Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday by recording a 2-1 victory at doomed Fulham. The victory was the sort that teams achieve on their way to lifting trophies.
Jurgen Klopp’s team were not at their best in south west London and needed a 75th-minute penalty from James Milner to win the clash. In truth, it was a nervy victory, with so much potentially on the line in the race for the Premier League title.
The Reds no doubt have the ability to produce spectacular attacking football. However, where they have gone wrong in previous title races is that they have struggled to grind out wins. They have wilted under pressure, especially against unexpected opponents.
Sunday’s game is the sort that Liverpool may have failed to win in the past. Fulham made life difficult for the Merseysider’s, despite looking set for relegation to the Championship this season.
The Reds have been going through a period of unconvincing form compared to their early season formidable displays. Grinding out victories is an important part of a team’s armoury when they want to win the big trophies. Liverpool may finally have that ability.
The ability to win ugly will be needed for the rest of the season, as the team from Merseyside look to end their long wait for a top-flight title. The title race is likely to have many more twists and turns.
However, with Manchester City seemingly in determined form, the Reds cannot afford any more slip-ups. The Merseysider’s are now a point ahead of the Citizens in the title race, although City has a game in hand.
Maybe crucially, City’s game in hand is at arch-rivals Manchester United in a couple of weeks’ time. Liverpool can only affect their own results and have to keep grinding out wins if there are to have any hope of winning the title.