are rock-bottom of the Premier League and face a nasty relegation battle. Liverpool, meanwhile, have scored 16 goals in their past four visits to Norwich. This will be another messy 90 minutes for the Canaries.

Feb. 24: West Ham (H)
Prediction: WIN


Moyes has never guided a team to victory at Anfield, and few would expect him to end his dismal record against Liverpool in this game. Expect another big Liverpool victory.

Feb. 29: Watford (A)
Prediction: DRAW


Watford have begun to find form under new manager Nigel Pearson, but they will still need points in their bid to stave off relegation when Liverpool travel to Vicarage Road. On paper, this is a game Klopp & Co. will be expected to win. We're going to play the contrarian here: Watford are a dangerous outfit good enough to snatch a draw and cause Liverpool to drop points.

March 7: Bournemouth (H)
Prediction: WIN


Bournemouth have never won at Anfield, so don't expect Eddie Howe's team to end that sorry record in this game despite their battle for points to avoid relegation. This will be a straightforward win for Liverpool.

March 14: Everton (A)
Prediction: DRAW


If results go their way and their rivals continue to drop points, there's an outside chance Liverpool could clinch the title at Goodison Park in March. But with or without the prospect of Liverpool ending their 30-year wait in their neighbours' backyard, Everton will be determined to halt their rivals' march to the title. New manager Carlo Ancelotti should have imposed his methods on Everton by this stage, so expect a fierce draw.

March 21: Crystal Palace (H)
Prediction: DRAW


Some teams just have an edge on others, and in recent seasons, Crystal Palace have become something of a bogey side for Liverpool. They are the most recent team to win a league game at Anfield, when Christian Benteke scored twice in a 2-1 win in April 2017, and they famously fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Selhurst Park in a game that all but ended Liverpool's title dream in 2014. Crystal Palace won't end the dream this time, but they will delay the title celebrations by claiming a point in this one.

April 4: Manchester City (A)
Prediction: LOSE


A team of great champions will always want to make their challengers fight every inch of the way before surrendering their title, and City will remind the world of their quality when Liverpool visit the Etihad. This is a game Guardiola's side will be desperate to win and, with the pressure beginning to ease on Liverpool as the title looms, City's desire will see them put an end to hopes of an unbeaten season.

April 11: Aston Villa (H)
Prediction: WIN


After their mini-wobble (if you can call it that), Liverpool will get back to winning ways against a Villa side struggling to avoid an instant return to the Championship. A win in this one could seal the title and, although Klopp's players will settle for winning the title anywhere, they would ideally want to wrap it up in front of their own fans at Anfield.

April 18: Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
Prediction: WIN

Graham Potter has enjoyed a successful first season in charge at Brighton, but the Seagulls are unlikely to be safe from the drop by the time Liverpool come to town. Expect a hard-fought game at the Amex Stadium. You might also want to mark your calendar: This could be the day Liverpool are crowned champions. Either way, it's another three points for the Reds.

April 25: Burnley (H)
Prediction: WIN


If the title hasn't been clinched by the time Sean Dyche's team visit Anfield, Liverpool might be suffering from a case of the jitters for this one. Burnley will be in need of points to keep them clear of the drop zone, but their winless run at Anfield dates back to September 1974. Who are we kidding: Liverpool get the points. Again.

May 2: Arsenal (A)
Prediction: LOSE


Barring a calamitous loss of form, Liverpool will travel to the Emirates as Premier League champions. But if they face Arsenal with their unbeaten record still intact, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta can expect a passionate home crowd to drive his players on to the victory that will ensure that Arsenal remain the only Invincibles of the Premier League era. Despite their defensive frailties, Arsenal still have the firepower to win this one.

May 9: Chelsea (H)
Prediction: WIN


As the final home game of the season, this will be the day Jordan Henderson becomes the first Liverpool captain since Alan Hansen in 1990 to lead the club to the league title. It will be a party day at Anfield, with Kop unlikely to allow Liverpool to do anything but secure the win that will cap a long-awaited occasion. Chelsea will need points for a top-four finish, but Liverpool will claim all three.

May 17: Newcastle (A)
Prediction: WIN


Liverpool will travel to St. James' Park as champions, and they might still have points and goals records to chase down against Steve Bruce's team. Newcastle might be in need of points to avoid relegation, but the gulf in class between the two sides will see a comfortable Liverpool win.

VERDICT:

Liverpool will win the Premier League title this season, but they will fall short of the 100-point mark. They can also forget about becoming only the third team in English football history, after Preston in 1889 and Arsenal in 2004, to become champions without losing a game.

ESPN expects Liverpool to win another 37 points this season, taking them to 98, but after waiting so long to get their hands on the Premier League trophy, they might have to wait until next year before rewriting the record books.

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Pickles Offline OP
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So Bez thinks after us going 21 Games = 20 Wins & 1 Draw against his beloved United, our next 17 Games = 11 Wins, 2 Losses and 4 Draws...hmm!

