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Originally Posted by Slava
I don't know, when I see this I immediately think "mean reversion". How likely is it that Liverpool loses only one game this season? I wouldn't bet my house on that. And how likely is it for City to crack 100 points again? It's possible and they're the front-runners, but I couldn't say for sure that they'll do that either. And it's even less odds that both of them reach that level, at least in my opinion. So let's say they each wind-up with closer to 90 points.
And then you have Spurs who were way out of it. I think that they've improved. They're not winning every game either, and haven't fixed every problem. But they're good for an extra 2-3 wins here and there I think. Suddenly that 25 point gap is like 5-6 points, and it's not based on anything too insane I would say?
I mean you're right that Liverpool and City didn't really need to do anything because they won the CL and PL respectively. At the same time, Spurs made the final but my worry is that papered over some cracks. I don't think anyone could argue that while the win over City and Ajax were probably the most thrilling victories ever, they weren't exactly repeatable. So to bank on "well look at last year and it wasn't close" seems a little foolhardy.
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Some good points, but remember, it isnt 'mean reversion.'
Liverpool spent heavily to shore up weak spots in the squad and are apparently confident in that. We spent big on Alisson and VVD as well as other positions.
Could we use some strengthening? Sure. But again, if we go out and buy more big name players for a lot of money who are they displacing in the starting XI? Would they be satisfied being squad players?
This is standard stuff with Big Clubs, Real Madrid and Barca have struggled with it forever by getting so many huge players and then they rot on the bench and then when called upon they're rusty because they get little to no playing time.
Klopp has been pretty consistent with his squad and his rotations as well as the versatility of his squad. Players that can play the wingbacks as well as CB as the case requires.
Injuries happen, no question. But then again, as you said the CL Semis were thrilling.
We throttled Barca at Anfield with no Salah or Firmino. Maybe the expectation of guys like Origi and others is to take a step to allow some players more rest.
What we're seeing is more faith in the players that we have without adding significant players that may not see the field enough to keep them happy.
Its a risk, surely.