ONE ISN’T ENOUGH...
REDS JUST TRUCKING BRILLIANT
REGULAR readers will know I was reluctant to anoint Liverpool as champions until shortly before the coronavirus pandemic broke out, despite them having such a healthy lead even around Christmas.
Before Covid-19, I always wanted them to get to the back end of April with at least a five-point advantage over Manchester City – and only then would I have been willing to go public with my belief that they’d finally do it.
I always keep in mind that injuries and suspensions can wreak havoc on any side in the run-in.
But once Liverpool got to February with such a points gap between them and Pep Guardiola’s men even I struggled to see them being stopped.
Privately, I’d begun to believe back in January, when they got past the turning of the year, and the FA Cup fourth round, with their advantage intact.
Getting out of winter and into spring was massive, and the fact they were confirmed as champions holding a 23-point lead just goes to show what kind of season Liverpool have had.
They have shown incredible consistency and been incredible under pressure, they haven’t had a massive wobble at all.
Liverpool have been an absolute juggernaut of a team.
I WILL reserve judgement on putting Jurgen Klopp’s men alongside the great Liverpool and Manchester United teams just yet.
Yes, they have won the Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup as well in the past year or so, but the reality is they have won ONE Premier League title. The same as Leicester City.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane,
Gary Neville, Graeme Souness, Sir Kenny Dalglish (left) and Alan Hansen will all tell you that you have to back up your achievements – because once you become champions you are the target.
And you are there to be shot down by every other club.
So Liverpool need to win it again, and perhaps even win three out of four, to be elevated to that elite level company.
Manchester United will be better next year, Chelsea and Manchester City as well, and they won’t be alone in looking to knock Liverpool back off their perch.