First off, a belated Happy New Year! It seems right to start a regular digest of all the happenings here and in the football world.
TITLE SHOWDOWN
Which team will blink first? Manchester City host Liverpool in tomorrow’s only Premier League fixture and there is a lot riding on it. Should the visitors be victorious they would open up a 10-point gap on their opponents. It would represent a giant stride towards winning their first league title in 29 years.
City’s title prospects should not be dismissed were they to lose, 10 points is not insurmountable, but it feels like the stars have aligned in Liverpool’s favour. Whereas City have been porous in defence, Liverpool’s back line has been miserly, and that has more to do with training than luck.
So…division’s top scorers versus meanest defence. Draw it is.
Popbitch-esque, but to put Liverpool’s league drought into context, it has lasted longer than the Berlin Wall stood.
GET READING
Liverpool’s “Boot Room” became the cornerstone of the club’s success. Peter Hooton’s account of a glorious period in the club’s history is a must read for 2019: our brief review can be found here.
GIANT-KILLING TV ACTION
The FA Cup resumes on Friday with the third round, so expect the top clubs to make a host of first-team changes. Shame the broadcasters are keeping it the same. Manchester United, last season’s finalists, will be on TV for the 64th time in 65th cup fixtures. Something to do with ratings.
Between November 2002 and January 2003, 18 consecutive matches featuring Manchester United were televised in Britain. Has any other club better that record? If so, get in touch.
ON TO THE DAY’S BIG STORY…
Chelsea this morning completed the signing of forward Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund for £58 million. He however will remain at the club at the end of the season, on loan, and team up with Maurizio Sarri’s merry men in pre-season.
Pulisic could endear himself to the Chelsea fans by knocking their rivals Tottenham Hotspur out of the Champions League. That would be a story, considering he has struggled to hold down a spot in the starting eleven this season.
“I NEARLY SIGNED HIM…”
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