HISTORY-MAKERS ARE HERE TO STAY
WHaTEvER happens from here, one thing is beyond doubt: Jurgen Klopp has a place in anfield’s record books. This victory — number 27 of the season — has moved Liverpool on to 88 points, eclipsing the previous Premier League best of 86 that Rafa Benitez’s squad secured in 2008-09 when they finished runners-up to Manchester United. it is a remarkable number but it is also symbolic. When Liverpool reached 86 points a decade ago, there was a feeling they had moved on to the shoulders of Sir alex Ferguson’s squad and would go past them. They had a brilliant side with a spine that was as good as anything in Europe — Pepe Reina in goal, Jamie Carragher and Daniel agger in defence, Steven gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Xabi alonso in midfield and Fernando Tor r e s leading the attack. But 86 points proved to be that team’s zenith. Before the next season, alonso was sold to Real Madrid and Liverpool lost their midfielder conductor. They lost two of their opening three games and were soon on the brink of administration. Time showed the foundations to that title challenge were built on sand. Tom Hicks and george gillett were feckless owners and left a trail of chaos. From fighting for the biggest prize, Liverpool’s next seven finishes were: seventh, sixth, eighth, seventh, second, sixth and eighth. now, wherever they finish this campaign — and the odds remain in City’s favour — it feels like this will not be the zenith of what Klopp’s team achieve.
This is a progressive team and a well-structured club and they are going somewhere.
Liverpool against Manchester City has the feel of how it was 20 years ago when United and arsenal were the pre- eminent teams in the country.
Critics will look at Klopp and say he is yet to win anything (arsene Wenger did the double within two years of his appointment at arsenal) but his work has been impeccable.
They had no easy task at Cardiff. a record crowd of 32,082 gathered, hoping to see neil Warnock’s side give themselves a chance of beating relegation, but Liverpool kept their composure, kept the ball and ultimately ground it out.
‘it was not a game for a little bit of playing around,’ said Klopp. ‘it was a game for a 100 per cent fight, a battle of will, of who wanted it more.
‘We put a lot of emphasis on set-pieces. We knew Cardiff are outstanding on offensive setpieces but, from time to time, they have some problems with defensive set-pieces. Some of the boys found that out.’
Liverpool have three more matches left and, in this ruthless mood, you would not bet against them winning them all.
Yet it might not be enough to secure them what they want.
if it isn’t, it will not represent the end of a journey.
Look at the contracts, look at the squad’s profile and look at the foundations.
Liverpool will be consistent title challengers from now on. This season is just going to be the start.