[ad_1]
When Liverpool lost 7-2 to Aston Villa On October 4, his ability to defend the Premier League title he won in that style in the 2019-20 season was questioned.
His performance at Selhurst Park was ominous for those rivals who would like to think they can capitalize on the season’s unusual circumstances to mount a challenge, and who would like to prevent the Reds from winning consecutive titles for the first time. since 1984.
A piece of Christmas history but ‘the season is not over’
Liverpool are now the first team to spend three consecutive Christmases at the top of the English league since they accomplished the feat from 1978 to 1980.
And the stats are a good read for the Reds: 11 of the last 15 teams that led the way on Dec. 25 have won the title.
Liverpool have a five point lead at the top of the table after Everton victory over Arsenal on Saturday.
However, manager Jurgen Klopp indicated that this was not the time to get too excited.
“I am not satisfied, I am absolutely happy at the time because it was a first-rate game, but at a time like this there is no point in being crazy about something,” Klopp said.
“The season is not over. There are some games left, but we will be ready.”
Klopp is a much happier manager now than after that cold October night in the West Midlands.
Following Villa’s shocking defeat, he said his side had “lost the plot.”
Liverpool became the first reigning champion to concede seven goals in a league game since Sunderland beat Arsenal 7-1 in September 1953.
But since the embarrassment at Villa Park, Klopp’s side has raised the table. His phenomenal attacking display at Selhurst Park was an important declaration of intent.
They don’t have the 10 point cushion They enjoyed Christmas Day 2019, and Tottenham could reduce their lead to three points when they face Leicester on Sunday. But Liverpool’s lead means their rivals are already catching up.
How good was Liverpool against Palace?
In short, very.
“We scored wonderful goals in the first half and even more so in the second half,” Klopp said. “We controlled the game and we did not allow Crystal Palace to return, so [it was a] wonderful performance. “
The facts do not lie. Liverpool dominated possession, had five different scorers and attempted 14 shots against Palace’s five. On the BBC Sport player evaluator, no Liverpool player scored less than 7.62.
“We were clinicians in front of goal,” added Captain Jordan Henderson. “All the finishes were brilliant. Mo’s [Salah] It was brilliant, that last one, and Bobby’s [Firmino] they were brilliant. Taki’s [Minamino] as well.
“We are focused on what is important to us, be it the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, etc. It is a difficult period for everyone, so we must move on. We have some players coming back from a major injury to U.S “.
Former England captain Alan Shearer said in the day’s match: “It was a devastating show of completion. The appreciation and understanding of what’s in and around the players and then the space for others to execute is very smart.
“Sit back and admire Salah’s second goal, it was magnificent from all the forwards on the field.”
Former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas added: “There are a lot of players in the Liverpool squad who can rest, but the demands and momentum is coming from the captain, leader Jordan Henderson.
“He leads by example and does a lot of selfless work. If the wings come forward and lose the ball, Henderson is in a great position to help. We give Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson applause for all the assists they did.” get, but Henderson does a lot of his work. “
‘We are humiliated by the result’
Coach since 1976, Roy Hodgson has seen enough football ups and downs to maintain a sense of perspective. The head of Crystal Palace is not a man to use words like “humiliated” lightly.
So the fact that he used that word on Saturday was an indicator of his strength of feeling.
“There is nothing positive I can say,” said Hodgson, who looked like a helpless figure. “We are humiliated by the result. We take it very badly. For most of us in the locker room, we have not been to the end of a 7-0 loss.”
“We just have to get over it. There’s no point in dwelling on it and we have to learn lessons.”
The result was Liverpool’s first league win by a margin of seven or more goals since a 9-0 win over Crystal Palace in September 1989.
Liverpool were also the best at Christmas that season. They went on to win the title by nine points.
