Liverpool. Amazing Liverpool. Unbelievable Liverpool. This season is all about Liverpool. I am not a fan of Liverpool and my team is Chelsea…..but this season I have to get credit….Liverpool is far and away the most dominant force in the Premier League. And even though I cheer for Chelsea, I think I am going to cheer a little for Liverpool to see if they can keep their undefeated streak going. Let’s talk about it.
There have been two undefeated season in Premier League history. The first goes way back….Preston North End went 18-4-0 (Win-Draw-Loss) in league play as well as winning all their Cup matches and taking the FA Cup in the 1888-89 season. Their final record that year was 23 wins and 4 draws. An historic season. It took over 100 years for another team to match Preston North End. In 2003-04 season Arsenal….nicknamed “The Invincibles” matched the undefeated season. They finished that year 26-12-0 (W-D-L), amazing that they had 12 draws. That was 12 games where 1 single goal, 1 magic moment from the other team would have ended the streak….wow. Including a few wins to end the previous season as well as the start of the next season, Arsenal reeled off 49 games without a loss. Their record over that time was 36-13-0. Their star was Thierry Henry.
And now we have Liverpool. In last years run to the title, Liverpool reeled off 15 straight games undefeated but came up just short of Manchester City in 2nd place on the final table. This year they have steamrolled the league. After 22 games played they have 21 wins and 1 draw. That is just amazing to write and amazing they have done it. Week 9 they were drew with Manchester United 1-1, other that that, all wins. Early in the season it just seemed everything was going their way. In the span of a month I think there were 2-3 games where they were in danger of a loss or in danger of a draw; but somehow found a way to win. Late goals. Extra time goals. Penalties in extra time leading to winning goals. But lately, there has been no luck needed. Liverpool is just running over teams….and quality teams too. I happened to turn on their game today against 5th place Manchester United. Two top 6 teams and you would expect a great match, tight and competitive……wrong. I caught about 30 minutes of the game. Liverpool totally dominated the game. It was a red wave……it was a complete assault on the Manchester United defense. Attack after attack, shot after shot. It was overwhelming to watch. I saw a goal overturned with offsides. I saw a few hit then post. I saw a few just wide. I saw 2-3 great saves…..and that was just the 30 minutes I watched. It could have been 4-0 or 5-0. The final was 2-0, but from what I saw, that does not do the game justice. A crushing defeat, a dominating performance.
The highlights give you a little idea of the game. Liverpool on the attack. In the 1:45 minute clip there was only 1 Manchester United highlight. And it did not include a few shots I saw while watching. Liverpool—oh my!
Potential Liverpool Records. So what is next for Liverpool. We discussed they are chasing an undefeated season. 23 down and 15 to go. Their current streak of undefeated games is 37 stretching back to last year. They are 12 games away from tying Arsenal’s record of 49. Other records they might hit this year. Most points. Manchester City set the record of 100. Liverpool are on pace for 112 out of a maximum points total of 114 in a season. Most wins. Liverpool have 1 draw. The record is 32 wins and Liverpool could shatter that one as well. On pace for 37. Most Home Wins. The record is 18 and Liverpool have not lost yet and could get 19. Away Wins. The record is 16 and Liverpool on pace to break that one too with 18.
It’s all about Liverpool and I think I might cheer them on. It could be the greatest single season in Premier League history. Just 1 game where I won’t be cheering them on….Chelsea!!
Match Week 23 Recap
So the question this week…..who wants to be in the Top 4. It seems no one wants it. It might just end up that the top 4, other than Liverpool, will be who just doesn’t mess up too bad. No one really challenging or putting together wins. It was an interesting week for the Top 10 teams. Lets review.
- Liverpool wins.
- Manchester City draw.
- Leicester City loses.
- Chelsea loses…in the 94th minute. Ugh!
- Manchester United loses.
- Wolverhampton wins.
- Sheffield United draws.
- Tottenham draws.
- Crystal Palace draws.
- Arsenal draws.
Only two wins in the Top 10….that’s crazy. The other three teams to earn a win this week were Burnley, Newcastle and Norwich City.
Race for the Top 4
Okay, we have discussed, Liverpool is a run away leader. How does the rest of the table look.
- Liverpool 21-1-0 64 points.
- Manchester City 15-3-5 48 points.
- Leicester City 14-3-6 45 points.
- Chelsea 12-3-8 39 points.
- Manchester United 9-7-7 34 points.
- Wolverhampton 8-10-5 34 points.
Sheffield United (33), Tottenham (31), Crystal Palace (30) and Arsenal (29) round out the top 10.
The Relegation Zone
There are now 6 teams within 3 points of the relegation zone and fighting to stay up. Brighton sit with 25 points, West Ham United at 23 and Watford at 23. The current bottom three include:
18. Aston Villa 22 points 19. Bournemouth 20 points 20. Norwich City 17 points. And Norwich just won and picked up a big 3 points this week.
Games of the Week. Match Week 24.
- Chelsea vs. Arsenal. Che;lsea really need a win.
- Liverpool vs. Wolves. #1 vs. #6. Can someone give Liverpool a game?