On Monday night, we saw Liverpool produce another fightback to beat West Ham 3-2 at Anfield to restore their 22 point lead and take another step closer to their first title in 30 years. What Liverpool are doing this season is incredible having won every game this season bar one and are unbeaten in the league since January 2019. A question everybody is asking is can Liverpool emulate Arsenal in 2003/04 and go an entire season unbeaten.
Remaining fixtures
Liverpool travel to Watford next who are 19th and a point from safety. This will be another tough but winnable game for Liverpool who clinched a hard fought 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Anfield. Under Nigel Pearson, Watford have witnessed an upturn in form who have an excellent goalkeeper in Ben Foster but many of their best players seem to have peaked since their run to the FA Cup final last year. After Bournemouth, Liverpool face another tough test in the merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park, since the 5-2 demolition at Anfield and Curtis Jones’ dramatic winner in the cup, Everton have turned a corner under Carlo Ancelotti and are just 5 points off a European place. It will be a hostile atmosphere as usual under the lights at Goodison.
They then host Crystal Palace after the international break where they could clinch the title before they face their biggest test at the Etihad on April 5th. Towards the end of the season, Liverpool will travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal on matchweek 36, the latter will be scrapping for their pride as they are eager to maintain their invincible record having witnessed an upturn under Mikel Arteta before their final two fixtures against Chelsea and Newcastle.
Champions League defense
Liverpool have an excellent record in the Champions League under Jurgen Klopp reaching the final in 17/18 and winning it last season. They have a challenge on their hands with a 1 goal deficit to Atletico but are more than capable of producing a fightback. If Liverpool get far in the competition, then it’s likely they may rest key players if the league is wrapped up against Crystal Palace to focus on a potential double.
Squad Depth
Liverpool’s squad depth is excellent with sufficient cover in all areas with a good injury record. The only long-term injury they suffered this season was losing Allison for the first two months of the season but Adrian stepped up to the plate and contribute to Liverpool’s excellent record. Klopp has managed his squad well throughout the season prioritising the League and Champions League whilst promoting youth in the domestic cups. Both Liverpool’s first team and youth players know what is expected of them, crucially, keeping Virgil Van Dijk fit will be key if Liverpool were to go the season unbeaten.
Final thoughts
Overall, Liverpool have a great chance to go the season unbeaten. Whilst a league and UCL double would be amazing, only Preston North End and Arsenal have gone an entire league season unbeaten which has cemented their status in the record books. The debate on an invincible season or a double is intriguing as the former guarantees immortality and a place in the history whereas the latter gives Liverpool additional bargaining power over European powerhouses such as Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Real Talk blog 