So, Liverpool become the first team in the entire history of the major European leagues to win 20 of the first 21 league games; and of course, the other match this season was a draw. This is on the back of nine straight wins at the end of last season, and the unbeaten Premier League run – stretching back over a year – has been supplemented by winning the Champions League, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup. Oh, and in the midst of it all was the greatest ever European comeback in knockout football.
(Note: So, Liverpool become the first team in the entire history of the major European leagues to win 20 of the first 21 league games.)
To win 29 of your last 30 league games while doing the ultimate business in Europe – and on the world stage – is phenomenal. It’s almost surreal. The Reds have had half a dozen players out injured for various parts of the season – including key men – yet that never gets mentioned; but any opposition has one or two out and the excuses are trotted out left, right and centre. No Alisson for ten games? 100% league win rate. No Fabinho since the start of December? 100% league win rate. Add that Liverpool have had their goalkeeper, two centre-backs and various midfielders (defensive and attacking) injured for long spells this season, and all the manager does is pick someone else from the squad and back the players to the hilt.
(Note: So, Liverpool become the first team in the entire history of the major European leagues to win 20 of the first 21 league games.)
Anyone who thinks this is all luck, or about fortune with VAR, needs to get their head out of their arse pretty damn quickly. This is one of the greatest teams in the history of football, according to various metrics, including the ClubElo, which currently ranks it as the 4th-best of all time, but with scope to move higher. And that was before the Reds secured this record-breaking win.
(Note: So, Liverpool become the first team in the entire history of the major European leagues to win 20 of the first 21 league games.)
Every game sets a new record, and while winning the league is needed by many to seal the Reds’ reputation, what the team has done in the past year is already unprecedented. We can’t foresee what will happen from now on, but with every win the Reds need merely “top four” form, and that’s assuming that Leicester and Man City win all their games. Any time they drop points then Liverpool’s form can afford to slip that bit more; not that you sense Jürgen Klopp will allow standards to slip.
(Note: Er, so, Liverpool become the first team in the entire history of the major European leagues to win 20 of the first 21 league games.)
Every game someone different steps up to be the Man of the Match. Recently it’s been Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita (injured yet again when in superb form), and here it was Gini Wijnaldum, who was absolutely everywhere, bossing the midfield as, with just 33% possession and six at the back, Jose Mourinho tried to shithouse his way to another spawny result, as if this was still 2010. Fuck off, Jose!
The rest of this article is for subscribers only.
[ttt-subscribe-article]
