My thoughts exactly, Little Luke. And Pullis should win manager of season, what ever 'Pool do. Let's face it, 'Pool are only in with a chance because United have been so ****e, and Arsenal have imploded even more than they usually do. Plus, of course, we have been absolutely abysmal.
We beat them home and away, we beat you home and away, we've shared the points with Arsenal and City so hardly that we've been reliant upon United's performances.
Liverpool have benefited from the top three of last season all changing manager and entering a period of transition to a greater or lesser degree. City should have bought another top class centre half - that would have made a difference. Arsenal, as ever, failed to address glaring weaknesses in their squad and that inevitably proved costly. Many things have conspired in their favour to promote Liverpool from 7th to the top with a great chance of winning the title. It's hard to see them higher than 4th had these other teams had their houses in order. I give credit to Rodgers and especially Gerrard, both of whom have organised, motivated and inspired the rest and acknowledge the exceptional talent of Suarez, without whom they wouldn't have had a sniff. They have a 'keeper who is prone to making areas, a leaky defence and a group of emerging midfield and forward players, who can be hit and miss. They have needed a fair amount of luck and even more tenacity to get results in some games which now look to be crucial - I'm thinking of the late penalty to win at Fulham, the 4-3 against Swansea and early season when they scraped 1-0 wins (including v Utd) without Suarez and when not playing well.
Not disputing that. But I think they've been fortunate that their best has been good enough this season. Or looks like it will be - they are not home and dry yet.
LDL, our best this season has been better than yours since Ronaldo left. You play dull football, even when you won titles. Scrappy flukey wins.
Liverpool have conceded 42 goals in 34 games (8th best) - conceding 2 or more 13 times. The defence is nowhere near a title winning standard, even if the attack is. In most seasons, a profligate defence would cost a team the title. I think Liverpool have got away with it because the other contenders have been in transition and not been able to take advantage. 7th to 1st in a season is unusual in the modern game. In 2012 both City and Utd finished with 89 points and scored lots of goals - but they only conceded 29 and 33 respectively. Neither had an Achilles heel like Liverpool. I think it's fair to comment that they've been fortunate to have had such a great chance to win it this season.
1-0 against Stoke with a last minute penalty save, 1-0 against Villa after they battered you, edging United 1-0 after they dominated possession, 2 penalties to beat West Ham, injury time penalty against Fulham, dodgy penalty against Stoke with the scores level. How are we describing scrapiong lucky wins again? I assume none of these count in the level-headed mind of a Mouser. One great league season with poor cup runs and it's already better than a United team that went for the treble - finishing with the league title, an FA Cup semi and a CL final. It's probably a good time to remind you that you haven't won anything yet this season
"Liverpool have conceded 42 goals in 34 games (8th best) - conceding 2 or more 13 times. The defence is nowhere near a title winning standard, even if the attack is." Basic stattery on the PL shows a goals against < 40 is a trait of the title-winning sides. However there are a couple of occasions where the total is > 40, but the goals for total has been very large. If the Poool win the PL this season, that will merely be one more such occasion.
Talking of stats. Can anyone work out why Arsenal and Utd are not in contention for the title from this? http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2013-2014/versus-bottom-half/full
"Talking of stats. Can anyone work out why Arsenal and Utd are not in contention for the title from this?" From what ?? The key traits exhibited by a PL side that finishes in the top 4 with at least 76 pts are : - GD > 30 - goals conceded < 40 How are said teams doing on either of the above basic traits (before even remotely considering discussing them as title contenders) ??
It was much simpler, RDBD - they have both been outplayed in the games v top sides despite having the best records v the rest.
"t was much simpler, RDBD - they have both been outplayed in the games v top sides despite having the best records v the rest." They both currently have GD of +18. Thus failing trait 1. The Goons have conceded 41. Thus failing trait 2. That tells me that neither are going to finish with 76 pts. And thus never title contenders.
Alan Smith is the worst summariser ever. Sterling's goal took no deflection despite him saying so time after time. What a goal. No way will Townsend play if Sterling is fit in the summer.
While I know I'm late to the party, I'd just like to say: the special one loses his special record against the worst team in the league--and one Spurs hammered two weeks ago--due to a bad call? It simply could not have happened to a nicer guy. Chelsea have benefitted ridiculously from unfair decisions for years. Mourinho's intimidation of officials has made a mockery of fair play. Officials have even permitted him to walk onto the field and tell them to start benefitting his team--and then followed orders. Right or wrong, Mike Dean has more cojones than the rest of the PL officials put together. On the topic being discussed: While I'd prefer City to Liverpool, the big thing to me is that neither Chelsea nor Arsenal get the title. I'd say Liverpool win for the simple reason that they score goals. Ever since three points were awarded a win, there's been a premium on scoring. The more goals there are in your matches (by both sides), the fewer draws you'll have. the fewer draws you have, the more points you'll have, other things being equal.
Phil in Dundee: Can't remember the last Liverpool game I watched where Martin Skrtel didn't pull shirts so blatantly. How he gets away without giving away a ton of penalties is beyond me. (Source: tweet to BBC Football website) I know the answer to that one, Phil. It's because the media so desperately want 'Pool to win the title that subtle pressure is placed on refs to "turn a blind eye" to the kinds of antics that get other players booked or sent off. Oh, and penalties are awarded to 'Pool, not against them. That is a cardinal rule, mate.
So, The Smug One is now reliant upon Crystal Palace beating 'Pool, if Chavs are to win the EPL. That's assuming, of course, his tired version of Dad's Army is able to beat 'Pool at Klanfield. I suspect that Mad Dog is already preparing the P45.
