Three Reasons Why This Looks Like Liverpool’s Year for Premier League Success
“Liverpool FC photowall” (CC BY 2.0) by Ben Sutherland
For all the European successes at Liverpool, this season marks 30 years since the Reds were last football champions of England.
Despite FA Cup and League Cup triumphs – not to mention UEFA Champions League glory in 2005 and 2019 – the one trophy everyone in the famous Anfield Kop wants is the Premier League.
There have been near misses under Rafa Benitez and Jurgen Klopp’s predecessor, Brendan Rodgers. After winning their first seven games of the Premier League season, Liverpool are in the driving seat to dethrone Manchester City.
The Reds pushed last year’s domestic treble winners all the way in the league with the title decided by a single point. Although Man City remain favourites to retain their crown, Premier League football betting odds of 6/5 with bet365 say Liverpool end those 30 years of hurt. Here are three reasons why this might just be their year.
Man City have dropped points
Although Klopp’s crew are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table with seven consecutive wins at the start of the season, last term’s conquerors Man City have stuttered.
Norwich City stunned the champions despite a mounting injury crisis in defence and caused a massive upset with a 3-2 victory at Carrow Road following the first international break of the campaign.
Man City also dropped points when held 2-2 by Spurs at home. It leaves Liverpool with a five-point advantage and Pep Guardiola’s team playing catch-up.
Case for the defence
Virgil van Dijk may have somewhat controversially lost out on the Ballon d’Or to Lionel Messi, but every Reds supporter knows his value. Liverpool have improved markedly at the back because of the Dutch defender.
They have the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League with just five goals conceded in their first seven games. Captain for club and country, Van Dijk is a key player and commanding presence at the back.
While keeping him fit is essential for Klopp, Guardiola is short on options in central defence. Brazil’s holding midfielder Fernandinho and usual right-back Kyle Walker are among those who may have to operate out of their natural position.
Man City took a major gamble by not replacing Vincent Kompany who became player-coach of Anderlecht in his native Belgium after a decade at the Etihad this summer. That decision could come back to bite Guardiola with Aymeric Laporte a long-term injury absentee.
All-star attack
Liverpool’s front three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino is one of the most fearsome forward lines in world football. The first two shared the Premier League Golden Boot alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal last season.
While Man City have their own plethora of attacking options including former Reds winger Raheem Sterling, Guardiola often rotates. You don’t really know what the best front three.
There’s no doubting who the established attack is at Anfield. Divock Origi often scores important goals an impact sub, but Klopp doesn’t have loads of forwards to juggle and try and key happy.
Category: Local News and Sport
