MX23RW : Tuesday, June 4 18:57:44| >> :60:2137:2137:

Souness backs 'slightly pragmatic' Liverpool for Premier League title

An improved defence has improved the Reds' credentials.

Former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness believes manager Jurgen Klopp's pragmatism will end the club's 29-year wait for the title.

The Reds currently lead Manchester City by four points at the top of the Premier League and, despite their 4-3 aberration at home to Crystal Palace last weekend, have the best defensive record in the top flight.

That is a departure from last season, when a thrilling attacking approach also led to them leaking damaging goals.

This time around just 13 goals conceded in 23 matches has lifted Klopp's side into pole position to lift the title for the first time since 1990.

"As well as being a great watch, Liverpool are a pretty pragmatic team as well," Souness, who won five championships as a player for the club, told liverpoolfc.com.

"They are a pretty strong outfit when they're not dominant, they're still capable of winning games. That makes them a dangerous team.

"It makes you league champions when you can win games without being at your best.

"I've got a sneaky feeling Liverpool will win it this year because of the slightly pragmatic way they can play at times.

The signing of Alisson Becker has had a major impact for Liverpool this season
The signing of Alisson Becker has had a major impact for Liverpool this season (Martin Rickett/PA)

"I don't think they've been like that in the past; it was all about winning a game 3-0 instead of just 1-0.

"You wouldn't want to swap their place for anyone else, you'd far prefer to be four points ahead.

"If you can, keep that four-point advantage and it's first to blink really, in the long-term.

"It's not theirs to lose, there's a long way to go and City are a really good team.

"Just keep your nerve and treat the next game as the most important one, don't look too far ahead."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Carl Markham, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'd770a810-e0d0-4396-8319-929abc0ad6ab');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Souness backs \u2018slightly pragmatic\u2019 Liverpool for Premier League title'});

ID:347674: cacheID:347674:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6507:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Luis Garcia pictured on December 17, 2018
Read Next:
Pressure is on City in the title race, insists former Liverpool star Luis Garcia
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!