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He can be right for all I care as long as we win the title.

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nah wilkji, I want us to rub it in gobsh..ites like this faces!

He's not taken into account City's nightmare set of fixtures leading up to playing us and pending fixture congestion.

22/02/20 - PL - Leicester v Man City
26/02/20 - CL - Real Madrid v Man City
01/03/20 - Carabao Cup Final
04/03/20 - FA Cup 5th Rd
07/03/20 - PL - Man Utd v Man City
11/03/20 - PL - Man City v Arsenal (Re-arranged)
14/03/20 - PL - Man City v Burnley
17/03/20 - PL - Man City v Real Madrid
21/03/20 - FA Cup Qtr Final
27/03/20 - England International
01/04/20 - PL Chelsea v Man City (Re-arranged)
04/04/20 - PL - Man City v Liverpool

City unless a horrific collapse at home v Utd will be in The Carabao Cup Final on 01/03/20 meaning their Arsenal PL fixture that day will have to be re-arranged, likely to Wed 11/03/20. Then if City beat Fulham in FA Cup next Sunday they will play their FA Cup 5th Rd game on 04/03/20, win that and their PL Chelsea game on 21/03/20 will get re-arranged likely to 01/04/20 because there's an England Friendly v Italy on 27/03/20.

We have had injuries and still been winning with some important players back soon - Fabinho, Matip, Lovren and Keita also not forgetting we have Minamino to enter the fold. We have a stronger squad for the 2nd half of this season.

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Think the team will think more about CL when we have won the title. Can see some of our younger players then play the epl games.

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Man U fans really clutching at straws now aren't they?

So many variables left this season. We might at some point prioritise the CL if we are still in it especially if we already have the PL safely banked. That might stop us breaking some records.

If the PL is done and dusted before we play City and they are still in a battle for the CL does anyone really think they are going to prioritise beating us over the CL? If we have a tough game to play in another competition are we going to flog our players to get 3 points if we possibly need say 6 points from 8 games for the PL?

I believe that if the PL is won and other trophies are still up for grabs that we will rest players. Even then, as we have seen with squad players and youngsters stepping up, it is going to take a very good performance to beat us.

I see absolutely no point in trying to get 101 points or much more if it means binning the FA Cup or not playing our strongest team in the CL.

Also there is no point running players into the ground and then have them too jaded to start the next season. If we are fighting for more trophies we should use the squad as players coming back from injury will allow us to rest key players.

There are loads of records to be broken but none should come at the expense of missing out on another trophy.

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I'd rather win treble or double than break meaningless records.


Back to Back World Champions baby!
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No one will remember us for chasing records. Trophies are the only things we should be chasing.

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Originally Posted By Oli
Think the team will think more about CL when we have won the title. Can see some of our younger players then play the epl games.


If we win the PL too early and the games become noncompetitive, we may struggle in the CL, it often happens for the likes of Bayern & PSG when they have won their leagues by February, they struggle to raise their game for competitive games in CL QF & SF etc.

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Pickles Offline OP
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Liverpool's dominance this season is reflected in the statistics, take a look at some of these numbers:

Liverpool have taken 91 points from the last 93 available to them in the Premier League (P31 W30 D1).

Liverpool became the first team since Arsenal in 2001-02 to score in their first 22 Premier League matches of the season – the Gunners went on to score in every game and win the title that season.

Liverpool have kept seven consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since December 2006 (seven in a row).

Since the start of last season, Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has more Premier League assists than any other player (21).

They became the first English team to earn 104 points from a 38 game run in the recent 1 v 0 against Spurs.

They are the only side in Europe’s top five leagues ever to win 22 of their opening 21 matches in a season accumulating 64 points. Liverpool have averaged 2.9 points per game. That is absurd.

They are the only ever Liverpool team to go 39 league games in a row unbeaten.

16 goal scorers: Liverpool’s record run has been a total team effort. There is no one focal point for the attack. Instead, the goals come from everywhere. The stupendous front three lead the way, but goal contributions have come from all over the field. The only outfield players who have not scored in the league thus far are Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, Curtis Jones, and Harvey Elliott.

15 assists: Liverpool’s fullbacks have delivered 15 assists so far this season. Trent Alexander-Arnold has provided 9 assists to lead the team, while Andrew Robertson is second on the team with 6.

14 goals against: Liverpool’s defensive record to start the season was good, but not great. Even when controlling a game, they seemed to give up one good chance every game that their opponents converted. With the Alisson Becker back in the fold, and Joe Gomez stepping in for the injured Joel Matip, Liverpool have gone on a run of seven games where they have recorded a clean sheet. Alisson leads the league with his save percentage of .833. That’s extremely impressive, but what’s probably even more impressive is the defense has only allowed 30 shots on target while he has been in net.



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