Liverpool's underrated title run: More impressive than it looks

 As Liverpool stands poised to lift the Premier League trophy, likely before the month concludes, their dominant season warrants greater recognition than it has received. While some observers have characterized the title race as lacking excitement due to Liverpool setting an early pace that Manchester City couldn't match and Arsenal consistently dropping points after the New Year, reducing the narrative to simply rivals' shortcomings overlooks the Reds' own exceptional performance.

Consider the situation like Rory McIlroy winning The Masters: even if the World No 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler falter under pressure on the final day, the victor's triumph is ultimately a direct result of his sustained brilliance and execution. Liverpool's impending title is precisely this kind of achievement, stemming from their consistently being the league's premier side from the outset, accumulating more points than their competitors through a blend of technical skill and intelligent strategic execution.

The team's early season form was particularly formidable, losing only one league match by the turn of the year (to Nottingham Forest). Even a perceived late-season dip is arguably overstated, with five wins in their last six games representing a strong finish to wrap up the title.

European competitions show the league's strength

Furthermore, the notion of a weak Premier League simply doesn't hold water. Recent results in European competitions provide clear evidence of the league's immense strength in depth. Arsenal's emphatic and smashing victories over Champions League holders Real Madrid, Aston Villa's spirited challenge against Paris Saint-Germain in the Europa League, and both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United reaching the Europa League semi-finals despite their horrible domestic performances, alongside Chelsea's comfortable progress in the Europa Conference League, all highlight the difficulty foreign opposition faces when confronting English sides. The sheer competitiveness throughout the Premier League makes it a uniquely challenging environment to succeed in.

While the absence of a nail-biting title race or relegation battle might disappoint some neutral fans seeking heightened drama, it is unfair to diminish Liverpool's achievement. The team exhibited undeniable dominance until February, with Mohamed Salah achieving remarkable scoring and assisting rates during that period. Their form has only slightly regressed since, yet it has still been more than sufficient to comfortably outpace the competition.

Adding another layer, this season was widely anticipated as a period of transition under new tactical guidance, where winning silverware might become harder. However, the campaign has been far from straightforward. Challenging encounters, such as the hard-fought draws against strong Arsenal and Newcastle United sides, demonstrated the quality present throughout the league.

Increased competitiveness

We've also seen significant improvement among mid-table clubs like Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Fulham, and Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as the sustained threat posed by Aston Villa. This increased competitiveness from a wider pool of teams, evidenced by the diverse lineup in the latter stages of the FA Cup (Nottingham Forest facing Manchester City and Aston Villa lining up against Crystal Palace), suggests a "democratisation of threat" within the league.

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Liverpool has, for the most part, effectively navigated this broader challenge in their league campaign, putting them on the brink of securing a record-equalling 20th top-flight title. One might ponder whether any of their previous title achievements were more deserved and what final points tally will ultimately convince skeptics of this Liverpool team's quality. Looking back at Manchester United's large-margin title wins in the early 2000s, it's a reminder that as time passes, often only the fact of winning the league is remembered.

For the team and its manager, the immediate focus is simply securing the single point needed to guarantee the title. While they could potentially reach 94 points – slightly less than the 99 achieved in their last title-winning season – it remains a truly remarkable achievement in the context of this competitive season. Regardless of the final points total, this is a team that has successfully adapted to tactical demands in what was expected to be a season of adjustment, mastering the requirements without faltering.