LIVERPOOL have enjoyed a phenomenal season for the ages, finally winning their title back after 30 barren years.
Jurgen Klopp’s relentless side have swatted away all competition with aplomb – with neutrals’ hopes of a title-race having fizzled out months ago.
Jurgen Klopp saw his champions draw 1-1 with Burnley on SaturdayCredit: PA:Press Association
But while the German and his fans will likely not care too much, Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield saw a number of potential records tumble out of reach, as per BBC Sport.
The Reds could still shatter records for most points, home wins, victories and largest title-winning margin.
But which have fallen by the wayside? Let’s take a look.
1. MOST GOALS
Gabriel Jesus netted the 106th and final goal of Manchester City’s extraordinary 2017-18 campaignCredit: Rex Features
While this one is technically still possible, I wouldn’t count on it… irrespective of how devastating Liverpool’s front three is.
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have frightened the life out of opposition defences all season – but the Reds would need to score 30 times in three games to match Manchester City’s eyewatering tally of 106 from two years ago.
Upcoming opponents Chelsea have had a dodgy defence this year, but they’re not that generous…
2. AWAY DAY TRIUMPHS
City produced some memorable performances on the road in 2017-18Credit: PA:Press Association
So we’ve established earlier that Anfield is a fortress for the Reds, but this year it turns out that virtually, well, everywhere has been a fortress for the Reds.
But even with wins at Arsenal and Newcastle in the coming weeks, Liverpool’s tally of away triumphs this term would reach 15 – one shy of City’s tally in 2018.
Ironically Pep Guardiola’s side only lost once on the road that season on the way to securing 50 points away from home… at Anfield.
3. STERNEST DEFENCE
Chelsea conceded just 15 goals in the 2004-05 seasonCredit: AFP
So Liverpool’s defence has been pretty good this season, right?
Correct. But Chelsea’s 2005 vintage were freakish in their ability to keep the ball out of the net.
The Reds, marshalled by Virgil van Dijk, have conceded only 27 goals this season – six fewer than anyone else in the Premier League.
But the Blues, with John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho at the back, conceded just 15 in an entire campaign, keeping 25 clean sheets in the process.
4. INVINCIBLES
Arsenal’s 2004 side remain the only team to have gone a full Premier League campaign undefeatedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
February’s surprising 3-0 loss at Watford put paid to this one.
For a while it had looked pretty likely, in fact, with the Reds having won 26 of 27 games to that point before travelling to Vicarage Road.
But Arsenal’s “Invincibles” class of 2004 remain the only side to have gone an entire season undefeated in Premier League history.
5. GOAL DIFFERENCE
City finished the 2017-18 campaign with an almost absurd +72 goal differenceCredit: Getty – Contributor
Like with the “most goals” record, we can’t say this one 100 per cent for sure.
But it’d have to be somewhere around 99.9…
Again this record belongs to Manchester City’s 2017-18 campaign, in which they finished with a frankly ridiculous +72 goal difference.
Liverpool’s is good, but at +49, there is no way that they can make up 23 goals in just three games.
6. ENGLISH FOOTBALL’S HIGHEST POINTS TALLY
Reading’s 106-point haul definitely warranted an open-top bus parade in 2006Credit: Jasonpix
Okay, so this one feels a little unfair.
Yes – Liverpool aren’t going to match or better Reading’s stunning 106-point haul from 2006…
But the Royals, being in the Championship, had eight more games in which to achieve the amazing feat.
Steve Coppell’s all-conquering side finished with 31 wins, 13 draws and just 2 defeats in a season that looks likely to never be repeated in the second tier.
But with Liverpool currently sat on 93 points from 35 games – you’d back them to collect at least 14 more if given another 11 games.
7. TOP-FLIGHT EUROPEAN FOOTBALL’S HIGHEST POINTS TALLY
Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys also tasted a 106-point season, in 2016-17Credit: Rex Features
This one, I’m afraid, belongs to Brendan Rodgers.
The Northern Irishman, formerly of Anfield, led Celtic to an unprecedented season of success in his first at the Parkhead-helm back in 2016-17.
The Bhoys completed a scarcely believable “Invincibles” season of their own, winning 34 games and drawing a further four on their way to a 106-point haul over 38 matches.
Rodgers, 47, may have angered Hoops fans no end by the way he walked out last season to take on the Leicester City job.
But his achievements at Celtic Park are likely to live on forever.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hails Pep Guardiola as the ‘best manager of our era’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
