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
Solskjaer trusts De Gea. If anyone at Manchester United has earned the right to be forgiven for a few dodgy games, it is David de Gea, says his boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who sees the goalkeeper
Solskjaer confirms De Gea will start for Man United against
Ole gives stars 'licence to express', says Yorke. Players like (from left) Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford are among those who have shone since the appointment of Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer has lifted shackles off strikers, says Yorke
Pundits have already written off their chances, with former Gunner Martin Keown claiming there was "a hell of a lot of work to do". He told BT Sport: "Arsenal are in the beginning of their (project)."
Transfer news: 'Arsenal need to spend £70m on a Van Dijk
Jan 28, 2019 · Paris St Germain coach Thomas Tuchel admits it will be "very difficult" for Neymar to be able to face Manchester United in their Champions League tie because of a foot problem. The Ligue 1 leaders
Cardiff claim they are shocked by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night. The Premier League club said they remain "deeply concerned
Cardiff 'shocked' by Sala pilot report | theScore.com
Need To Stay Focused, Warns Coach The Vodafone Fijian Women's football team and New Zealand have qualified to the OFC Women's Nations Cup semi-finals despite facing each other in their final pool clash tomorrow.
High School Xtra: This week's student athletes | High School
Everton ease past Burnley to keep Europa League dream alive Marco Silva's side moved into eighth place on the Premier League leaderboard, one point behind seventh-place Wolverhampton Wanderers
Everton ease past Burnley to keep Europa League dream alive
Cliftonville pair Liam Boyce and Conor Devlin aim to secure the Premiership title in Saturday's clash against Linfield at Solitude. The Reds will secure the Gibson Cup if they beat the reigning
Destiny | Reddit
The power behind the 'baby-faced assassin': Beautiful wife of new Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who met him when they were both football training and their three children who don't even
Pele had the surgery at the Israelite Albert Einstein hospital. "The procedure was a success and the patient is back in his room," a brief statement from doctors said. Considered by many the game
Football: Pele recovering well after kidney stone operation
Aloysius Pang's eldest brother collects actor's ashes from
Barcelona fell to their first La Liga defeat since November as the champions were beaten 2-0 at struggling Celta Vigo after making 11 changes but forward Ousmane Dembele suffered an injury setback
Makeshift Barcelona side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to
Fulham, yet to keep a clean sheet this season, stayed rooted to the bottom of the table with nine points from 17 games, while the Hammers' fourth league win in a row lifted them to ninth place on
West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row
Yerry Mina would be a good signing for Manchester United this summer, according to Red Devils legend Wes Brown. Manchester United are weighing up alternative options to improve the Red Devils
Man Utd's 6-1 loss to Man City is my 'worst ever day' - Sir
0 comments:
Post a Comment