It is uncanny how some people are somehow able to peer beyond the present whilst having some kind of epiphanous revelation and suddenly make some awkward pronouncements regarding things and persons that could have momentous significance in the not too distant future. That would of course be the moment when all others within earshot would be wondering if that particular person has flown too close to the cuckoo’s nest.
It was none other than the great Sir Alex Ferguson who actually nursed a nagging concern about Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool even as far back as 2016, and made special mention of the German manager even then:
“I’m worried about him because the one thing United don’t want is Liverpool to get above us. It can happen that big clubs lose it. For two decades, Liverpool changed managers without building their own identity.”
He added, “You can now well and truly sense that you have to count them in this year. You can see Klopp’s dedication on the sideline, I’m convinced his work in training is similar. He’s a strong personality. That’s absolutely vital at a big club.”
Apparently, Liverpool’s ascension to the top of club world football is something the great doyen himself had forecasted several years ago, especially regarding how Klopp could well be the individual playing a key role to help topple United’s dominance. Well, to be certain, Sir Alex Ferguson’s concerns about Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have finally become a prophetic reality.
Having spent the better part of three decades festering in the massive shadow of their mighty nemesis of old, Liverpool is finally poised to take that flight of total emancipation out of the shadows into the limelight. The time is now well nigh for Jurgen and his mighty men to prepare for their coronation as the most likely English Premier League champions. Few, if any, would have the effrontery to doubt their claims to the title now.
Liverpool’s most recent 2-0 win over United at Anfield has positioned the European champions at a convincing 16 points at the top of the Premier League and a whopping 30 points ahead of fifth-placed United.
Suffice it to say that even at the pinnacle of United’s heyday when they eclipsed Liverpool’s record of 18 English titles with their own 20 under Sir Alex Ferguson, never was there such a chasm between the two rival giants as what exists currently.
Between Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday and the drop in points by Manchester City and Leicester, the Reds’ due diligence for their elusive 30-year Premier League title wait is now clear.
Liverpool currently stand 16 points ahead of Manchester City atop the Premier League table with only one more game in hand as Pep Guardiola’s boys could only manage a draw at best against Crystal Palace on Saturday. This leaves City now with 48 points after 23 games. Leicester City sits third 45 points after 23 games with their weekend loss to Burnley.
City at best can amass 93 points should they win all 15 of their remaining matches. Leicester’s maximum points would be 90 if they win all their remaining 15 matches in a row.
The scenario for Jurgen’s Liverpool is fairly straightforward. With 16 games left to play in their season, the Reds could achieve a maximum of 112 points. However, at this all-important juncture, all they require are 94 points to wrest the Premier League title from the incumbent Etihad team. This means winning only 10 more games, regardless of the the ensuing performance of all other teams in the League.
Would anyone in their right minds dare to take a wager against them now?