Liverpool's 2018/19 Season: A Premier League Masterclass or Merely a Glorified Second Best?
Is Liverpool's 2018/19 season among the top Premier League teams of all time? Many argue that despite their overall dominance, the Liverpool team that season was not the best ever, but rather in the top 5. This comparison is made by the stark contrast in competitive pressure felt by this team compared to those that preceded or followed it. While teams like the Manchester United and Arsenal teams of 1998/99 and 2007/08, respectively, faced relentless challenges from their competitors, the 2018/19 Manchester City team and the 2019/20 Liverpool team were not consistently challenged due to their opponents' misfortunes or new player integration issues.
Comparing the Pressure
Teams such as Chelsea 04/05, United 98/99, and Arsenal 03/04 were all pushed to their absolute limits. In the 2018/19 season, Manchester City's performance was aided by their ability to withstand challenges from Liverpool, ultimately securing the title. The same could be said for Liverpool's 2019/20 season, where the two teams figuratively wrestled for the championship, leaving City victorious. However, the 1999 United and 2008 United teams, despite having overall better competition, also secured the title despite challenges from other teams.
The Unparalleled 18/19 Season
The 18/19 Premier League was recognized as one of the best in recent history. Liverpool was just two points away from winning the title, and Manchester City pushed them relentlessly. Other notable teams of this era included:
1998/99 Manchester United
Both Arsenal and Chelsea finished just three points behind United, and United also won the Champions League and the FA Cup. Each team missed out on drawing games, losing only 3-4 matches in the entire season.
2003/04 Arsenal
Arsenal played an unbeaten season, and were the closest to United. However, Arsenal drew 12 games, while Chelsea and United failed to draw, resulting in a margin of only 11 points.
2004/05 Chelsea
Chelsea won all 38 games and conceded only 15 goals. This is a remarkable achievement in the Premier League. They finished 12 points ahead of the next team, but were outmatched by United.
2007/08 Manchester United
This team also played an intense battle for the title. They won the treble and won by just 2 points, but they lost more games than Chelsea did, and drew more.
Draws and Leagues
The value of a draw in the league cannot be understated. Liverpool had to rely on consistent points, despite often winning games. Meanwhile, Manchester City's string of 14 wins trumped Liverpool's 7 draws, even though Liverpool only lost once, compared to City's 4 losses.
Evaluating the Current Liverpool
Is this Liverpool team the best to have come around in recent years? Yes, they have only lost three times in the past two seasons, which is utterly astounding. But are they the best of the best? This season’s Liverpool lacked the competitive pressure from the top six teams, whereas the 2018/19 Liverpool were pushed hard by City, only to falter under immense pressure. Whether they are the 2nd or 3rd best in the last decade, remains to be seen, as other teams like United and Arsenal provided a significant challenge. In a pool of 5 teams, Liverpool would definitely be among them. However, the question remains: did this lack of competition define the greatness of the team?
Conclusion
In summary, the 2018/19 Liverpool season indeed represented a standout year in the Premier League with their consistent performance and minimal losses. However, their ranking among the all-time greats might hinge not just on their results but on the competitiveness of their opponents. This year's Liverpool, without significant competition, remains a hot topic in discussions about the greatest Premier League teams ever.