Pep Guardiola’s call that Liverpool are already champions may be premature (and just a little sarcastic) but Jurgen Klopp’s men are just a matter of games away from snatching another crown from Manchester City.
Beating Newcastle 3-1 at Anfield on Saturday meant Liverpool became only the fourth team to win 14 Premier League matches in a row, equalling Arsenal’s record from 2002.
City hold the all-time record, Guardiola’s men going on a mind-blowing 18-game winning run in 2017.
So can Liverpool claim victory in their next five fixtures to break the record and eclipse City’s feat? The Sportsman takes a look…
Chelsea (A) - September 22
When it comes to experience, Klopp’s side win the day, though Frank Lampard’s youthful outfit have matured in recent weeks.
Tammy Abraham, still only 21, has seven goals in five matches following his hat-trick against Wolves this weekend and his rapid pace could catch out Liverpool’s backline.
The Reds defence, marshalled by Virgil van Dijk, was a brick wall last season though this time, some gaps have appeared and they can be got at.
We’re going for a Liverpool win here though, plumping for the expertise and older heads to get the better of the Blues’ talented but inexperienced side.
Prediction: Liverpool win
SHEFF UNITED (A) - September 28
The last time these two sides faced off at Bramall Lane back in 2006 - Robbie Fowler had to keep his cool to rescue a point for Liverpool from the spot.
However, 13 years on, the Merseysiders are a different animal, hungry for the Premier League title.
Sheffield United’s expansive style, playing with centre-backs who maraud high up the pitch could play right into the hands of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, but we’re not sure Blades boss Chris Wilder will move away from a philosophy which has garnered so much success.
It’s another Reds victory in this one - with Sheffield United still acclimatising to life back in the top-flight, Klopp’s side possess too much quality for the South Yorkshire side to handle.
Prediction: Liverpool win
Leicester (H) - October 5
Brendan Rodgers, the last manager before Klopp to take Liverpool close to top spot, returns to Anfield with a useful Foxes side well capable of causing an upset.
With Jamie Vardy always a threat, they will have to provide him with more service than they managed against Manchester United last Saturday, but if they can find him with balls in behind the defence, he could have the beating of Liverpool’s high line.
At the other end, Kasper Schmeichel is always a tough customer to get past but we’re expecting goals in this one.
Leicester are certainly one of the teams feared by the top six but we think Liverpool, with home advantage and the Anfield crowd cheering them on, will notch up a 17th straight victory.
Prediction: Liverpool win
Man United (A) - October 20
United, as has been so often the case over the last 18 months, are stuck between a rock and a hard place, as City and Liverpool battle it out at the top. Not this time, however.
Of course, they’ll love to beat their fierce rivals Liverpool and won’t care one jot if it means local foes City maintain their winning record.
Harry Maguire has solidified and organised United’s defence but this is still a fixture the Reds will relish going into, confident they can take the three points and seal the bragging rights.
We think they’ll manage it. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still has much to fix at Old Trafford and this fixture comes too early for the Red Devils. Liverpool will match City’s record against United. The scenes!
Prediction: Liverpool win
Tottenham (H) - October 27
Should Liverpool manage to match City’s record, it will be Tottenham at Anfield standing in their way from beating it out right.
Klopp’s men were second best for large spells of last season’s clash but they dug in, Toby Alderweireld scoring a late own goal to hand Liverpool the points.
This season’s fixture will be equally tough, but with Salah and Co so ruthless and so determined, expect them to do the business especially if writing another new chapter in the Premier League history books is at stake.
Does The Sportsman think Liverpool will break the record? No, we don’t. We’re going to stay here on the fence and give Tottenham a share of the spoils.
So, Liverpool will match City’s record (we reckon) but, let’s face it, the only crown they really care about on the red half of Merseyside is that elusive Premier League one.
Prediction: Draw
