After a near-perfect begin to Arne Slot’s reign, Liverpool will finish 2024 eight factors away from Nottingham Forest on the high of the Premier League with a sport in hand.
What does that imply? Nothing sure, Slot and his gamers will most likely say. The figures, too, may bear that out: of the final 20 events once they have topped the pile because the yr begins, Liverpool have gone on to win the league 11 instances.
In recent times, they’ve grow to be champions after establishing a 13-point lead and missed out after having a seven-point benefit. And 75 years in the past, they went from first to eighth in the course of the second half of the season.
From Jurgen Klopp and Kenny Dalglish to Bob Paisley and Invoice Shankly, 101GreatGoals.com examines the triumphs, near-misses and failures throughout Liverpool’s observe document from this place.
2023/24: Klopp finale falls brief
There was discuss of Liverpool going for a quadruple in Jurgen Klopp’s ultimate season, helped by his facet shifting high with a 2-0 win at Burnley on Boxing Day and beating Newcastle 4-2 at residence on New 12 months’s Day.
A defeat at Arsenal in February and losses at residence to Crystal Palace and away to Everton in April in the end left them 9 factors off champions Manchester Metropolis, with Arsenal additionally seven factors above them.
Atalanta made a mockery of Liverpool’s standing as Europa League favourites by beating them 3-0 at Anfield, and Manchester United ousted them from the FA Cup after further time within the quarter-finals. Klopp did log off by including the Carabao Cup to the cupboard, although, because of an extra-time victory over Chelsea within the ultimate.
2020/21: Sad New 12 months
After one defeat earlier than the top of the yr, Liverpool have been handily positioned in 2020 with a three-point lead and vital objective distinction superiority over Manchester United, who had a sport in hand.
Attracts in opposition to West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle to finish 2020 hinted on the collapse to come back, together with defeats to Southampton and Burnley throughout a run of three video games and not using a objective to start out 2021.
Six defeats in seven matches in February and March contributed to Liverpool ending third, 5 factors behind United and 17 shy of champions Manchester Metropolis.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits their Premier League title defence is over following their 3-1 defeat at Leicester. pic.twitter.com/vED7KOUqgi
— Sky Sports activities Information (@SkySportsNews) February 13, 2021
2019/20: Champions ultimately
After dropping solely two factors earlier than the top of the yr, Liverpool have been 13 above Leicester Metropolis and 14 away from Manchester Metropolis with a sport in hand on each. Absolutely that lead was unassailable?
An eight-match profitable run at first of 2020 put them on their technique to profitable the title with seven video games to spare – a document in the course of the Premier League period, though they needed to wait till June to do it due to delays to the season brought on by the Covid pandemic.
They completed 18 factors above the second-placed Cityzens to win their first title for 30 years by a landslide, with relegated Watford the one crew to beat them earlier than they’d grow to be champions.
When the boss met @CalvinHarris 🤣
Inside our 2022 Parade 🔜 pic.twitter.com/kkKQsmFv4u
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) Could 31, 2022
2018/19: Metropolis too slick
Whereas Liverpool couldn’t fairly sustain the tempo that had seen them win 17 and draw three of their 20 video games earlier than the top of 2018, Manchester Metropolis’s profitable overhaul of a seven-point deficit had extra to do with Pep Guardiola’s crew profitable 18 and dropping considered one of their 19 matches from December 30.
Metropolis beat Liverpool 2-1 within the first fixture of 2019 for each of the near-flawless title rivals, and a run of 4 attracts in six video games for Klopp’s facet between January and March handed the Cityzens supremacy.
Liverpool gained their ultimate 9 league video games to take the race to the ultimate day and end on 97 factors – unsurprisingly, the best ever tally for a crew ending second in one of many main European leagues. They did, nonetheless, win the Champions League that season.
“In fact it hurts.”
“97 factors, come on. It’s a loopy quantity. It’s the perfect season I ever performed with a crew.”
Jurgen Klopp speaks to @beINSPORTS about his “combined” feelings as his Liverpool facet end second within the Premier League on 97 factors.#beINPL #LIVWOL #YNWA pic.twitter.com/OFWyQeo3DP
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) Could 12, 2019
2008/09: Attracts do the injury
Liverpool’s second and ultimate defeat of the 2008/09 season got here at Middlesbrough in February, however they have been scuppered by a complete of 11 attracts, seven of which got here at Anfield.
Rafael Benitez’s facet have been three factors above Chelsea with an inferior objective distinction on New 12 months’s Eve, in addition to seven away from Manchester United, who had two video games in hand.
Successive attracts with Stoke Metropolis, Everton and Wigan Athletic at first of 2009 have been a part of a run of 11 dropped factors in seven video games, together with a draw at residence to Manchester Metropolis and that loss at Boro. Champions United misplaced twice as many video games as Liverpool however completed instantly above them by 4 factors.
