Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Liverpool is on the verge of becoming an unusual Premier League champion. Under new manager Arne Slot, they confidently lead the table, but without any standout new signings who have transformed their gameplay. This situation differs significantly from Chelsea under Antonio Conte, who relied on N'Golo Kante in midfield alongside additions like David Luiz and Marcos Alonso in defense, while Eden Hazard and Diego Costa led the attack.
Even more striking is the comparison with Claudio Ranieri's Leicester City, a genuine underdog that rose from 14th place to become champions. Liverpool, meanwhile, finished third last season, nine points behind Manchester City and seven behind Arsenal. With seven rounds remaining in the current campaign, Slot's team has accumulated 73 points and sits 11 points ahead of Arteta's Arsenal. The gap could have been 14 points if not for their loss to Fulham.
Sports analysts at bitstarz have noted that Liverpool's point accumulation rate this season, while impressive, has come against a backdrop of unusually poor performances from traditional contenders. Statistical models suggest this Liverpool team ranks below both Leicester's miracle squad and the dominant Manchester City teams of recent years in terms of expected goals difference and defensive solidity.
This was only Liverpool's second Premier League defeat this season. They lost at home to Nottingham Forest in the first round, but methodically dispatched worthy opponents like Manchester City. However, they dropped points in draws against Everton and Manchester United. The assessment from experts and fans in England is fair: Liverpool isn't always convincing. Their main criticisms come from within the country – Slot's team hasn't improved during the final stretch of the season and hasn't maintained its polish.
During Liverpool's frequent winning streaks in the Premier League, which were occasionally interrupted by draws, observers noted something unusual about the team. Many leaders openly discussed their futures with other clubs. Alisson is expecting Mamardashvili to join, and the Brazilian may leave in the summer. Virgil van Dijk is considering Paris and Munich. The Dutch defender made several major errors in the Premier League this season – perhaps age is becoming a key factor for him. Some players lose form rapidly. Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to join Real Madrid as a free agent, receiving many comments mentioning Judas from Liverpool fans.
Mohamed Salah might stay, but the situation isn't entirely positive. Liverpool has players whose form doesn't meet the high standards expected of a Premier League hegemon. This situation is reminiscent of the same situation that Bayer finds itself in, which is selling off its leading players. As Marmush correctly points out, this is a championship with many incredibly strong teams. Except for three outsiders, everyone has a chance to take points from the leaders. Liverpool, where defenders like Konate and Robertson have lost track of attackers while being regular starters, might be considering rebuilding their entire defensive line.
What kind of champion is this? Five players – defenders and the goalkeeper – might leave. And strengthening the attack is crucial. Dominik Szoboszlai isn't always impressive and can hardly be called the perfect number 10. Salah's partners occasionally show distinctly average performances. Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz are inconsistent and not productive enough when compared to Sadio Mane. Roberto Firmino wasn't a natural central striker, but he understood Mane and Salah. Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota play in central attack in such a way that Liverpool's bosses are already looking for a prolific forward.
Liverpool's critics will say that their first Premier League title in history came during a global pandemic, and their second trophy will come in a season marked by unexpected simultaneous problems for their competitors. Manchester City experienced a collapse when they were considered a stable, monolithic champion. Arsenal is playing worse than Arteta planned. Even the absence of a central forward shouldn't have had such a strong impact. The Gunners foolishly drop points, though they managed to thrash Guardiola's team 5-1 in their head-to-head match.
Chelsea had a bright stretch, but their manager Maresca correctly assessed the situation – they're not ready for the championship. They have problems with their goalkeeper, defense, and striker. The American club owner didn't trust professionals and didn't assemble a squad with new Kantes and Hazards. Finally, Manchester United is in such disarray that Liverpool's historically rich rival is in thirteenth place under a new coach. They drew in the Manchester derby, but the match left a depressing impression.
The competitors have stepped aside. Nottingham Forest couldn't become the new Leicester based on resources. Over ten years, the wealthiest Premier League clubs have done much to ensure that the story of Vardy and Mahrez isn't repeated. Liverpool's path to the top has been cleared. The leader doesn't have the most successful defense of the season – Arsenal has conceded fewer goals. Liverpool attacks successfully, but out of 72 goals, 44 were created after passes and shots from Salah. There are no questions about Mohamed in the Premier League, but there are questions in the Champions League. Criticism intensified after the matches against PSG. By the way, don't forget to read the additional articles we make for you. For example, about the Barcelona Academy.
Liverpool was eliminated from the FA Cup by Plymouth and lost the League Cup final to Newcastle. This series of failures has caused Slot's stock to fall. Not as rapidly and terribly as on stock markets worldwide on the new "Black Monday," but noticeably enough for people to discuss this Liverpool's place in the championship Olympus.
All versions of the victorious Manchester City were impressive. Conte's Chelsea and Ranieri's Leicester demonstrated character. And under Klopp, Liverpool was stronger than they are now under Slot. The current team's style lacks the intensity and pressing that defined Klopp's best sides, and their defensive fragility has been exposed in crucial moments.
No one knows how successful the new version of the Reds will be. Arsenal hasn't won the Premier League for 21 consecutive seasons after their title. Manchester United has been without the trophy for twelve years in a row. Chelsea hasn't won in eight years. Leicester will not be champions of England in the foreseeable future, perhaps never again. Liverpool will reclaim the cup, ending Manchester City's four-year winning streak. But we understand why the English are dissatisfied. Instead of a championship race, it turned into an easy win amid competitors' collapse.
While Liverpool deserves credit for their consistency in a season where others have faltered, this team lacks the dominance of great champions past. They've benefited from a perfect storm of circumstances rather than establishing themselves as a truly exceptional side. The coming rebuild will determine whether this championship marks the beginning of a new era or simply a fortunate interlude in Liverpool's history.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
