Remember Rafael Benitez? Remember the place Steven Gerrard-captained Liverpool completed within the 2008-2009 season of the English Premier League (EPL)? Good – Because nobody hardly talks about runners-up in top-flight soccer. After propelling Liverpool to the highest of the Premier League within the ongoing season at Christmas, supervisor Arne Slot is tasked to emulate his predecessor Jurgen Klopp within the the rest of the marketing campaign.
Klopp’s high-flying Liverpool sealed the highest spot at Christmas in 2019 and have been topped champions the following 12 months. A season earlier than the unforgettable EPL and UEFA Champions League double, the Reds surrendered the highest spot after topping the standings at Christmas. The Anfield stalwarts have been on the prime of the Premier League within the lead-up to the 2019 and 2020 switch home windows. Liverpool completed second to champions Manchester City within the 2018-2019 season. A season later, the Reds managed to proper their incorrect by clinching the Premier League after topping the standings at Christmas.
Arne ‘Slots’ Liverpool to prime in post-Klopp period
Breathing wonderful within the post-Klopp period, Liverpool bagged an announcement win over Tottenham Hotspur to strengthen their Premier League title bid below Slot’s watch. A nine-goal Christmas blockbuster away from dwelling noticed Liverpool upstage Ange Postecoglou’s males 6-3 to go 4 factors away from second-placed Chelsea. Liverpool have topped the Premier League standings on a number of events at Christmas. However, the Merseyside heavyweights have had a horrible run in relation to retaining the highest spot after the festive season.
How will historical past repeat itself in Premier League?
The 19-time English top-flight champions have reached the summit for the seventh time at Christmas in Premier League’s historical past. Of these seven makes an attempt, the Reds have solely managed to elevate the well-known trophy simply as soon as – the 2019-2020 season. That’s why Liverpool’s conversion charge is simply 16.6%. No workforce has earned the highest spot at Christmas greater than Liverpool (21) within the Premier League. Overall, Liverpool have been topped champions 11 instances out of 20 after ending first on 25 December.
Christmas in London and Manchester
While Liverpool have struggled to enhance their run-of-the-mill report, Chelsea, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, and Leicester City have by no means did not win the Premier League after topping the EPL desk at Christmas. Talking about eras, Arsenal have achieved desk supremacy at Christmas 4 instances because the EPL was rebranded in 1992. Interestingly, the Gunners have by no means tasted EPL glory after being prime on December 25.
Last season, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City occupied the fifth spot at Christmas. The Citizens unlocked their fourth EPL title in 2024. City’s bitter rivals Manchester United have been fifth in 1996-1997 and the Red Devils ended up successful the league. Guardiola’s males have been eighth within the 2020-2021 season at Christmas and City nonetheless claimed the Premier League title. City additionally maintain the report for drawing the most important lead on December 25 and staking the declare of the Premier League trophy.
Manchester City have been 13 factors clear within the 2017-18 season when Guardiola collected his first EPL title. Only 4 instances has the Premier League witnessed a workforce successful the highest honour after being exterior the Champions League qualification spots at Christmas. After 17 video games, Chelsea are second with 35 factors whereas table-toppers Liverpool (39) have a recreation in hand.
Remember Gerrard’s slip and the Demba Ba winner? Good.
