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SINGAPORE: The 2019-2020 English Premier League (EPL) season may have been the longest in history, prolonged by a COVID-19 suspension, but there was a constant theme that ran from August to July: dominance from Liverpool.
The Reds started it all with a 4-1 demolition of Norwich City and then kept on winning. So much so that the Reds had a 25-point lead in mid-March.
The only thing that could stop a first English championship heading to Anfield since 1990 was the coronavirus that caused a 12-week suspension from the league.
However, when action resumed in mid-June, Liverpool quickly obtained the results necessary to confirm the title.
The performances after the restart were not as emphatic as before, losing 10 points in nine games, including losses to Manchester City and Arsenal, but they were good enough to get the Reds their first title in 30 years.
Ultimately, Liverpool racked up a staggering 99 points, finishing an equally impressive 18 points ahead of Manchester City.
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With a star-studded squad that has been built and led by charismatic coach Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool were a well-oiled, high-octane machine last season, but the new campaign starting 12 September is likely to be different and poses a big question. if Liverpool can dominate the league to the same extent next season.
Winning 26 of the first 27 games gave the Reds an impregnable advantage. It also meant that the team was never under pressure, as the rivals were never able to get close enough to create tension.
A NARROWER SCHEDULE THIS TIME
This time it may be different.
First, with the EPL starting a month later than usual, due to delays from last season, but still ending at the same time next May, we will see a tighter schedule of games.
Teams like Liverpool, which also qualified for the continental Champions League, may have to play almost 50 games in eight months, including the EPL and two national cup tournaments: the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. The number of games could increase if they advance to the later stages of these competitions.
Liverpool and Manchester City will be the main contenders for the title next season. (Photo: AFP / LAURENCE GRIFFITHS)
Such a grueling schedule will place unprecedented demands on the teams.
This means that the strength of the Liverpool team is likely to be tested more seriously than before. Liverpool were relentless last season, but were also relatively fortunate in terms of key player injuries.
The star attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane missed a combined seven games between them.
The defense was equally stable. Center-back Virgil van Dijk was always present with 38 games as was Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Andy Robertson missing just two.
However, the packed schedule this time will also have a bigger impact on Liverpool than most. Klopp’s preferred counter pressure playing style is physically demanding and has been criticized by observers for opening players up to injury and fatigue.
In a season where players only had around six weeks to recover and reach peak fitness during the offseason from mid-July to September, compared to the usual three-month summer vacation, injuries are not unexpected. .
LACK OF TEMPLATE DEPTH
This brings me to the second, and related point, why Liverpool may not be able to replicate their dominance this season. Compared to many of their title rivals, such as Chelsea and Manchester City, the Liverpool team does not have similar depth, as their bench does not have a quality of players comparable to that of the starting eleven.
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Belgian Divock Origi has scored some big goals in recent seasons, but he’s not a comparable replacement for Liverpool’s talisman forward three.
With Croatian center-back Dejan Lovren also coming out in the summer, Liverpool only have Joel Matip and Joe Gomez as Van Dijk’s proven partners at the heart of Liverpool’s defense.
Injuries to key players could leave them particularly vulnerable in key areas.
FILE PHOTO: Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk (back) presses Brighton’s Neal Maupay (front) during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton on July 8 2020 (AFP / Pool /). Daniel Leal-Olivas)
The problem seems more acute to date, Liverpool only added Kostas Tsimikas to the team. The left-back arrived in August from Greek giant Olympiacos as a substitute for Andy Robertson.
The Reds have been interested in Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcántara, but are unwilling to pay the € 30 million asking price to bring the Spaniard to Anfield.
Some Reds fans, who have just finished celebrating a first English title in three decades, have begun to feel uneasy about the lack of new blood, but it comes as no surprise.
Klopp has been downplaying the prospect of big spending in this transfer window for months, but despite the success, fans are always yearning for new signings, especially as some team players, like Lovren and Adam Lallana, have walked away with more, including key midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, possibly following them out of the gate before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool do not have the massive financial backing of their rivals, which means they can’t stay very far away for long, according to Manchester United legend and Premier League expert Gary Neville.
“What would worry me about Liverpool for a long period of time would be if they were bought by a super wealthy owner, investing at the level of Manchester City (or) Manchester United,” Neville said in July. “Liverpool still, in their transfer business, is still quite modest compared to the other clubs.”
THE RIVALS HAVE STRENGTHENED
Inevitably, other teams have grown stronger. City’s problems lie with defense and the signing of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth should help rectify that. The ambitious club and their world-famous coach Pep Guardiola will be hungry to win the title again.
Dutch defender Nathan Ake (center) celebrates after scoring a goal against Italy during an international soccer friendly match. (MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)
Chelsea, fourth last season, has been the biggest spender so far in this window. The Blues have spent over £ 200m on six major signings, including RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner, Ajax Amsterdam’s Hakim Ziyech and Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz.
Manchester United have been calmer, but the addition of Dutch international Donny van de Beek will add quality and the possibility of England star Jadon Sancho arriving from Borussia Dortmund would give the team, with 20 league titles to Liverpool’s 19. , a real opportunity to challenge.
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The January signing of Bruno Ferndandes was a huge success and with World Cup winning midfielder Paul Pogba in good shape, United, who finished third last season, should be a much bigger threat this time around.
SMAINTAINING A WINNING MENTALITY
And then there is the mental side of maintaining victories. Liverpool accumulated 97 points in the previous season and then achieved 99.
It’s an incredible achievement, but keeping it for the third year will be difficult. Manchester City managed 100 points and then 98 points before dropping considerably last season and taking 81.
Chelsea also struggled with this so-called third season syndrome. Winning the title in 2005 with 95 points, the Blues took 91 the second year. By the third, that had dropped to 83. Maintaining the mentality of winning almost every game can take its toll.
Liverpool won the league last season despite scoring 17 fewer goals than City and conceding just two fewer. City thrashed more teams while Liverpool won 14 games by a single goal margin.
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Keep getting those narrow victories, when an opposition goal can cost two points, it will be difficult to maintain and a true test of the hunger and mentality of the players.
The fact that matches are played without or with relatively few fans for the foreseeable future due to the threat of coronavirus may affect Liverpool more than its rivals.
Anfield Stadium can be a cauldron of red passion and can inspire the team, with a style of play that depends on intensity and energy, at higher heights.
Kop at Anfield were quiet in Liverpool’s first home game since becoming Premier League champion AFP / Shaun Botterill
The likes of Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium or Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge aren’t all that intimidating.
It may be more than a coincidence that Liverpool didn’t look so impressive after the league was restarted when fans were unable to attend matches.
Liverpool have won their first title in 30 years, but only Manchester City have successfully defended the English Premier League victory in the last decade. The Reds are the team to beat, but winning the next title will be more difficult than the last.
John Duerden has lived in Asia for 20 years and covers the sports scene in the region. He is the author of three books, including Lions & Tigers – The History of Football in Singapore and Malaysia (2017).
