We have all heard the accusations and whispers this season from rival followers, have not we?
‘This Liverpool group is not really that nice.’ ‘The Premier League is a poor league this season.’ ‘Liverpool’s class of 2024-25 would not have gained the title in one other season.’
Sunday’s loss will solely add to these shouts. How honest is that this, although?
Firstly, it must be mentioned Liverpool’s common rivals should not having their greatest seasons.
Defending champions Manchester Metropolis are on observe for his or her worst marketing campaign below Pep Guardiola, Manchester United are set for his or her worst season in Premier League historical past, Arsenal are 9 factors adrift of their factors tally at this stage of final season, whereas Tottenham and Chelsea have suffered their very own struggles as effectively.
“The opposite groups simply have not stepped up this season and Liverpool have been constant all through,” former Manchester United captain Gary Neville advised Sky Sports activities previous to the Fulham match.
“The remainder of them have fallen effectively beneath their requirements – Arsenal, clearly Manchester Metropolis, United, Tottenham.”
It has been a very good season for Liverpool to hit full stride then. And Slot’s males have actually achieved that.
Even when Arsenal have been on the 71 factors that they had reached at this stage final season, once they have been high of the desk, Liverpool would nonetheless be two factors forward of them.
“I do not even suppose Liverpool have been excellent this season, they have been environment friendly,” ex-Manchester Metropolis defender Micah Richards advised Sky Sports activities.
“They have been slower in build-up and extra ruthless in entrance of aim.”
Arsenal’s much-lauded invincibles completed their title-winning marketing campaign on 90 factors again in 2004. Slot’s males want 18 factors from seven video games to beat that.
In 32 Premier League seasons, solely 14 sides have reached that mark and one among them – Manchester United in 1993-94 – did so in a 42-game season.
Liverpool are additionally the one facet to get 90-plus factors and never win the title – doing so twice below Jurgen Klopp – that means solely 12 of the earlier 31 league-winning sides posted in 90 factors or extra.
In the meantime, the typical variety of factors for the group in second after their thirty first sport of a season is 65.4 – barely greater than Arsenal’s present 62 factors – however there have been second-placed groups on a lot decrease tallies at this stage, together with Arsenal’s 57 factors in 2000-01.
“Liverpool wish to reinstate the aura that they’ve had all season and end robust,” former Manchester Metropolis midfielder Izzy Christiansen advised Sky Sports activities.
“Nevertheless they find yourself successful it’s nearly as much as them. They have been implausible.”
You’ll be able to solely beat what’s entrance of you and Liverpool have achieved simply that in formidable type – up till Sunday, anyway.
