Prior to Liverpool's league victory at Stamford Bridge a couple of weeks ago, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas argued that Liverpool would 'challenge for the title' this season. The increasingly outspoken manager has now reiterated that view, but is the idea of Liverpool as title challengers just wishful thinking?
In his press conference after Chelsea's win over Man City, AVB stated:
"There has never been so many teams competing for the title.
"Manchester City are competing for the title, Tottenham are competing, Liverpool are strong and solid with a win that they got this week, and Arsenal coming from the death"
Liverpool are currently 12 points off the top of the table, and there is historical precedent for a Kenny Dalglish team closing a seemingly insurmountable gap to come close to winning the title.
On New Year’s Day 1989, Liverpool lost 3-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford, a defeat that left the club languishing 17 points adrift of runaway leaders Arsenal. A cloud of pessimism descended over the club, and the title seemed a million miles away.
Surely a 17 point gap was too much to claw back? Not for Liverpool.
After that game, Dalglish's team went on an amazing 18 game unbeaten streak in the league, winning 15 of those matches along the way.
Through sheer skill, determination, mental strength and a complete unwillingness to accept defeat, Liverpool pulled their season out of the fire and went into their final game against Arsenal at Anfield full of confidence, knowing that avoiding defeat would seal the title.
Of course, every Liverpool fan knows the horror of what happened next (!) but the point is that Liverpool overcame a 17 point deficit to put themselves back in the title driving seat. It was a monumental achievement, and one that has not been matched since.
Is the current Liverpool team capable of a similar feat?
I personally think it is, but only if the team improves its finishing and starts scoring more goals.
Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal are arguably the weakest they've been for a few years; the only team that's stronger this year is Man City, and Liverpool have already shown they're more than a match for Roberto Mancini's team.
Liverpool should be in the top three right now; on performances alone, they deserve to be there, and it's frustrating to see the club languishing in sixth after unnecessarily dropping so many points.
Let's see where we are on New Years's Day. If things go to plan, the club will be in the top four, and if so, Dalglish will hopefully be able to summon the spirit of 1989, and drive Liverpool towards title glory.
Jaimie Kanwar
In his press conference after Chelsea's win over Man City, AVB stated:
"There has never been so many teams competing for the title.
"Manchester City are competing for the title, Tottenham are competing, Liverpool are strong and solid with a win that they got this week, and Arsenal coming from the death"
Liverpool are currently 12 points off the top of the table, and there is historical precedent for a Kenny Dalglish team closing a seemingly insurmountable gap to come close to winning the title.
On New Year’s Day 1989, Liverpool lost 3-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford, a defeat that left the club languishing 17 points adrift of runaway leaders Arsenal. A cloud of pessimism descended over the club, and the title seemed a million miles away.
Surely a 17 point gap was too much to claw back? Not for Liverpool.
After that game, Dalglish's team went on an amazing 18 game unbeaten streak in the league, winning 15 of those matches along the way.
Through sheer skill, determination, mental strength and a complete unwillingness to accept defeat, Liverpool pulled their season out of the fire and went into their final game against Arsenal at Anfield full of confidence, knowing that avoiding defeat would seal the title.
Of course, every Liverpool fan knows the horror of what happened next (!) but the point is that Liverpool overcame a 17 point deficit to put themselves back in the title driving seat. It was a monumental achievement, and one that has not been matched since.
Is the current Liverpool team capable of a similar feat?
I personally think it is, but only if the team improves its finishing and starts scoring more goals.
Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal are arguably the weakest they've been for a few years; the only team that's stronger this year is Man City, and Liverpool have already shown they're more than a match for Roberto Mancini's team.
Liverpool should be in the top three right now; on performances alone, they deserve to be there, and it's frustrating to see the club languishing in sixth after unnecessarily dropping so many points.
Let's see where we are on New Years's Day. If things go to plan, the club will be in the top four, and if so, Dalglish will hopefully be able to summon the spirit of 1989, and drive Liverpool towards title glory.
Jaimie Kanwar
Hearing a lot of positivity within this article!!! Totally agree I have been very impressed with the quality of our play, seem to be battering teams in dominance and territory but lacking the cutting edge.Even outplayed Man City for long spells so also agree we should easily be 2nd or 3rd.
