‘World War 3 will stop us watching Liverpool’
I WAS browsing social media when I came across an internet meme which stated: “Donald Trump is starting World War 3 so that we don’t have to watch Liverpool win the League”.
In addition to this, Manchester United-aligned unofficial social media accounts have been regularly claiming that Liverpool’s best signing has not been Mohamed Salah or Virgil Van Dijk but rather the Video Assistant Referee which is popularly known as VAR.
Liverpool are 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League standings with a game in hand over second-place Leicester City. It is now a mere formality for Jurgen Klopp’s side to win their first Premier League title, something few can deny they deserve. The Manchester United online troll army will, however, not give the Reds an easy time until the end of the season. They will in all probability continue even after Liverpool have won the title, such is their intense hatred of anything associated with the Kop.
The jokes hinting that Liverpool has an influence over VAR increased after Jurgen Klopp’s side edged Wolves 1-0 on December 29. Klopp’s side were strongly tested by a spirited Wolves side on the night and Nuno’s side controversially had an equaliser cancelled out by VAR after the goal was initially awarded.
On the other end of the table, the relegation battle will become intense during the next few weeks and it is difficult to predict who will ultimately go down this season.
The points difference between 6th-placed Tottenham Hotspur and 18th-placed Bournemouth is just 10 points, meaning that a poor run of form from any of the 12 clubs separating the two sides could see them thrown into the relegation quagmire.
Among these 12 clubs are Everton and Arsenal who are among the select few clubs that have never been relegated from the top-flight.
From the three team who are in the relegation zone, namely Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich City, the Canaries in last place look like being the only side who will probably go down this season.
They are several points adrift of safety and are without a win in the League dating back 9 games.
Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester all look certain to claim top four finishes as 13 points separate Manchester City in third place from fifthplaced Manchester United.
Chelsea, however, do face a strong test to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Frank Lampard’s troops have been struggling for consistency during recent weeks and are just five points clear of fifth-placed United and six ahead of Tottenham who are in seventh place.
UPCOMING PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES FRIDAY JANUARY 10 Sheffield United v West Ham
9.50pm on SuperSport 3) on SuperSport 3);
4.50pm on SuperSport 5); (Live from 4.55pm on SuperSport 8) on SuperSport 3)
(Live from 6.20pm on SuperSport 3)
(Live from
SATURDAY JANUARY 11 Crystal Palace v Arsenal Chelsea v Burnley Everton v Brighton Leicester City v
(Live from 2.20pm (Live from
(Live on SuperSport 3); 4.50pm on SuperSport 5); from 4.50pm on SuperSport 11); (Live from 4.50pm on SuperSport 6); (Live from 4.50pm
(Live from
Southampton Manchester United v Norwich Chelsea v Burnley Wolves v Newcastle SUNDAY JANUARY 12 Bournemouth vs Watford Aston Villa v Manchester City
(Live from 3.50pm