Has the Transfer Window Effected Betting Odds for Liverpool in the Premier League?

It seems strange to talk about the current odds for winning the Premier League, with Liverpool having won all but one of their 25 games to date and opened up a record-breaking 22-point lead over second-place Manchester City.

As a result, Liverpool are now priced at an average of 1/1000 to win the league, and you can find all the information here required to make an informed choice and review a wider range of betting markets.

Interestingly, the Reds have seen their odds of winning the league fall further during the January transfer window, having won all 6 EPL games during this period and signed the talented Japanese winger Takumi Minamino for a paltry £7.25 million from Red Bull Salzburg.

But did the transfer window impact Liverpool’s odds of winning the Premier League in any other ways, and are the Reds already looking ahead to next season?

The Signing of Minamino and Inactivity Elsewhere

Interestingly, Premier League Clubs’ total spend reached £230 million this January, which was considerably more than the £180 million spent last year and the second-highest ever since the EPL began in 1992.

However, the teams that still have at least a mathematical chance of overhauling the Reds and remain closest to Liverpool in the EPL table (including defending champions Manchester City) failed to spend much at all during the winter transfer window, strengthening Jurgen Klopp’s sides odds of winning the title in the process.

This came as a particular surprise in the case of City, as while manager Pep Guardiola is not especially keen on the notion of buying players mid-season, his squad lacks defensive options following the departure of former skipper Vincent Kompany last summer.

The Citizens have certainly been deficient at the back this season, having shipped more goals in 25 games than they did during the whole of the previous campaign (29).

A long-term injury to the exceptional Aymeric Laporte has also hindered City’s chances of success, so the decision not to buy a talented and seasoned centre-back (even on a temporary basis) surely represents a significant oversight.

In the case of third-place Leicester City (who are currently 26 points adrift of Liverpool), manager Brendan Rodgers was only able to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Ryan Bennett on a short-term loan.

While the 29-year old will add depth to the Foxes’ squad and can be signed permanently for as little as £5 million in the summer, he may not be an immediate starter and is unlikely to have any direct impact on the outcome of the title.

Chelsea experienced an even worse window, as while manager Frank Lampard was keen on bringing in additional forward options (and particularly a centre-forward), he was unable to complete any deals before January 31st.

While the former midfield legend may feel a little better having agreed a £36 million fee for the signing of Ajax star Hakim Ziyech, the Moroccan won’t join until the summer and will be unable to influence the final matches of the 2019/20 season.

With the Red’s closest rivals unable to make any significant signings or address the various deficiencies in the squads, it’s increasingly unlikely that they’ll have the impetus to sustain a late assault on the summit and challenge for the title.

Are Liverpool Already Planning for Next Season?

With 12 games remaining, Liverpool require just five more wins to confirm their first top-flight title for 30 years, and this seems like a foregone conclusion given that they’re unbeaten in 42 league games and have won 33 of their last 34 matches in the EPL.

This explains the club’s incredibly short title winning odds, while it may also offer Liverpool and their manager Klopp a unique opportunity to begin building towards the following season ahead of their rivals.

In this respect, Liverpool may also be able to improve their odds of winning the EPL title next season, and the Merseyside club have already been linked with a raft of stars to help them continue their domination in 2020/21.

Most of the current speculation is focused on RB Leipzig and Germany forward Timo Werner, who at 23 is developing into one of the best young strikers in Europe.

He has plundered 86 goals in 143 outings for Leipzig, for example, while his return of 25 goals in 29 appearances this season stands comparison with any of his contemporaries.

It’s also thought that Liverpool are keen to complete a quick deal, with reports suggesting that Werner has a £51 million release clause in his contract (which is apparently active until April).

Another player thought to be high on Liverpool’s list of transfer targets is Manchester-born Jadon Sancho, who continues to excel at Borussia Dortmund and has plundered 12 goals and provided 13 assists in 19 appearances this season.

According to some sources, Liverpool have already made contact with Dortmund chiefs, although a valuation in excess of £100 million and serious competition from other elite clubs in Europe (including Manchester United) may complicate any future deal.

With former playmaker and fans’ favourite Phillippe Coutinho also likely to be sold by Barcelona in the summer, the Reds have been linked with a possible move for the Brazilian with his valuation mooted at around £67 million if reports are to be believed.

This would definitely add a thrilling dimension to the Reds’ midfield, while covering the void likely to be left by Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer.

The Last Word

Ultimately, it would have taken a truly special transfer window to dramatically derail Liverpool’s title charge or lengthen their odds considerably, but the month of January passed relatively serenely for the Red’s rivals.

In fact, the inactivity of sides like Manchester City and Liverpool’s signing of the tricky Minamino actually saw the Red’s title odds shorten last month, while the relentless form of Klopp’s side has also had an impact on bookmakers.

With a first title for 30 years now all but confirmed, both Liverpool and bookies are already turning their attention to the next campaign and planning for the new season.