Why Liverpool can end 26 years of hurt this season. 

The online soccer odds of Liverpool winning the league appear to be slashed as the Reds sit pretty on top of the Premier League table.

Kenny Dalglish and in Rush reigned supreme in Merseyside in the 80s. Liverpool dominated the league and Europe during this period, and a lull in success in the 90s is responsible for what is one of the longest league droughts for a top team in the whole of Europe.

The Heysel and Hillsborough disasters of 1985 and 1989 respectively altered the course of this club, and they will never attain the heights of these glorious moments before these tragedies. In 2001, Liverpool won the cup treble. The league cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup were won that season, courtesy mostly of Michael Owen’s goals, but still yet the holy Grail has eluded them.

For 26 years, Liverpool has had to cast envious glances as Manchester United equaled and then overtook their record of the most championships ever won on English soil. Yet, the club has only themselves to blame for their massive under achievement. In 2009, with probably the best squad since the 80s, the mind games of Sir Alex Ferguson proved too much for Rafa Benitez. They lost only twice that season, but also drew on eleven occasions; hardly form for winning a league title. In 2014, the Steven Gerrard slip against Chelsea and that famous match at Crystal Palace, in which the Reds inexplicably threw away a 3 goal lead. They lost that title to Manchester City, despite front runners for most of the campaign.
Read also: Everton Manager says Liverpool deserves Premier League title
At this moment, Liverpool sit top of the Premier League. The fans are wise not to raise their expectations following the near-misses in the past. Under Jurgen Klopp and his gegenpressing philosophy, the Reds have swept over almost all their opponents in swashbuckling fashion. Yet, as in 2014, their defence still needs fine-tuning, but in Klopp, they have a man who is capable of miracles. The charismatic German won consecutive league titles in the German top flight against a more fancied Bayern Munich team. He has the team playing to his detailed instructions, and his affinity with the fans has made the Kop End, the most famous set of passionate supporters continuously sing his name on match days.

Perhaps if Klopp delivers the title this season, he will be elevated to the level of Shankly and Paisley in the hearts of the fans,old enough to remember these legends of the club. In recent years, anytime Liverpool are close to major success, they always bottle it. Not because, they aren’t good enough, but the familiar feelings of fear ultimately causes them to crumble. If Klopp can overcome this mental block, they can win their 19th league title, after nearly three decades. Dalglish won the last league title seen on Merseyside, after he abruptly resigned in 1991 following a personal meltdown about the April 15, 1989 Hillsborough tragedy.

Anfield is described as one of the most intimidating stadia to visit in the world. Sights of fans passionately singing the famous, “You’ll never walk alone” anthem and lifting their scarves has led to opposition teams even giving up the match before the first ball has been played. Lack of European commitment will also help Liverpool, so they will be able to focus all their energies on winning the league. Winning the league would be tough with the presence of top managers in the league, but that is what Klopp thrives on: The feeling of being the underdog.

26 years is a lot of time to create history. Come May, there might be even more singing in the Kop End. Don’t bet against tears, even from the ever-smiling Klopp.

 

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