Rafa Benitez’s details rant in opposition to Sir Alex Ferguson. pic.twitter.com/PHLMSMoYmi
— Sky Sports activities Retro (@SkySportsRetro) March 3, 2023
1996/97: Man United surge forward
John Barnes’ winner at Southampton meant Liverpool have been high for a sport on the finish of 1996, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Wimbledon all 5 factors behind and possessing matches in hand.
A 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on New 12 months’s Day was a part of a run that noticed Liverpool safe solely seven wins of their ultimate 17 league matches of the season, leaving Roy Evans’ crew fourth behind Arsenal and Newcastle on objective distinction.
United gained the title by seven factors – their fourth in 5 seasons – and did the double over Liverpool, together with a 3-1 win within the penultimate sport of the marketing campaign at Anfield.
#OnThisDay 1997
Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield.David Beckham scored a trademark free-kick, positioned to perfection! ⚽️ #MUFC
🎥 through @FootballInT80spic.twitter.com/Mq3XuoFhtV
— Soccer Remind ⚽️ (@FootballRemind) December 6, 2024
1989/90: Dalglish delivers
Arsenal have been unbeaten however Liverpool have been high by a degree in 1989 after the Gunners drew seven of their first 20 video games, with Crystal Palace, who had misplaced 9-0 within the second sport of the season at Anfield, solely three factors from the summit.
Liverpool have been within the midst of a 20-match unbeaten stretch in all competitions on New 12 months’s Eve, persevering with that run till a late 1-0 defeat at Tottenham in mid-March, which proved their solely league loss after November.
Kenny Dalglish’s gamers sealed the title with two video games to spare and completed 9 factors above second-placed Aston Villa, though Palace gained their revenge by beating them after further time within the FA Cup semi-finals.
Liverpool clinch the title in 1990 and Kenny Dalglish will get chucked within the bathtub. Pretty stuff.
https://t.co/rsQ44wKVrM— When Soccer Was Higher (@FootballInT80s) April 19, 2023
1988/89: Ninetieth-minute distress
After three defeats and a draw of their ultimate 5 video games of 1988, Liverpool completed the yr 4 factors away from Aston Villa and 5 above Arsenal, each of whom had a sport in hand however a major objective inferiority on the Reds.
Manchester United’s comeback win over Dalglish’s facet at Outdated Trafford on New 12 months’s Day was Liverpool’s solely defeat till their immortally dramatic ultimate sport of the season.
Arsenal arrived at Anfield needing a two-goal win to beat their hosts to the title. Alan Smith’s 52nd-minute opener seemed inadequate till Michael Thomas scored within the Ninetieth minute to offer the Gunners glory.
🗓 #OnThisDay in 1989…
No extra phrases wanted. pic.twitter.com/Ai62RwIR9j
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) Could 26, 2020
1987/1988: Title dominance
Unbeaten after 21 video games as a part of a 29-match unbeaten begin to the marketing campaign, Liverpool have been 10 factors above second-placed Nottingham Forest with a objective distinction of 40 on New 12 months’s Eve 1987.
Their first defeat was a painful one at Everton they usually suffered their second and ultimate league loss at Forest of their subsequent away sport, however completed 9 factors forward of Manchester United regardless of dropping factors in eight of their closing 12 video games.
Dalglish’s facet scored 16 extra instances than United and recorded a objective distinction of 63, however they may not discover a well beyond Wimbledon in a shock 1-0 FA Cup ultimate defeat to their underdog opponents.
Liverpool signed John Barnes #OnThisDay in 1987. Right here he runs out for his debut Vs Arsenal at Highbury. From this opening day sport, 87-88 season, alongside Beardsley and Aldridge you merely knew who was going to win the title. #Liverpool #YNWA #Arsenal #LFC @officialbarnesy🏆 pic.twitter.com/CBNZWdnZTR
— “YNWA” The Story of Liverpool FC (@LFCHistoryShow) June 9, 2023
1983/84: Treble pleasure
Three factors away from Manchester United on New 12 months’s Eve 1983, Liverpool had the joint-best defensive document alongside fourth-placed Southampton, with successive 1-0 defeats to United and Sunderland and a 4-0 thrashing at Coventry Metropolis their solely actual blemishes.
A draw in opposition to United and defeat to Wolves at Anfield marked an unpromising begin to 1984, with Ian Rush’s hat-trick – a part of a 47-goal season for the membership’s all-time high scorer – kickstarting their yr in a 3-1 win at Aston Villa.
Liverpool misplaced two and drew 5 of their 10 video games earlier than profitable the title with a sport to spare, helped by a stumbling Southampton who completed three factors behind them. Supervisor Joe Fagan additionally lifted the European Cup and League Cup in a spectacular marketing campaign.
