The month of January arguably holds dark memories of last season for Liverpool. As the top half of last season, it was precisely in January that Liverpool’s performance slowed down. Manchester City, which was originally behind by 7 points slowly but surely began to crawl up following Liverpool to become champions with just one point difference. The turning point for Liverpool’s gloom began in the opening match at the start of the new year 2019, when Liverpool lost to arch-rivals Manchester City 2-1.
Aguero’s goal in the 40th minute was equalized by Firmino in the 64th minute of the second half to extend Liverpool’s lifeline as the throne holder. But 8 minutes later Leroy Sane silenced Liverpool fans to win City and open the way to becoming Premier League champions that season. Since then, Liverpool’s performance has started to become unstable, while the distance between City and City is getting closer to 4 points. Although City had lost to Newcastle at the end of January, but Liverpool did not take advantage of this opportunity because it was held back by Leicester City at home 1-1 and only added a point distance.
Liverpool’s position became more critical in February because they were held to a draw by West Ham 1-1 and MU and Everton with a score of glasses, and only won twice during the month. While on the other hand City immediately asserted with five consecutive wins so the standings turned around in early March when City won against Bournemouth 3-0 while Liverpool were again held back by Everton.
After that both Liverpool and City unbearably won 9 consecutive wins. Liverpool actually had hoped Manchester United could put a halt to City for playing at Old Trafford. But what MU power is also being swayed so easily be crushed 2-0. Liverpool were desperate to end 29 years without a Premier League title. Champion League champions became the only entertainment for the club from the hometown of the legendary band the Beatles.
This season Liverpool have not included many new players and are relatively mature and squeezing existing squads. Although several times made nervous because almost always thin and the winning goal occurred in injury time, Liverpool’s performance can be said to be relatively stable until past the half of the season. The players’ cohesiveness is increasingly tested and the fruit of Klopp’s patience for four and a half years has begun to bear fruit.
Having gone through 22 Premier League matches this season, Liverpool have been steadily topping the standings with 64 points, far above the second place of the defending champion who only won 48 points with one more match. The only club that can hold the series is only Manchester United at Old Trafford on 20 October 2019, but last night at home Liverpool resolved fans’ anger by bending the same opponents 2-0 while extending a record of never losing in the Premier League since they were last beaten by City a year ago.
Liverpool have the opportunity to extend the difference in numbers if it defeats West Ham in the postponed party that took place later this month at home to the opponent. Meanwhile heavy opponents are still waiting for only three, City, Arsenal played at home to opponents, and Chelsea at home. Other competing clubs such as Leicester, Spurs and MU have been foundered by Liverpool twice this season.
Other possible clubs that will prop up Liverpool are only the derby with Everton who are indeed the eternal enemies of the city, and Wolves whose performance has been rising lately. The real test will take place tomorrow when Liverpool meet Wolves at Molineux Stadium.
If manage to overcome Wolves next week and Everton in Week 30, it is almost certain that Liverpool will hold the Premier League trophy for the first time since changing their name from the First Division to the 1992-1993 season, or 30 years since the last time won the English League season 1989-1990 .
If both teams continue to win, the match against City in Week 32 will be the decider of this year’s Premier League champions. With a difference of 16 or 19 points when winning over West Ham, victory over City will extend the distance to 19 or 22 points and may not be overtaken by second place again. The match against Arsenal in the 36th week, and Chelsea in the 37th week will only be a formality because Liverpool have been confirmed champions.
City itself will actually face Sheffield United at home to opponents whose performance is increasing sharply, surging to number 7 overcoming Spurs and Arsenal who are increasingly sinking below. Also in February and March City will be tested consecutively by Spurs, Leicester, Arsenal, MU and Chelsea before meeting Liverpool in early April. Losing just one of these teams accelerated Liverpool to the championship because opponents faced were relatively easy in those months than City.
Then, will January’s curse turn to City this season? Or even Liverpool fall back again in this winter as in the previous year, given that many of Liverpool’s core players come from Africa who are sharp in summer but blunt in winter? Let’s wait until early April to sing We Are the Champion on Merseyside.
ASL
