21 Jun 2020 10:14:40
Hope all Ed’s and reds are doing well. Haven’t posted in a couple of years.
Just a quick one to get people’s thoughts.
So happy we are so close, can’t wait to have it in the bag. Etc etc.
But I have had a feeling all season. That we’ve been overachieving, that we are not quite as good as the hyperbole.
We won a lot of matches that we could easily have drawn or lost.
What’s everyone’s thoughts on next year, will we stay at this level? Challenge again?
We have been ridiculously lucky with injuries. One or two injuries next year puts us in trouble.
Although in fairness our biggest strength is that we are a team. More than the sum of its parts and I get that. But how will we fare with this same 16 for next season?

{Ed001's Note - isn't that the same for every team that wins a league? Every team that does so has to win games they could have easily lost, that's why they win it.}

1.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 10:25:15
To be fair we have had injuries at various times with Alisson and Fabinho both being out for long periods and yet here we are, still leading the pack by more than 20 points. If the AFCON gets kicked into the long grass for another year I think we can go into next season with every confidence of defending the title. That’s our biggest issue, if it goes ahead then it’s roughly six weeks without Salah and Mane who account for over 50% our goals and looking around our squad I’m not seeing much in the way of capable replacement for that.

2.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 10:28:28
We’ll be in the conversation next year no doubt. It’s not a fluke that we’ve lost 2 league games in 2 seasons mate.

3.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 10:37:24
United spent seasons winning Leagues on games they were fortunate to win.

The one player I think we need to replace is Shaqiri. He hasn't been fit and it hasn't really worked out.

4.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 10:54:42
On one hand we have won a few games like that, by the odd goal, maybe a little fortunate, but at the same time in most games we waste many good opportunities too so the opposition could count themselves fortunate that it's not a riot. If anything it gives us a clear direction to still improve.

5.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 11:15:43
This one can only be true for your perspective! There are so many variables it's not worth trying to imagine if this and that happened then it would mean this . . .

For me, it can be considered an anomaly that we have won so many games, but that it was usually happens when we are on track to break records! The title winners are the ones who drop the fewest points over the course of the season. It is odd that we have dropped so few but it is testament to the team that they have, more often than not, turned losses and draws into 3 points. That level of excellence hasn't been achieved at this level ever in the PL. and I hope we go on to smash the points record and cement this side's legacy.

6.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 11:18:13
I understand the fear of loss that has set in because of the years prior to this period where we lost close games due to one thing or another; usually a silly error. Thankfully, Klopp has stamped a lot of that out and the team always plays with confidence even when behind on the score.

But the point is we have have lost only 2 games in 2 years in the EPL. Only two games. Let that sink in. If you accept that over time things balance out (luck as well as bad luck), doesn't that tell you it's one hell of a team? And that one way or another they find a way out of a tricky or losing situation?

Most of you will laugh, but my main concern now is how to make this last for the next 5 years. Our front 3, Hendo, Wiji, Van Dijk will all hit or go past 30 in a couple of years and I'm eager to see the beginnings of the next generation because Klopp will be around to at least 2024.

7.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 11:28:20
I see both sides to your point really. There have been times we kept slugging out wins but many of those games only looked uncomfortable from our own sloppy errors as opposed to being matched or outplayed, I feel for every one of our wins we were always the better side over 90 mins and of course a few results could have been different if luck went against us but overall we have earned every point quite deservedly through the season.

8.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 11:36:52
We’ve been awesome for two seasons now. That’s no fluke.
We’ll be right up there again.
Confidence is so high, and that’s the ingredient x that wins titles and trophies.

9.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 11:43:53
The best teams always find a way to win, remember Man Utd and 'Fergie Time'. I would be gutted watching lucky Utd win yet another match in injury time, when I felt they should have lost or drawn. But Man Utd won because they were the best and kept going to the last second.
Liverpool are the same and the games that they have won by 1 goal, is not down to just luck but being superior, as they always have more possession and create more chances than the opposition. All teams need luck with injuries as they are all affected by losing their star players.

10.) 21 Jun 2020
21 Jun 2020 11:48:21
All good points guys.
Much to think on.
3 points today please!
YNWA.