The international break may have stolen the spotlight for the time being but that doesn’t mean that we suddenly have to quash talk of the Premier League title race.
Liverpool’s current crop of stars have amassed a points total that outstretches any of the club’s previous efforts at this stage during the Premier League era.
76 points from 31 games puts Mo Salah and co streets ahead of the 2013/14 Liverpool side that registered 68 points at this particular point, while the 2008/09 Reds outfit is next best in the club’s pecking order, a further point behind on 75.
Liverpool’s current haul is so impressive that they remarkably already have one point than the complete total they carded at the end of last season (75), and there’s still seven games left to play.
In fact, Jurgen Klopp’s men have bettered the complete points totals of 20 of their previous 26 seasons in the Premier League, while they ended a further two with the same amount.
Below we take a look at three of Liverpool’s best ever Premier League points totals, and whether Klopp’s current crop can set a new club record come the conclusion of the campaign…
3. 2005/06 Season = 82 points (Rafa Benitez)
Liverpool may not have won the Premier League under legendary boss Rafa Benitez but fans look back fondly on an era in which they stood alone at the summit of European following THAT Champions League comeback in 2005, while they also lifted the FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and the Community Shield.
But back to the league. When Liverpool finished 3rd under the Spaniard in 2005/06 they may have lost out to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, who amassed a whopping 91 points, but they did set a new club record – at the time – in terms of Premier League points (82), although Benitez would go on to top that tally…
2. 2013/14 Season = 84 points (Brendan Rodgers)
Feel free to skip this section Liverpool fans.
This was the season. Oh, what could have been.
Everyone knows the story by now, Liverpool had the chance to go six points clear with two games remaining – City had an extra game to play still – but then Jose Mourinho rocked into town and punctured their title hopes.
The Reds then raced into a 3-0 lead at Crystal Palace in their following fixture, only to completely crumble and head home with just one single point, instead of three and improved goal difference.
Brendan Rodgers’ men beat Newcastle on the final day, but the damage had already been done as City won the title by a two point margin. Heartbreaking.
1. 2008/09 Season = 86 points (Rafa Benitez)
It was in Benitez’s penultimate season, 2008/09, that Liverpool came closest to top-flight glory under his tutorship, as they came agonisingly close to pipping arch rivals Man Utd, only to miss out by just four points.
It turns out their 86 point tally would have been enough to lift the coveted trophy in a total of eight of the 26 Premier League seasons, although we’re not sure that’ any comfort.