#1. Liverpool (2013-14)
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Liverpool’s long wait for a league title extended for over two decades and after missing out on Champions League football for four seasons straight, the major objective for the 2013/14 season was securing Champions League football once again. However, the Merseyside club punched above their weight and mounted an unlikely title challenge which was propelled by goals from Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
The Reds were top of the table at Christmas after four straight impressive wins against Norwich City, West Ham, Spurs and Cardiff City. But the club slipped to fifth by the New Year after back to back away defeats against fellow title contenders Manchester City and Chelsea.
Liverpool bounced back from this by going on a 16 game unbeaten streak during which they picked up 44 out of the maximum possible 48. This included a crucial win against Manchester City which ensured that Liverpool’s chances winning the title depended only on their performance.
On April 27, 2014, Liverpool were hosting Chelsea. Chelsea’s chances of winning the title was slim at this point and were trouble with injuries to Terry and Cech among others. The Blues had better chances of winning the Champions League and had a crucial semi-final against Atletico Madrid a few days later. Keeping this in mind, Mourinho rested many of the regulars and started some fringe players like Schwarzer, Cole, Ba and Salah. Also among the starters was debutant Tomas Kalas.
At this point, the league table looked like this.
Position | Team | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals difference | Points |
1 | Liverpool | 35 | 25 | 5 | 5 | 52 | 80 |
2 | Chelsea | 35 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 41 | 75 |
3 | Manchester City | 34 | 23 | 5 | 6 | 56 | 74 |
Although City had a game in hand, Liverpool could afford to draw one game out of their remaining three, but if Liverpool lost a game, then City could go ahead if they won their remaining games due to a superior goal difference.
During the game against Chelsea, disaster struck in the added time of the first half. Steven Gerrard of all people, slipped while receiving a pass from Mamadou Sakho. Demba Ba capitalised on Gerrard’s mistake and found himself through on goal. Ba finished the chance that was gifted to him and put a question mark on Liverpool’s title chances.
Chelsea spent the remaining game trying to waste time and defended deep in their half to hold on to their lead. In the added time of the second half they scored again as Liverpool committed bodies forward.
The table looked like this at the end of the game week.
Position | Team | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals difference | Points |
1 | Liverpool | 36 | 25 | 5 | 6 | 50 | 80 |
2 | Chelsea | 36 | 24 | 6 | 6 | 43 | 78 |
3 | Manchester City | 35 | 24 | 5 | 6 | 58 | 77 |
Liverpool’s penultimate game of the season was away to Crystal Palace and the Reds took a 3-0 lead in the game. With goal difference being the separator if City won all their games, Liverpool attempted to score more goals at the Selhurst Park. However, the reds ended up conceding three more and dropped two vital points which gave the title to Manchester City on a platter.
Manchester City held their nerves to win their last three games against Everton, Aston Villa and West Ham to lift the title which was Liverpool’s to win at one point.
