Liverpool sit top at Christmas, four points ahead of holders Manchester City. The last 10 winners of the Premier League have all gone on to win the title bar two - those two being Liverpool in 2008 and 2013. Third time lucky?
Of the 2014 Brendan Rodgers side, only three players remain - Simon Mignolet, Daniel Sturridge and now captain Jordan Henderson. Henderson was an integral part of that Liverpool team, with his energy in the middle key. One may forget that in Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Manchester City, Jordan Henderson received a red card in the latter stages, ruling him out of the next three matches. Those matches being against Norwich, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. His replacement, Joe Allen, played in the 3-2 win over Norwich meaning Liverpool required a minimum 7 points from 3 games to win the Premier League for the first ever time. They managed four. Gerrard slipped ☹️. Manchester City won the league.
If Henderson had been available, it may have been different. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Fast forward five years, Jurgen Klopp is manager, Henderson has replaced Gerrard as captain and Liverpool have the best ever chance of winning the title since 2014. Whenever a team that rarely challenges for a title does, given this is Liverpool third title charge in 10 years, the question is asked about the squad's experience in winning titles. Players in the squad to have been in a title race include Fabinho (Monaco), James Milner (Manchester City) and Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich) as well as the aforementioned players. Henderson, though, could prove to be most important.
With the added responsibility as skipper, Henderson's experience from 2013-14 could prove invaluable to Jurgen Klopp, who himself knows how to win league titles from his time at Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool were unable to see out the run-in, with you know what happening. Klopp is a better manager with a better squad that Rodgers, who relied on Luis Suarez to carry his team. This Liverpool team has Salah, Firmino and Mane.
Henderson is Liverpool's leader on the field, along with Van Dijk and Milner. His qualities and know-how will be important if Liverpool are to be in contention come April time. The thought of 2014 is horrible to all Liverpool fans given the circumstances of the bottle job. This time feels different. The squad is far superior with a much better balance.
The encounter between Liverpool and Manchester City on January 3rd could be the turning point in the title race between the sides. If City win, they close the gap to a point. If the Scousers win, they extend their lead to 7 points. This all given both teams win all their games in the build up to the game, so the complexion could well change before they meet.
It's scary to think this but Liverpool might just win the league this season.
Of the 2014 Brendan Rodgers side, only three players remain - Simon Mignolet, Daniel Sturridge and now captain Jordan Henderson. Henderson was an integral part of that Liverpool team, with his energy in the middle key. One may forget that in Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Manchester City, Jordan Henderson received a red card in the latter stages, ruling him out of the next three matches. Those matches being against Norwich, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. His replacement, Joe Allen, played in the 3-2 win over Norwich meaning Liverpool required a minimum 7 points from 3 games to win the Premier League for the first ever time. They managed four. Gerrard slipped ☹️. Manchester City won the league.
If Henderson had been available, it may have been different. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Fast forward five years, Jurgen Klopp is manager, Henderson has replaced Gerrard as captain and Liverpool have the best ever chance of winning the title since 2014. Whenever a team that rarely challenges for a title does, given this is Liverpool third title charge in 10 years, the question is asked about the squad's experience in winning titles. Players in the squad to have been in a title race include Fabinho (Monaco), James Milner (Manchester City) and Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich) as well as the aforementioned players. Henderson, though, could prove to be most important.
With the added responsibility as skipper, Henderson's experience from 2013-14 could prove invaluable to Jurgen Klopp, who himself knows how to win league titles from his time at Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool were unable to see out the run-in, with you know what happening. Klopp is a better manager with a better squad that Rodgers, who relied on Luis Suarez to carry his team. This Liverpool team has Salah, Firmino and Mane.
Henderson is Liverpool's leader on the field, along with Van Dijk and Milner. His qualities and know-how will be important if Liverpool are to be in contention come April time. The thought of 2014 is horrible to all Liverpool fans given the circumstances of the bottle job. This time feels different. The squad is far superior with a much better balance.
The encounter between Liverpool and Manchester City on January 3rd could be the turning point in the title race between the sides. If City win, they close the gap to a point. If the Scousers win, they extend their lead to 7 points. This all given both teams win all their games in the build up to the game, so the complexion could well change before they meet.
It's scary to think this but Liverpool might just win the league this season.
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