Liverpool’s Season of Missed Chances: Top For Longest, But Third Best
The just concluded Premier League season was full of surprises. Liverpool ended up third, but spent top for longest. Arsenal are usually the perennial “bottle job” team, who consistently top the league, but bottle it in the end. This season, the tables were supposed to be turned. While Arsenal ended second, Liverpool topped the table for more days than any other team, including league winners, Manchester City. Sports Buddy analyzes if this was Liverpool’s season of missed chance? And how does it rank in the history of Arsenal?
Days Spent Top by Liverpool
In the 2023-2024 Premier League season, Liverpool spent 87 days top of the league table than any other team. This is a remarkable statistic, especially considering that they ended up third. Liverpool (87) days were above both Manchester City (78) and Arsenal (76). In relative terms, Liverpool’s final position was a big disappointment.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were prolific early on, and it looked like they would mount a strong challenge for the title. The number of days spent top meant that this was a team that could contend with the best. As the season wore on though, Liverpool’s rich vein of form was not maintained. This allowed Manchester City to catch up and win the league for the second year running.
Arsenal’s Premier League Past
Arsenal have often been accused of not being able to hold their early season charge. They spent less days top than Liverpool this season. The Gunners topped the Premier league table for 76 days. This was in stark contrast to last season, when they spent a large chunk of the season top, before ultimately bottling it. This time around, they ensured second place, which shows the inconsistency that has marred Arsenal’s seasons in recent times.
The reference to Liverpool is apt. Arsenal have been the archetypal “bottle job” team in the last 20 years. This season though, there is evidence that this trend has changed. They were consistent, if not dominant throughout the season, even if they couldn’t displace Manchester City.
A “Bottle Job”
It’s debateable whether Liverpool’s season can be referred to as a “bottle job”. The phrase suggests a lack of delivery, and a profound mismatch between expectation and performance. This is a tag that has often been thrown at Arsenal in the past. For Liverpool, third, after topping the table for longest, is it a case of underachievement, or simply a reflection of a well balanced league?
There are likely many reasons why Liverpool could not sustain their title challenge. Injuries, loss of form, and perhaps lack of cover in certain key positions may have affected the German’s chances. Secondly, you cannot rule out the tenacious nature and unwavering will of Manchester City. They hunted Liverpool down with ruthless efficiency, and won the games that mattered most, when the heat was on. Jurgen Klopp’s team showed quality and character, but lacked the consistency to sustain their form for the entire season.
The Clubs
Both Liverpool and Arsenal will take plenty of positives from the just concluded season. The most obvious for Liverpool is the fact that they topped the table for 87 days, which shows that they have the potential and the quality. But they need to find a way to transform potential into ultimate success. For Arsenal, the fact that they finished second, but spent less time top indicates some level of consistency, if not dominance early on, and a steady decline.
When we seek to answer the question as to whether Liverpool “bottled” the season, we should look at the bigger picture. The Premier League is a tough league, and maintaining form for the entire 38 matches is no mean feat especially when competing against a Pep led City. Liverpool’s season does not pass the “bottle job” test, but not as ruthlessly as some hardened pundits may want it too. Their title challenge was ended by a formidable and strong competitor, in a season where the title was decided on the last day.
Summary
The just concluded Premier League season was a reminder that football is an unpredictable sport. Liverpool spent top for longest, but ended third, and will need to address their lack of sustainability for their title challenge to flare. On the other hand, Arsenal’s steady and methodical performance saw them finish second, and may have erased some of the “bottle job” tags that have been unfairly laid on them in recent years.
As it stands, it’s debatable whether Jurgen Klopp’s season can be classified as a “bottle job”. Liverpool’s top plus finish may be disappointing, but it is also a reflection of the nature and quality needed to win the Premier League. Liverpool and Arsenal will need to build on their performances, and look to beat Manchester City to the title next season.