ReplyDeleteWhat would I give for a young Robbie Fowler up front with Suarez, then I would be realistically dreaming of the title. Maybe there is a new Fowler out there in place for next season?? Torres for 20m????????
:) merry xmas Jay.
ReplyDeletePeople were still in hospital when Arsenal won the title.The 88-89 season should have been aborted as a mark of respect to the dead and bereaved. That it wasnt is to the eternal shame of the FA and all those who said play on
ReplyDeleteseriously.. din't expect this from Jamie! :)
ReplyDeleteI disagree, of course there would be those who wanted a halt to the league and fa cup at the time, but had liverpool of won the league that year it would of been a fitting tribute to those victims. Lets not forget the solidarity shown between everton and liverpool fans that year in the fa cup final that we won, remember that ocassion vividly and it was played in honour of those victims. The real shame is with the well documented newspaper lies at the time, the actions of thatchers government and successive governments. That it took so long to release files and investigate.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P 96
Chatting shit again ... all you do is take an extreme view for impact. Grr ... bloody NewsNow linking to your site. Why do I blindly click on the links. My heart sinks every time I visit your godforsaken site by mistake.
ReplyDeleteAgree, Paul. Winning the league would've been a great tribute. Alas, it wasn't to be.
ReplyDeleteyes we can, we could also finish top four or miss out on europe... I tend not to listen for soundbites from other club managers. He's covering himself saying there are 6 teams involved incase they miss out on CL footie let alone the PL title. Lets see where KK takes us, the style of footie a lot better just need the goals which i;m sure will come.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best form of flattery, this time by AVB. I dont have any respect for this brat since he poached Torres. Stick to your Chelshit.
ReplyDeleteAVB never poached Torres. In fact, he's flogging off Torres at a 60% discount! Roman did poach AVB from us though. Before making KD permanent, John Henry intended to sign AVB in the summer.
ReplyDeleteIf we remember correctly, not only did Kenny achieve this feat in 89, our run when he took over last season was second only to Chelsea's. There certainly is reason to be optimistic!
ReplyDeleteSecond to Chelsea, but that doesn't mean it was a great run. Liverpool won only 10 of Dalglish's 18 league games last season. The club should have finished higher in the table, that's the brutal truth (IMO)
ReplyDeleteThat looks about right for Kenny. Going by his average wins, in the 80s, it would have been 11 wins out of 18. We're actually below par this season with 7 wins out of 15. We'll need 13 more wins from our remaining 23 games to have any semblance of hope for CL next season, but Kenny's done it before. In all fairness, the way he's got the team playing, we ought to have won at least the 2 or 3 more games that would more accurately reflect his ability.
ReplyDeleteThat said Jaimie, with retrospect I think the sheer determination to claw back such a massive deficit within the emotional confines of that year pays more testament to LFC as a whole rather than reminiscing about "how close we came".
ReplyDeleteIt took guts to go back out there and play a "game" when those horrific images were being replayed over and over in the minds of every player, official, fan and most importantly... the grieving family members.To win the league in 88/89, I agree, it would have been special... but the emotion, passion and determination to attempt to carry on, let alone win Div 1 was the real victory IMO.Too young, Too soon...R.I.P 96 (YNWA)
Win the title? Doubt it. Man City are miles ahead and their goal is to win the league. They will do it and I support them all the way.
ReplyDeleteWe are just not ready. Our side is lacking quality additions but we must get into the CL. AVB is dreaming...he is lucky if if side stay in the CL next year. I feel they will be out! That is between Us, Arsenal and Spurs, 3 into 2.
Why do you people bring in this now? Not like we have been playing good football this season, at least not the majority of it. For example we were 7 points ahead of Arsenal 1. October, today they are 3 ahead
ReplyDeleteYahoo!
ReplyDeleteNext time, maybe you should try breaking the Prozac in half Jaimie.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of childishness is beneath you, Felderkirk.
ReplyDeleteWe BOTH know it isn't Jaimie.
ReplyDelete