Dave Hendrick’s Take on Liverpool’s Title Chances and Rivals | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Dominance: A Riveting Analysis of Premier League and Title Contenders

Liverpool are in an enviable position in the Premier League this season, leading the pack and showing no signs of slowing down. On the latest episode of the Daily Red Podcast, Dave Hendrick delivered a captivating commentary on Liverpool’s dominance, Manchester City’s struggles, and Arsenal’s uphill battle to stay competitive. His insights provide a fascinating look at the landscape of the 2024/25 season.

Liverpool’s Momentum

As Hendrick emphasised, Liverpool currently sit “top of absolutely everything.” With a commanding lead in the Premier League, progressing well in the Champions League, and still alive in domestic cup competitions, it is indeed a “good time to be a red.”

Looking at the Champions League clash against Real Madrid, Hendrick remarked, “Liverpool versus Real Madrid is obviously huge because it’s European royalty versus European royalty,” but reminded listeners to keep perspective: “Win, lose, or draw, there’s no need to get too out of pocket tonight.” The Premier League remains the ultimate focus, with Hendrick noting, “We’re in an incredible position right now, eight points clear of Manchester City.”

Manchester City’s Decline

Manchester City’s recent struggles have been glaring, with Hendrick describing their current state as “going through it right now.” Highlighting City’s dramatic 3-3 draw after leading 3-0, Hendrick observed Pep Guardiola’s visible frustration: “In his post-match interview, Pep Guardiola has scratches on his head and a puzzled look.”

Liverpool’s upcoming clash with City at Anfield presents a golden opportunity: “We can go 11 points clear of them. This is a chance to put them back in their little box.” City’s challenge to hit the 90-point mark looks increasingly daunting. As Hendrick explained, they would need a near-historic run of 21 wins, four draws, and just one loss—a tall order given their current form.

Arsenal’s Uphill Battle

Arsenal’s resurgence has sparked interest, but Hendrick was quick to analyse the stark realities facing Mikel Arteta’s side. Breaking down the numbers, he noted, “Arsenal need 2.62 points per game from here on out to hit 90 points. That’s a 100-point season pace—the best in Premier League history.”

Arsenal’s struggles to sustain such form were laid bare: “They’ve never managed 90 points in a season under Arteta, and to expect them to do so now seems far-fetched.” Hendrick argued that both Arsenal and City would need “historic levels” of performance to keep pace with Liverpool, making their task near-impossible without “catastrophic failure” from the Reds.

The Formula to Beat City

Hendrick also shared a proven formula to outpace Manchester City for the title: “The only way to beat City is to blow them away early in the season and build up such a lead that when they find form from February on, you’re just too far ahead.” Liverpool are executing this strategy to perfection, with their early dominance creating a buffer that seems insurmountable.

Conclusion

Liverpool’s commanding start to the season, coupled with Manchester City’s uncharacteristic struggles and Arsenal’s statistical improbabilities, paints a picture of a season heavily tilted in Liverpool’s favour. As Hendrick succinctly put it, “We can dip a level and still get there quite comfortably.” With the Reds’ form and fixtures aligning, this could indeed be a season to remember.

By focusing on consistency and capitalising on their rivals’ weaknesses, Liverpool are firmly on course to reclaim the Premier League title under Arne Slot. With Hendrick’s astute analysis ringing true, Liverpool fans have every reason to dream big.