Why Liverpool’s title dream can still become a reality

Liverpool’s disappointing 0-0 draw with their Merseyside rivals Everton has led to them forfeiting their 1 point advantage at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool supporters were left disappointed with Jurgen Klopp’s team selection prior to kick off, with many claiming that the midfield trio of Henderson, Fabinho and Wijnaldum lacked creativity and forward drive… and rightly so. Whilst the three of them didn’t necessarily put in bad performances, the front three struggled to click because the service just wasn’t there for them.

But perhaps what frustrated the fans the most was Klopp’s decision making regarding his use of substitutes. Despite being held at a goalless draw, Klopp chose to introduce the likes of Adam Lallana and James Milner when he could have instead opted for creative players such as Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri. Frustrations boiled over after James Milner’s performance was one of the complete shambles, with passes flying into touch all too regularly.

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• 3 Liverpool players who can benefit the most from Darwin Nunez’s signing

However, defensively the Reds are looking sharp still. Today marked their 5th clean sheet in a row, with the opposition not even generating 2 XG (expected goals) worth of chances in those games. Virgil Van Dijk was colossal at the back for the Reds today and if they are to stand a chance in the remaining 9 games of the season his performances will be key.

Reasons not to panic yet..

• There are still 9 games left, that is a quarter of the season. Whilst at the moment it might be advantage City, there will still be plenty of chances for them to slip up.
• City is involved in 3 cups and the league. The amount of games that they have to play compared to Liverpool has the ability to make a difference, whilst they have strength in depth, playing that often will take it out of their bodies.
• Out of the remaining 9 games, Liverpool plays 5 of them at home. The Reds are notoriously difficult to face at Anfield with their last league loss at home in April of 2017.
• The return of Joe Gomez and Oxlade Chamberlain. Gomez and Van Dijk formed a formidable partnership with each other with very little getting passed them. The Ox’s return would give forward driving option that the team is screaming out for at the moment.
• Arguably, City has the harder of the run-ins with difficult away fixtures at Old Trafford and Selhurst Park.

Remaining fixtures

Manchester City                           Liverpool

Watford(H)                                      Burnley(H)
Fulham (A) (30/03)                        Fulham (A) (17/03)
Cardiff City (H)                                Tottenham Hotspur (H)
Crystal Palace (A)                           Southampton (A)
Tottenham Hotspur (H)                Chelsea (H)
Manchester United (A)                 Cardiff City (A)
Burnley (A)                                       Huddersfield (H)
Leicester City (H)                            Newcastle United (A)
Brighton and Hove Albion (A)    Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)

The end of the 2018/19 season is sure to be a nail biter with the possibility of it going down to the final weekend. Football fans from around the globe will eagerly be keeping tabs on these two top teams as they battle it out to see who will become crowned champion come May.