40 years in the past in the present day:
It’s a frozen Friday evening at Villa Park and Ian Rush’s ending is totally ice-cold.
– Sidefoot
– Volley
– LobScientific.
— A Humorous Outdated Sport (@sid_lambert) January 20, 2024
1982/83: Paisley’s farewell
In Bob Paisley’s ultimate season earlier than his retirement, Liverpool completed the yr six factors away from Nottingham Forest and eight forward of Watford and Manchester United.
Rush scored six objectives of their six league wins at first of 1983 they usually remained unbeaten till April, with 5 defeats and two attracts of their ultimate seven video games nonetheless sufficient to safe the silverware by 11 factors forward of the Hornets.
Additionally they got here from behind to beat United 2-1 within the League Cup ultimate, though they suffered surprisingly early exits within the European Cup – to Polish opponents Widzew Lodz – and the FA Cup, dropping to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Paisley..Paisley..Paisley..🎶
Bob Paisley selecting up his Supervisor of the 12 months award in 1983. pic.twitter.com/9VS9oRqDEX— Davolaa (@Davolaar) September 13, 2023
1980/81: Fifth – however European champions
Liverpool have been degree on factors with Aston Villa on the high of the desk on the finish of 1980, foiled by drawing 12 of their first 25 video games however with 4 extra objectives scored than the Villans.
Paisley’s facet ended 9 factors behind Villa, having gained two fewer video games than any crew within the high seven, with three of their six defeats after December arriving throughout their first 4 matches of 1981.
Their travails within the league have been solely fleetingly troubling as Liverpool beat Actual Madrid within the European Cup ultimate and West Ham – through a comeback win in a replay – to carry the League Cup.
On This Day 1981
BBC1….LIVE
7:00-9:15pm
European Cup Ultimate
Alan Kennedy wins it for Liverpool, of their 1-0 victory over Actual Madrid in Paris.
Commentator Barry Davies.#LFC #YNWA pic.twitter.com/LueVGNbmVr— TV Soccer 1968-92 (@1968Tv) Could 27, 2024
1979/1980: Two factors decisive
With wins value two factors slightly than three till 1981/82, Liverpool have been two factors away from Manchester United with a sport in hand on New 12 months’s Eve 1979, helped by scoring 49 objectives – 12 greater than the next-highest scorers within the division, Norwich Metropolis.
Regardless of beginning 1980 with a draw at residence to Southampton and defeat at Coventry, Paisley’s crew might afford to lose their ultimate sport at Middlesbrough and nonetheless take the title by two factors after United misplaced 2-0 at Leeds United three days earlier.
Their season featured an FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Arsenal that required three replays, with the groups drawing at Hillsborough and twice at Villa Park, the place Dalglish scored a 91st-minute equaliser of their second assembly. Arsenal finally beat them 1-0 at Coventry’s former residence of Highfield Highway.
ITV Midweek Sports activities Particular
Could 1st 1980
Now that is what the FA Cup is all about.
Arsenal v Liverpool Semi Ultimate third Rep.
The 4th epic battle, Impartial Venue and a full home at Highfield Highway settled by Brian Talbot.
Commentator Brian Moore.
@FootballArchive #facup pic.twitter.com/tLj8iFCY4V— TV Soccer 1968-92 (@1968Tv) February 9, 2020
1978/79: Defences win titles
1-0 defeats at Arsenal and Bristol Metropolis made December Liverpool’s worst month of 1978/79, they usually completed the yr degree on factors with Everton however with a sport in hand on their metropolis rivals.
Third-placed West Brom have been two factors behind however with one sport extra to play than the Reds, though Nottingham Forest in the end took second spot, eight factors behind Liverpool.
Paisley oversaw another league defeat all season for a crew who conceded solely 16 objectives in 42 league video games. Their pursuit of a 3rd consecutive European Cup was far much less spectacular, ending within the first spherical to eventual champions Forest.
1976/77: Virtually the treble
In a precarious place atop the summit, Liverpool have been two factors away from Ipswich City and Manchester Metropolis on the finish of 1976, with the entire 5 groups instantly under them – Aston Villa, Newcastle and Arsenal have been additionally within the combine – poised to maneuver forward in the event that they gained their video games in hand.
Liverpool ended the season by drawing in opposition to QPR, Coventry and West Ham and dropping at Bristol Metropolis, however Manchester Metropolis and Ipswich’s unsure kind meant the result of that ultimate defeat was irrelevant earlier than kick-off.
Second-placed Metropolis completed a degree behind Liverpool, who beat Borussia Monchengladbach to grow to be European champions and misplaced the FA Cup ultimate to Manchester United.
