Can Liverpool still win the Premier League after the draw against Manchester United?
After dropping points at Old Trafford during a crucial juncture of the season, Liverpool find themselves trailing the Premier League by goal difference to Arsenal, and just one point above Manchester City with the same number of games played.
A visit to Old Trafford to face Erik ten Hag’s side has been the kryptonite for Jurgen Klopp. Three visits, a draw and two defeats. Far from ideal. One of these defeats, earlier this season in the FA Cup has a very similar statistic to our recent 2-2 draw against them in the league. Liverpool were tactically the superior team by a countrymile, but failed to make it count where it mattered the most, that is in front of the goal.
Too many missed opportunities came to bite the Reds back, denying them a spot in the next round of the FA Cup, and denying them two additional points after a performance which felt like we should have wrapped up proceedings as early as the 30th minute. Nevertheless, fair play to Manchester United, they did what they did and stole a point from us, and are now celebrating it like a win. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Uncertainties
Now, the question that arises is, can Liverpool still win the Premier League with Arsenal and Manchester City also within touching distance of glory? There’s absolutely no reason to believe we cannot, but Jurgen Klopp will have to take his decision very smartly with games dying down.
In terms of team selection, we could have done better at Old Trafford. Yes, Jarell Quansah has been brilliant throughout the season, but he looked very nervy on our last visit to Manchester United and it was the same this time around as well. Ibrahima Konate has done nothing which does not warrant a place in the XI. Although there was a small injury scare in the game against Sheffield United, the manager confirmed that it was not serious. If it was not so serious, we should have played the Frenchman instead of the 21-year-old whose mistake eventually led to United scoring the first of their two goals. Having said that, mistakes happen Jarell, keep your head up. You’re a wonderful talent.
Let us, just for the sake of it, assume that the teams accumulate maximum points from all of their remaining home games. What’s left for Liverpool is a visit to Fulham, Everton, West Ham and Aston Villa. Every game is so much different from each other. We have to counter Fulham’s counter-attack, Everton and West Ham’s low-block and Aston Villa’s possession-based game.
Possibilities
Arsenal play Wolves, Spurs and Man United away. If we assume Man United will play like they did against us, we can wave the league goodbye already. Man City, on the other hand, play Brighton, Forest, Fulham and Spurs away.
What’s the common factor between the three competing teams? All teams are yet to play Spurs who can play a huge part in deciding who gets to win the Premier League. Tottenham are fourth on the table, and quite far from the actual title race; 11 points between them and Arsenal. For Ange Postecoglou, it will surely mean a lot if his team finish in a UCL spot. They, alongside Aston Villa, will play a huge role in what’s to come shortly for Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City.
It has surely become tough to call who might nick it away. But considering the psychological drive Liverpool have behind them with Jurgen Klopp and the narrative of his last season on Merseyside, you cannot count them out. Arsenal, have been in this situation before and bottled it [last season] so not resting high hopes on them to win everything. However, they have shown massive levels of consistency this season and credit to them.
Manchester City thrive on such pressure, and have time and again, run away with the league from positions like this. You surely cannot call what might happen.
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Having said that, we HAVE TO go 7/7 from this stage to have any chance of Premier League glory in Klopp’s final season here. Let’s see how things go. Team selection and injury management will hold paramount importance for Liverpool in the coming few days.
