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
Women's World Cup 2019 saw its first goalless draw as Argentina took on Japan in Paris. Women's World Cup: Dogged Argentina Hold Japan to Goalless Draw; FootBall .
Women's World Cup 2019: Argentina hold former champions Japan
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Arsenal teammates stated their determination to win Wednesday's Europa League final against Chelsea in Baku for the absent Armenian star. Silverware matters most to Emery
Silverware matters most to Emery as Arsenal aim to win for
Gareth Bale's agent says the Wales international remains '100 per cent' committed to Real Madrid. Bale has been persistently linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this season, having
Bale '100 percent' committed to Real claims agent | Sport24
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed, Football News & Top
Apr 29, 2019 · Barcelona take on Liverpool at the Nou Camp in the Champions League semifinal first leg. Here are five things you need to know about the match.
3 things to know after Liverpool's incredible Champions
Lions' new coach Tatsuma Yoshida wants more intensity, confidence Amirul hopes to be named in new Lions coach Tatsuma Yoshida's first starting line-up, when they take on Solomon Islands at the
Football: Lions to play Soloman Islands, Myanmar, with new
Man City set to be hit with transfer ban for two windows within days. Fifa are poised to confirm the Etihad outfit are the next club to be found guilty of breaching rules on the transfers of minors.
Man City face FIFA transfer ban: report - msn.com
Kane making 'fantastic' recovery, says Spurs boss Pochettino Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane is making a "fantastic" recovery and could be back in action ahead of schedule following the ankle injury he suffered last month against Manchester United.
Football: Kane making 'fantastic' recovery, says Spurs boss
Huddersfield reduced the deficit to 2-1 after the restart as midfielder Philip Billing's swerving effort from distance flew past Southampton goalkeeper McCarthy, who appeared to be unsighted by a
Southampton power past struggling Huddersfield Town
Top 10 Arizona high school running backs of all time I feel, shaped the landscape in Arizona. One of the greatest football families all-time in Arizona. Art and Benny both starred at
Gil Brandt's 25 greatest NFL running backs of all time
Emery wary of Valencia's recovery potential in 2nd leg Alexandre Lacazette watches as Valencia goalkeeper Neto is unable to prevent the striker's header from crossing the line to give Arsenal the
Emery wary of Valencia's recovery potential in 2nd leg
Ronaldo faces disciplinary hearing over goal celebration. Uefa said the Portuguese would face a hearing on Thursday for "improper conduct" during the last-16 second leg match, where Juventus
Champions League: Ronaldo faces disciplinary hearing over
Buy Foiled Again! by Jack Wilds at jwpepper.com. Concert Band Sheet Music. Program this alternative to a traditional concert march as the opener or clo
Amazon.com: Hamilton Beach 76607 Smooth Touch Can Opener
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette is eligible to play in Thursday's Europa League last 16 second-leg clash against Rennes after his three-match ban was reduced to two games, UEFA said on Tuesday.
Arsenal's Lacazette free to face Rennes as UEFA cuts ban
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says he is "getting used" to criticism after Blues fans turned on him during a controversial win at Cardiff. Travelling fans chanted "we want Sarri out" and "you don't
Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri apologises to angry fans after
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch premier league live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming putlockers
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
watch premier league games live stream
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming online free
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch premier league live stream hd
watch champions league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch coppa america live streaming dailymotion
watch coppa america live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming kenya
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch champions league live streaming pc
watch epl live streaming on iphone
watch soccer aid live stream online
watch coppa america live streaming online
watch soccer live streaming mobile
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch champions league live streaming zee5
watch premier league stream reddit
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch champions league final live streaming
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch premier league net live manchester united stream channel
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
watch premier league live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch premier league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch english premier league live streaming free
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch live streaming soccer games
watch champions league live stream uk
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
watch live streaming soccer world cup
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch premier league live streaming live free
watch soccer live stream links
watch champions league live streaming vk
watch soccer game live espn
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch soccer game live now
watch premier league live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming crictime
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
watch english premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch soccer live stream apk
watch premier league live streaming vf
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch premier league darts live stream
watch live soccer stream android
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch premier league live streaming yify
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch champions league simulcast live stream
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch soccer online free streaming live in english
watch karnataka premier league live streaming
watch champions league draw live streaming
free watch soccer live streaming
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch usa soccer live stream
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch premier league live streaming juventus
watch usa soccer live stream online
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch coppa america live streaming uk
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch champions league live streaming ptv sports
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
watch coppa america live streaming nz
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
watch champions league live streaming bola
watch soccer games live stream free
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
#watchlive #fut #ucl #boxing #cristianoronaldo #seriea #beatifulgame #panini #premierleague #champion #Sunday #visubal #myfootballuniverse #frasirap #championsleague #salah #insegreto #winner #vandijk #coffeebreak #cristiano #GarageCafeDxb #24x7 #alissonbecker #manunited #zinedinezidane #soccermemes #nationsleague #pagani #acmilan #afcnews #chocolatecoffee #neymar #conference #nikesoccer #goodday #noelgallagher #oasis #bestshishacafedubai #Barcelona #oasisengland #433skills #manchesterunited #petercrouch #realmadrid #lovefootball #oasisofficial #battuteepiche #Suarez #championship #soccer #Vip45 #fcbarcelona #oudmehta #romania #footballmemes #Liamgallagher #comico #bundesliga #bayern #juventus #league1 #jadwalbolahariini #bayervshoffenheim #mancity #girlsniteout #footballstreaming #goal #liverpool #liverpoolfc #soccer #Fcb #valcea #footballfans #chocolate #Barca #Celtic #manchestercity #adidasslipon #football #londoncity #coyg #mancityvsliverpool #liverpoolfans #realmadridcf #arsenalnews #manchestercity #villarealcf #transfernews #golf #MyDubai #trollfootball #livestreaming #livestreams #leicestercity #zidane #arsenal #liverpool
No comments:
Post a Comment