Additionally on this present day on the twenty fifth Could 1977 – #LFC gained the European Cup in Rome for the primary time of their historical past. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/afoowr4Cp4
— Carl Clemente (@clemente_carl) Could 25, 2019
1975/76: Champions by a degree
Searching for his first trophies in his second season in cost, Paisley ended 1975 together with his crew degree on factors with Manchester United, though Leeds have been a degree behind with a sport in hand on each.
After three victories of their first 9 league video games of the brand new yr, Liverpool gained eight and drew considered one of their final 9 matches, with late objectives by Kevin Keegan, John Toshack and Ray Kennedy incomes them a 3-1 comeback win at Wolves of their ultimate sport and the title, a degree above QPR.
Keegan scored in each video games as Liverpool gained the UEFA Cup, recovering from 2-0 behind within the first leg of the ultimate in opposition to Membership Brugge, who additionally made it 3-3 on combination within the return match earlier than succumbing 4-3.
Neste dia em 1976, o Liverpool period campeão da Copa UEFA (Europa League) pela segunda vez na história. Após bater o Membership Brugge na ultimate por 4×3 no placar agregado.pic.twitter.com/PTt5pngSS0
— Central Liverpool Brasil (@central_lfc_br) Could 19, 2023
1972/73: Report setters at Anfield
Of their ultimate sport of 1972, Invoice Shankly’s Liverpool beat Palace 1-0 to set an English top-flight document of 21 consecutive residence wins that was solely eclipsed by Klopp’s crew in March 2020.
Liverpool ended the yr three factors above Arsenal with a sport in hand and 5 away from Leeds, who had a sport extra to play than the leaders.
That magnificent Anfield run was swiftly forgotten once they drew with Derby County and misplaced to Arsenal of their first two residence league video games of 1973, however they gained the league with affordable consolation, ending three factors above the Gunners. A younger Keegan scored 12 of their objectives after December, together with two of their UEFA Cup ultimate win over Gladbach.
23 Could 1973
Regardless of dropping 2-0 to Borussia Monchengladbach within the second leg, Liverpool FC gained 3-2 on combination and gained the two-legged UEFA Cup ultimate!#LFChistory_net pic.twitter.com/ZLRRTtneA2— LFChistory.internet (@LFChistory) Could 23, 2021
1968/69: Leapfrogged by Leeds
Don Revie’s Leeds ended 1968 two factors behind leaders Liverpool, however the Whites wouldn’t add to the 2 defeats they’d suffered at that time, whereas the Reds misplaced two and drew seven of their 17 league video games from Boxing Day.
A four-game winless run on the finish of the season meant Shankly’s gamers completed an equidistant 4 factors from Leeds and third-placed Everton.
Though Liverpool had the perfect defensive document within the division, their return of a solitary objective throughout these ultimate 4 matches contributed to their standing as solely the seventh-highest scorers within the division, averaging little greater than a objective a sport from January.
On This Night time 55 years in the past in 1969, Leeds United FC drew 0-0 with Liverpool FC to seal their first league title. “I’ll always remember it” Don Revie mentioned, as Anfield’s Kop rose with Leeds followers to applaud his gamers pic.twitter.com/Hbi35skq26
— Kevin Stubberfield (@stubberfieldkev) April 28, 2024
1965/66: Hunt hits 29
After dropping 1-0 at residence to Leeds on December 27 and beating them 1-0 away a day later, Liverpool ended 1965 two factors above Burnley, who had a sport in hand, and 5 forward of Manchester United, who had two extra matches than them to play.
That defeat was their just one in 18 league video games between the top of October and mid-February, and a run of seven wins and one draw at first of 1966 helped them end six factors above Leeds and the Clarets, though they dropped factors in six of their final 11 video games.
No participant bettered the 29 top-flight objectives scored that season by Roger Hunt, who would be part of membership team-mates Gerry Byrne and Ian Callaghan in England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad. Hunt stays Liverpool’s second-highest all-time scorer.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Sir Roger Hunt with a brace fires the Reds to clinch the League Title at Anfield in 1966, some boss scenes right here of the Kop & Shanks. #LFC pic.twitter.com/F6FxdCFfYC— Davolaa (@Davolaar) September 30, 2024
1949/50: A seven-place hunch
Liverpool’s two wins in seven video games in December 1949 have been extremely welcome ones, beating Everton at residence on Christmas Eve and guests Arsenal seven days later.
That put them two factors above Manchester United and 4 forward of Blackpool, who had a sport in hand. 9 defeats and 5 wins of their remaining 17 video games, nonetheless, left George Kay’s crew in a ultimate place of eighth, 5 factors behind champions Portsmouth.
Membership legend Billy Liddell top-scored for the membership, serving to them go all the way in which within the FA Cup earlier than dropping the ultimate 2-0 to Arsenal. Present Liverpool ahead Mohamed Salah overtook Liddell as Liverpool’s fourth-highest all-time scorer together with his second objective in opposition to Tottenham on December 28 2024.
