LIVERPOOL appeared to have the world at their feet just eight short months ago.
In July 2020, the Reds were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in their history as they absolutely stormed to the title.
Only Leicester (2016-17) and Chelsea (2015-16) have endured worst starts to a PL title defence after 25 games than this season’s Liverpool
Liverpool’s current squad are the third-worst reigning champions – but injuries have decimated their seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
After finally breaking their 30-year top-flight drought, Jurgen Klopp and Co had hoped to press on and defend their crown.
Fast forward to December 19, 2020 and Liverpool thumped Crystal Palace – so often their bogey team – 7-0 at Selhurst Park to go four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Skip forward two short months and some fans – and pundits – are calling the Reds the ‘worst defending champions ever’ on the back of a 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Everton at Anfield.
But are they right? In short: No. Liverpool are NOT the worst defending champions ever.
In fact, they’re not even second worst in Premier League history.
Leicester’s 2016-17 squad fared far worse after they stunned the globe to clinch the 5000/1 shot title.
That year, the ‘Fearless Foxes’ won just FIVE of their first 25 league games – losing 14 – before ultimately finishing the season in 12th.
And Chelsea’s 2015-16 squad also fared worse in the season which saw Jose Mourinho sacked for a second time.
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Leicester’s 2016-17 squad are officially the worst defending champions everCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Chelsea’s 2015-16 season is the second-worst among defending champions and saw the sacking of Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
That year, the Blues won just seven of their first 25 games, losing nine on their way to a tenth-placed finish that season.
Liverpool in 2020-21 come in third with 11 wins and seven defeats.
While they’re not the worst defending champs, there are still causes for concern.
For example, this Liverpool squad is performing BELOW that of David Moyes’ Manchester United squad in 2013-14.
The ‘Chosen One’ took over from Sir Alex Ferguson and was ultimately sacked during his debut season.
Even then, United won 12 of their opening 25 games – one more than this season’s Liverpool.
The current Liverpool squad are faring worse after 25 games that David Moyes was during his doomed Man Utd seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
However, there ought to be an almighty asterisk on this Liverpool season.
After all, they’ve suffered injury after injury after injury.
Klopp lost star defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez for the season early on in their defence, before Joel Matip had his season ended soon after.
Backup defenders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have also struggled with knocks this season.
And that’s just in defence… the likes of Diogo Jota, Naby Keita and James Milner are all still injured, too.
This season, Liverpool have fielded 18 different centre-back partnerships due to their ever-growing injury list.
That lack of consistency would derail even the best of teams.
Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool made mistakes after disappointing loss to Everton
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
