Hendrick: “City or Arsenal Aren’t Poor, Liverpool Are Great” | OneFootball

Liverpool Edging Towards Glory: A Daily Red Analysis

Liverpool FC are now within touching distance of Premier League triumph, following a scrappy but crucial 1-0 victory over Leicester City. The game may not have been vintage in style, but the result was all that mattered—three points that push the Reds within a single win of the title. Welcome to The Daily Red, your essential midweek digest, featuring sharp insight and context from none other than Dave Hendrick.

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Leicester Frustration Eclipsed by Alexander-Arnold Brilliance

Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and carving out a host of chances, Liverpool laboured in front of goal at the King Power Stadium. The frustration was palpable. Woodwork rattled. Opportunities spurned. But then came a moment of magic.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, with his weaker foot no less, lashed home what could be a title-winning goal. “Credit to the young fella—if that’s his parting gift, then so be it.” Anfield may yet witness more brilliance from the right-back, but if this is the crescendo to his Liverpool symphony, it’s a fitting one.

One Win Away: The Path to the Title

The equation is beautifully simple now. One more Liverpool victory guarantees the title. But depending on Arsenal’s result against Crystal Palace, it could be clinched even sooner. If the Gunners falter, Liverpool might be champions before kicking a ball against Tottenham.

Currently on 79 points from 33 games, a possible 94-point finish is on the table. More realistically, 92 points—four wins and a draw—is firmly within reach. And that number carries immense weight in Premier League history.

Consider this: only one team has ever reached 90+ points and not won the league—Liverpool. And they’ve done it twice. Should they hit 91 or 92 again, it would put them in elite company, regardless of what the table ultimately says.

Discrediting the “Lucky Liverpool” Narrative

Much has been made of claims that Liverpool are benefitting from others’ shortcomings. But a look at recent seasons tells a different story. After 33 matches in 2022-23, Arsenal sat on 74 points. In 2021-22, City had 79. This season, Liverpool have 79—with scope to surpass both.

“This isn’t about City being poor—this is about us being great.” And the numbers back it. Ten wins and two draws in the last 13 league outings paint a picture of resilience and momentum, not luck or fragility.

The comparisons to Leicester City’s 2015-16 title win fall flat. Liverpool already have more wins, more goals, and still five games to play. In fact, only two defeats across the campaign is a statistic most champions would envy.

What Lies Ahead: Squad Decisions and Summer Shifts

Off the pitch, the summer promises change. Darwin Núñez has hit 59 starts, and reports suggest Liverpool would owe Benfica €5 million upon his 60th in Premier or Champions League action. Though The Echo refutes any deliberate omission, the speculation refuses to fade. “He’s barely playing now, had a strop, wasn’t even on the bench vs. West Ham. It looks like he’s out the door this summer.”

David Lynch reports a move for Dean Huijsen, possibly signalling a major reshuffle in central defence—especially if Ibrahima Konaté is sold.

Any such overhaul must be balanced across multiple positions: right-back, left-back, holding midfield, striker, and potentially a left winger if Luis Diaz departs. Sales of Núñez, Diaz, Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton, and Stefan Bajcetic could fund the rebuild. But with uncertainty surrounding Joe Gomez as well, reinforcements will be essential.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool are being driven by players who know what it takes to win—Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Mohamed Salah all bring a champion’s mentality. Arsenal, though talented, lack that same pedigree. And history suggests that when pressure rises, they falter.

If this side reaches 92 points with only two defeats, they’ll have carved out one of the finest Premier League seasons ever seen—regardless of the final standings. As Dave Hendrick underscores throughout this edition of The Daily Red, this Liverpool side deserves to be remembered among the greats.