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Premier League giants Liverpool have won 19 league titles in their rich history. The English club's heydays were in the 1970s and 1980s as they topped the league table a whopping 11 times. But the grass wasn’t always greener at Anfield. Following their 18th title in 1989-90, Liverpool went on to a 30-year drought.
Jurgen Klopp, who arrived in 2015, managed to turn doubters into believers. He delivered their first Premier League title in 2019-20, after narrowly missing out in 2018-19. After a convincing title-winning season, everyone expected Liverpool to win their 20th league title last season, but that wasn’t the case.
Liverpool have a rejuvenated look this Premier League season
With fans back in the stadiums, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane scoring goals for fun and a fully-fit backline to rely upon, Liverpool have been excellent this season. They have already performed very well in the Premier League and are third in the table. Their Champions League and League Cup records have been perfect so far as well.
Apart from the regular challengers in Manchester City, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea are also making a case for themselves. Liverpool cannot afford to drop points against lesser opposition in what is looking like a three-horse race. However, taking points off direct competitors will be goldust for Liverpool.
This article looks at five matches Liverpool should win if they want to win the ongoing Premier League season and go level with Manchester United on 20 league titles:
#5 Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
As mentioned earlier, teams like Liverpool are expected to take all three points against mid-table and relegation-threatened teams. However, this encounter against Crystal Palace will not be as straightforward as it seems.
For starters, Liverpool will be without the services of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in January due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
January has statistically been the worst month for Liverpool during the reign of Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool lost to Southampton and Burnley in the league in January 2021, the latter ending their 68-match unbeaten home run. They were also knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of bitter rivals Manchester United.
Crystal Palace have been a bogey team for Liverpool in the past. The Patrick Vieira-coached team have been decent in the league so far and are currently 10th on the table. They have drawn seven matches already, meaning they could end up frustrating Klopp on the night. Considering all these factors, Liverpool will have to ensure they get all three points against the Eagles.
#4 Liverpool vs Everton
The Merseyside Derby has produced some magical and memorable moments in the past. The match is scheduled towards the end of the campaign, i.e., April 23. Everton broke their Anfield jinx by beating Liverpool in their own backyard for the first time since 1999 last season.
Chelsea and Manchester City will hope the Toffees repeat the feat. While this match will definitely affect the title race in the Premier League, it could also have severe implications on the UEFA Champions League.
Considering how dominant Liverpool have been in the group stages, one wouldn’t put it past Jurgen Klopp’s men to reach the latter stages of the competition. If they reach the semi-finals, Klopp will have to rotate his players. The first leg of the Champions League semi-final is scheduled to take place just a few days after the derby at Anfield.
Given the lack of depth in quality at Klopp’s disposal, it could turn out to be a classic case of what to focus on if Liverpool progress to the semi-finals. Hence, the result of this match could go a long way in deciding the fate of the Premier League title.
#3 Liverpool vs Manchester United
Liverpool obliterated Manchester United in the Premier League when the two sides met at Old Trafford earlier this season. While there is no real reason why the Reds cannot produce a similar result at Anfield, the match will still hold utmost importance in Liverpool’s title bid.
Ralf Rangnick has reportedly agreed to take over as interim manager at Manchester United. The German tactician will strive to instill his beliefs and develop a style of play during his time at Old Trafford. Liverpool have had the wood over Manchester United in the league recently, but the 13-time Premier League champions would love to dent Liverpool’s title ambitions.
The North-West Derby will take place on March 19 and will be followed by the international break. Jurgen Klopp knows how infuriating it is to drop points in the league just before his players go on international duty.
If Liverpool are to clinch the Premier League title this season, they will match Manchester United’s 20 league title record. This scenario will make this contest an even more exciting affair.
#2 Chelsea vs Liverpool
Chelsea have been the best side in the Premier League so far. The Thomas Tuchel-coached unit have been equally ruthless in attack and defense. They currently top the table on 29 points, three more than Manchester City and four more than Liverpool.
Liverpool were unable to take advantage of a 10-man Chelsea side earlier this season. The matches between Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City will be key in deciding the winner of this season’s Premier League title.
Chelsea will host Liverpool on January 2, a couple of weeks before Chelsea and Manchester City battle it out in the league. This period will be crucial in the context of the Premier League campaign and could make or break Chelsea’s season.
Liverpool’s recent record at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League has been exemplary. The Reds have earned victories in their last two visits and have lost just once in their last seven away matches against Chelsea.
With that being said, Chelsea are an entirely different animal under Tuchel, and the game will be fiercely contested.
#1 Manchester City vs Liverpool
It comes as no surprise that this fixture tops this list. Manchester City and Liverpool’s rivalry during the Pep-Klopp era has been well documented. The reverse fixture, which ended 2-2, is arguably the match of the season so far.
As both the teams have formed a sort of duopoly for the Premier League title in recent years, they are favorites to win the league again.
The match is scheduled for April 9, sandwiching the all-important Premier League fixture between the two Champions League quarter-final legs. Moreover, since the game will take place during the last quarter of the season, a win for either side could turn the tables in their favour. Needless to say, Chelsea will be keeping a firm eye on the result at Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola hasn’t managed to lift the Champions League during his successful stint at Manchester City. He may give priority to the Champions League quarter-final matches. Either way, Liverpool will have to ensure they perform well against the reigning Premier League champions in order to win their 20th league title.
