Back
Aron Wright - February 21, 2019
At the beginning of the season, few would have predicted Liverpool would have the upper hand in the Premier League title race come February. But that’s the situation heading into the final 12 games. As of February 14, Manchester City are top of the table on goal difference, but Liverpool have a game in hand, meaning destiny is still in their own control.
But can the Reds really win the title? Could Tottenham Hotspur make a late charge up the rails? Or is it just a matter of time before the reigning champions assert their authority? We take a look and the three title contenders and assess their chances ahead of the next round of fixtures.
After a period playing catch-up, which included a home win over Liverpool, Manchester City climbed back to the top of the Premier League table with a 0-2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park just over a week ago. Meanwhile, many analysts selected Liverpool to score 2+ goals against Bournemouth as one of their football tips of the day, with the Reds certainly delivering on this with a resounding 3-0 victory. City showed they can deal with the pressure by subsequently sticking six without reply past Chelsea the next day.
The Sky Blues may have played a game extra, but they could benefit from being the ones breathing down Liverpool’s necks. Just one slip up from the Reds and City can take the initiative – and they already know what it takes to get over the line in a Premier League title race.
Liverpool may have destiny in their own hands, but history is not on their side. They haven’t won a league title in 29 years and have only finished second three times since then. The last time they came close in 2013/14, it was Manchester City who pipped them to the crown.
However, this time they have Jurgen Klopp at the helm. The German won two Bundesliga titles whilst in charge of Borussia Dortmund and understands the pressures of winning a title race against tough opposition. Klopp has already made a bid to ease the pressure on his players, stating: “It’s not about pressure, it’s about enjoying the situation you are in.”
The Reds’ cause could be boosted in the final weeks with the return from injury of Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Spurs have been kept out of the conversation for much of the season, but they remain in contention at just five points back. However, it’s now been 58 years since they last won the title, and it seems unlikely that both Liverpool and City will both stumble enough to allow the Londoners to leapfrog them in the final dozen games.
Spurs will have to be content with third place this season, while Liverpool and Manchester City battle it out for the title. City still have a hand in four competitions, and that could go against them in the run-in. Meanwhile, Liverpool have lost just once all season and have a lighter schedule thanks to their lack of involvement in the domestic cups. They survived a recent wobble and still came out on top. With their fate in their own hands, you have to fancy Klopp’s men to finally end their league title drought.
