The stats and odds behind Liverpool's journey to the top of the Premier League in 2019-20.
With the Premier League in store for yet another tantalising title race, Oddschecker have crunched the numbers and taken a look at how the odds have fluctuated so far this season.
Analysing the gameweeks in which the top two have dropped points, you can see Liverpool’s journey from Premier League outsiders (5/2) to title favourites (41/50) best price with 888sport).
Gameweek 1: Pistols at Dawn – 9 August 2019
Another season, another tumultuous Premier League title race in store.
Manchester City’s final-day triumph back in May capped-off a record-breaking season like no other; a test of endurance, skill, focus and, perhaps most important of all: nerve.
Liverpool, who were given a small crumb of final-day ecstasy after Glenn Murray threatened to fell Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut at the final hurdle, were left helplessly stranded on 97 points – with nothing to show for it. How do you come back from that?
Well, on August 9, Manchester City and Liverpool finished sharpening their weapons, as the battle for the Premier League recommenced.
City started the season as 1/2 favourites to win their third consecutive Premier League trophy; Liverpool were 5/2 outsiders.
The game was afoot.
Gameweek 2: Pep Blinks First – 17 August 2019
It took until December 22 last season for anyone to take points off Manchester City at The Etihad Stadium; this time around, Spurs succeeded at the first attempt, holding City to a 2-2 draw following an early-season dose of VAR controversy.
This all occurred after Liverpool overcame an Adrián clanger to edge past Southampton 2-1 at St. Mary’s, opening up a two-point cushion on their Mancunian rivals.
The bookies weren’t to be moved: City remained strong 1/2 favourites for Premier League glory, with Liverpool also static at 5/2.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Liverpool vs Manchester City
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 29, 2019
Percentage of Premier League wins by more than one goal:
Liverpool - 44%
Man City - 100%
Will City close the gap? pic.twitter.com/2jKNNV8rdh
Gameweek 5: City Stunned in Norfolk – 14 September 2019
Gameweek 5 started normally enough – with Liverpool beating Newcastle United at home to maintain their 100% start to the season – but that is where normality ceased.
Manchester City, away at newly-promoted Norwich City, were given the shock of their lives, succumbing 3-2 to Daniel Farke’s men, and this time the bookies certainly did sit up and notice.
Pep’s men drifted to 4/6 for the title, while Liverpool were cut into 7/5.
Gameweek 8: Rabid Wolves Hand Liverpool Favouritism – 6 October 2019
Gameweek 8 gripped the Premier League.
Once again, Liverpool did the business…just. A fortuitous 95th minute James Milner penalty ensured the Reds’ perfect start continued after squeaking past an excellent Foxes side, and once again the pressure was piled onto Guardiola’s champions. They couldn’t falter again. Could they?
Manchester City did falter again. Wolverhampton Wanderers—carving out a reputation as the scourge of the Premier League giants—silenced the typically-mellow Etihad courtesy of an Adama Traoré brace, sending the red half of Merseyside into raptures.
Liverpool were now eight points clear of Manchester City; the bookies, for the first time this season, installed Jürgen Klopp’s men as Premier League title favourites (4/6), while the reigning champions drifted out to 5/4.
Whisper it quietly: could this be Liverpool’s year?
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 29, 2019
If Liverpool and Manchester City picked up the same points from their remaining fixtures this season as their corresponding fixtures last season... pic.twitter.com/z6NgtpyvGS
Gameweek 9: Old Trafford Hoodoo Depletes Liverpool’s Cushion – 20 October 2019
Liverpool had to win at Old Trafford, right? This was the worst Manchester United side in recent memory, who had won four of their previous 17 Premier League matches; Liverpool were surely too strong for the reeling Red Devils.
And yet, as we’ve so often seen, Liverpool were swallowed up by Old Trafford. Adam Lallana’s crucial late equaliser did salvage a point for Klopp, but it still marked Liverpool’s first stumble of the season – which saw their lead at the Premier League summit cut to six points following Manchester City’s functional 2-0 win at Selhurst Park.
This time, however, the bookies remained firm: 888sport, offering best odds of 41/50, still believe the title is edging towards Merseyside – though City, cut to 11/10, are ensuring proceedings remain on a knife-edge.
Gameweek 11: The Current Standings – 28 October 2019
Following their respective victories over the course of gameweek 10, 888sport remain best price (41/50) on Jürgen Klopp’s side capturing their first-ever Premier League title.
Elsewhere in Manchester, odds-against City are breathing down the necks of Liverpool, priced at 23/20 to defend their Premier League crown for a second time.
