Szoboszlai: Title in “[Liverpool’s] Own Hands”
Liverpool’s No. 8 spoke about the title run-in.
Liverpool’s magic number is currently 6 points, which means that it’s entirely possible that by the time Sunday’s matches conclude, Liverpool would be crowned champions of this season’s Premier League campaign. It’s possible, but it’s not exactly probable as in order for this to happen it would not only require Liverpool to claim all three points against Leicester City, but also for Arsenal to drop points against Ipswich.
Relying on other teams is something that Liverpool’s title races under Jurgen Klopp generally necessitated. Though let me be clear: this isn’t because Liverpool were a team the relied on luck, it’s just their rivals in those years were prime-era Manchester City. Which is to say that Liverpool would work and scrape to ensure that the two annual meetings between the clubs were results that could turn the tide in what are some of the most memorable title challenges in the history of the Premier League.
This year, though, with Liverpool carrying a commanding 13 point lead over second place Arsenal with only 6 matches to go, the Reds are right to feel their metaphorical hands all but gripping the title trophy. And they are doing so without having to rely on teams to slip up.
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai spoke with the official site about precisely that. It should be no surprise that he prefers to be able to hold all the cards and to narrow the run-in into staying laser-focused on the opponent at hand.
“I think it’s very important to be just calm, focus on Leicester [and] don’t even think about what Arsenal does. You have to focus on yourself because it is in your own hand and you have to be happy that it is only in your hand [and] you don’t have to focus on other teams to lose or draw.”
Liverpool’s mentality has been incredibly strong this season and it’s clear the group feels similarly to Szobo; the way they approach matches seems with extreme focus and the kind of calm that comes from being supremely prepared.
This year, the Reds won’t need anyone to slip up to earn the title. Which is well and good because I think most fans would prefer to see them lift the trophy while leaving no doubt that they were deserving champions. Looking at the league table and the results posted over the course of the season, it feels as though Liverpool will come good on that potentiality.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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