General Premier League Thread 2024-25

Literally nobody is saying we're not favourites, or objecting to us being considered favourites, in this thread

Acknowledging that it's not quite done yet does not mean anybody is questioning us being favourites or likely winners

I’d say Klopp is wondering if it wasn’t for AFCON would they have won the title last season. Salah is quite a phenomenon when he’s able to rest and recover.

Last season Liverpool conceded first in an astonishing 15 league games.

They managed it pretty well considering, but that was never going to be sustainable over the full season having to come from behind to get points that many times, regardless of what strikers you had available.

Yes there was AFCON and more injured players than they'd ever had before in a PL season, but it was the constant conceding first and giving the team too much to do to recover points that was always going to hurt them. Even though the table looked good in February, it still felt a bit like it was built on sand.

This season just seems a lot more controlled, although much closer games scoreline-wise, but feels more solid with less danger late on in games compared to last season

Would Liverpool have won it if Klopp had stayed on I wonder or is the fact there was a new face in charge gave Liverpool a massive boost and got them to do what they are doing this season. We'll never know I suppose

Yes, Arsenal had 2 good seasons back to back. This season hasn't been at that level. They hit periods where they do reach the level needed (weren't they on 50 points at the halfway point a season or 2 back).

They need to tweak it so they can do similar levels over 38 games. They need to build out the squad so an injury or 2 doesn't kill them.

They don't need a full rebuild or anything like that.

Agreed for Arteta, he needs to start putting trophies on the table

2 good seasons without winning anything.

There's only so much players will do, without getting the rewards. Their heads must be shot now. 140+ team talks from Arteta in 3 years about how that particular game is the most important and how they have to play exactly to his style and how that style is going to win them the game and that they will win the big trophies etc. Arteta did such a massive job trying to completely change the psychological side of Arsenal to make them stronger, than he nearly went too much to that side. Everything is all-in with the team now. Gee-ing each other up every time the ball goes dead, waving arms to the fans for winning a corner in the 10th minute, delaying the game to wait for their team talks around taking set pieces, building up the corner routines, trying to get into opposition heads, huddles etc etc. It's a lot, and IMO too much, and really trying to over emphasize that they are mentally strong now.

And nothing to show for it.

I would very confidently say Liverpool would not have won anything more under Klopp. It had run its course.

I think it's more to do with a good support network behind the manager to be honest. This is the benefit of not relying totally on a manger to build and oversee future building of squads.

Far more seemless transition between managers

Agreed, Klopp left the club in a fine position but the team was absolutely ready for a new approach.

I’d wonder if Pep extending is a factor in City’s decline too. For months he was very clear about leaving at the end of the contract and maybe some of the senior players were looking forward to a new direction.

I am slightly curious how arteta’s comments post westham will be perceived in the Arsenal dressing room. It wasn’t Declan rice’s or William Saliba’s decision to buy calafiori or merino.

Man utd are not improving and now seem financially hamstrung so it can be said already that a top 4 finish season for them next season would be a huge success (I.e. they won’t be in the title shake up)

And then the main story to drop in the next month or so is man city’s punishment.

So while the title and relegation issues look 95% decided there is still some other interesting sub plots.

Must be frustrating for Arsenal coming close the last couple of seasons and not being able to take advantage of City’s decline this year. I know there’s a lot of talk about their systems, strikers etc and I know Arteta has progressed them but I wonder if they had someone like Tuchel or Mourinho who are more pragmatic and proven winners would they have lifted the title.

Wouldn’t be overly critical on Arteta - 89 and 84 points are great returns and they’re probably going to end up on mid to high 70s while dealing with a host of injuries. And it’s pretty normal to be a bit exhausted after a couple of title charges, Klopps Liverpool had some real dips after high point seasons.

I can imagine some frustration that they’re not at it the same season that City are but I don’t see any reason why they would change Arteta now.

This is always such flawed logic,.if united could get rid of casmaerio he would already be gone, yes wages on players is a much bigger problems then the non playing staff, but the non playing staff is bloated and also running at a huge loss and a problem, one that they can start fixing now, just because you have a big problem you can't fix doesn't mean you should ignore the little ones you can