Six seriously scary Liverpool stats that should make Man City nervous
Liverpool regained control of the Premier League title race at least for a few hours after running out 1-0 winners against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park this afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp’s men now sit two points clear of defending champions Manchester City who visit Leeds United later in the day. Naby Keita scored a somewhat controversial goal in the 19th minute which ultimately separated both sides and proved to be Liverpool’s earliest in a league game they won 1-0 since December 2016 against Manchester City (Georginio Wijnaldum after 8 minutes).
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After winning possession, that also saw him catch Magpies defender Fabian Schar who stayed down injured, James Milner began the attack which resulted in Keita — after playing a one-two with Diogo Jota — bagging his third of the season and seventh overall since joining the club. In fact, all of those strikes have come against different opponents. By going into the break in front and then seeing it out Liverpool are consequently unbeaten in their last 110 league matches when leading at half-time (100 wins and 10 draws). A run that dates back to 4th December 2016 against Bournemouth (3-4 loss).
The Reds are subsequently unbeaten in their last five English top division away games against Newcastle (three wins and two draws) equalling their longest such run which came between September 1961 and May 1969. But more importantly, Liverpool maintained an impressive run of form which has only strengthened their case to win an unprecedented quadruple, Klopp’s side have now taken 40 points from their last 42 available, keeping 11 clean sheets in this run.
Form is one thing, but having the required depth is possible to chase history. First-team regulars Mohamed Salah, Thiago and Fabinho all started on the bench before coming on in the second half while Trent Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute. Joe Gomez filled in for Liverpool’s first choice right-back with club great Jamie Carragher describing his performance as “outstanding”, the same compliment was also reserved for Alexander-Arnold’s regular partner-in-crime on the opposite flank Andrew Robertson.
Gomez won three of his attempted tackles and made a game-high three interceptions, the same number as Robertson, who showered praise on his defensive colleagues.
“They didn’t have many chances. I thought the two centre-backs and Joe Gomez were different class,” he told BT Sport.
“We’re blessed we’ve got everyone fit just now – maybe apart from Bobby [Firmino]. We made five changes today, but the lads that are coming in are putting in big performances. We need that between now and the end of the season.”
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The aforementioned Jota and key winter signing Luis Diaz supported Sadio Mane up top while Keita, Milner and skipper Jordan Henderson — playing his 50th game of the season — formed Liverpool’s midfield triumvirate. It’s a perfect illustration of the squad-building that has taken place under Klopp’s leadership and the German tactician was in celebratory mood this week after he renewed his contract until 2026.
It’s hard to see where Liverpool are going to drop points let alone concede in the final stretch with the average position of their upcoming opponents being 10th place. They’ve now kept 21 clean sheets in this season’s Premier League (more than any other side) – only in 2005/06 (22) have the Merseyside giants produced more shutouts in a single campaign.
Tottenham at home in a week’s time represents the biggest challenge with away days at Aston Villa and Southampton to come before ending the 2021/22 campaign at Anfield with Wolves the visitors.
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