Yesterday marked a minor anniversary.
It was two months since Liverpool dropped a point, two months of impeccable league results that may ultimately only bring them the bittersweet distinction of a record tally for a runner-up.
Since then, as they have reeled off seven straight victories, they have prospered under pressure, winning while knowing any slip-up could be fatal to their chances.
The silly accusation that they are "bottlers" is thrown less at a side with near flawless form.
Liverpool's last title challenge ended in 2014 when they gave up a 3-0 lead in nine, ridiculous minutes against Crystal Palace, a week after Steven Gerrard's infamous slip against Chelsea.
This time, like when Rafael Benitez's Reds took 31 points from the last 33 in 2008-09, they have coped with nerves altogether better.
They have needed to. Liverpool were ahead after 15 seconds in their 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield last week, but their matches have tended to be tighter and tenser than Manchester City's.
They have been level at half-time in three of their last four league games.
They have been drawing with 11 minutes remaining of three of the last six. They have gone behind in two of the last seven.
In short, they have not panicked. Perhaps because their tactics are less fast and furious, they have got better at being patient.
Certainly Jurgen Klopp has made a series of telling substitutions, bringing on his captains Jordan Henderson and James Milner to great effect at Southampton and Fabinho and Divock Origi to make a difference against Tottenham.
Milner, a Premier League winner with City, has often appeared the specialist substitute in the run-in.
That marks a difference with Benitez's team of 2009. The Spaniard had a formidable starting XI, but very little in reserve.
A comparison between title challengers - and Brendan Rodgers' side of 2013-14 looks the real anomaly because, unlike Benitez and Klopp's groups, they were defensively awful - could produce similar hard-luck stories; the side of 2009 were the first to lose only twice and not become champions. The team of 2019 have been beaten only once.
Benitez had the more potent centre-forward in Fernando Torres, and three midfielders better than any of Klopp's, although Gerrard operated ahead of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.
The German has a superior goalkeeper in Alisson, finer and more attacking full-backs and, outstanding a servant as Jamie Carragher was, a still better centre-back in Virgil van Dijk.
Benitez's side were rather prosaic on the flanks. Klopp has dynamic, devastating wingers, even if Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah operate infield.
Benitez built around two banks of four. Klopp has an idiosyncratic 4-3-3 with a false nine. Each has been a formula that would have worked in most other years.
Each has had a spring surge. And, in both cases, it might not be enough.
NEWCASTLE V LIVERPOOL
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, tomorrow, 2.45am
More racial abuse cases heighten calls for action, Football News & Top Stories revealed he "cannot wait to see the back of football" because of the lack of action taken against racial
PFA 'more must be done' to combat racial abuse | Goal.com
BRIGHTON (REUTERS) - Arsenal manager Unai Emery was fined 8,000 pounds (S$13,899) on Monday (Dec 31) but avoided a touchline ban for kicking a plastic bottle at a Brighton and Hove Albion
Jorginho fired Chelsea to a 2-1 win at struggling Fulham on Sunday as Blues keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga began to make amends for his Wembley mutiny with an impressive display. Maurizio Sarri's side took the lead through Gonzalo Higuain before Calum Chambers equalised at Craven Cottage.In an incident-packed first half, the
Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines - Daily Monitor
Solskjaer extends perfect record as Manchester United beat
Join us for an Open House to tour the office, learn about program and scholarship opportunities and start planning your study abroad journey. At the top of every hour, we'll have a 15 minute presentation (led by current ASU students who went on study abroad programs) on these topics:
8 Life Changing Things You Learn When You Take The Leap And
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to footballer Sala I didn't come to pay my respects to a footballer; I came to pay my respects to an exceptional man, a real warrior," said
Watch: Argentine village of Progresso to pay tribute to
That was what Mohamadou Sumareh felt in the narrow 0-1 loss that Malaysia suffered at the hands of Singapore on the opening day of the 2019 Airmarine Cup. Follow Goal Malaysia
Ex-United star denies homophobia after spat with PSG
Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge into top four. Unai Emery's men also close to within just a point of third-placed Tottenham and now hold the upper hand in the race for
Midfielder wanted to keep up Blues' push. Spanish forward Pedro in good spirits after scoring Chelsea's opening goal against Newcastle, as Willian joins in the celebrations. The Brazilian netted
Report: Bruno Fernandes Deal Near Completion - Bitter and Blue
The three key positions Arsenal must spend their £40m budget on this summer and who to sign. The Gunners have a limited budget after missing out on Champions League football again so who could they target to make the most of their millions?
Unai Emery: Some Arsenal players must leave after Europa
Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth Mesut Ozil made the most of being handed a rare start by Arsenal boss Unai Emery as the German masterminded a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday to keep the Gunners in pole position for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
EPL: Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth - Punch
0 comments:
Post a Comment