Liverpool fans should be happy with their team

It seems very strange to me that since yesterday’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, the general mood of some Liverpool fans has changed. It has gone from delight at being top of the table and hoping to win the league, to a mass case of panic on social media.

Let us put this into perspective, Liverpool are four points clear of reigning champions Manchester City after 21 league games. I am sure everybody connected with the club would have taken this at the start of the season. Therefore, why the panic about losing a game they did not have to win?

Reds fans have plenty to be positive about

I hate the old Harry Enfield sketch about the Scousers using the phrase ‘calm down, calm down’. It was part of a tired old stereotype, which belongs in the distant past.

However, for me that is what Liverpool fans need to do, calm down and enjoy the way the team are playing. I hate to say it, but at times Liverpool are a great team to watch. When Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and of course Mohamed Salah are on their game they are so difficult to stop. The trio cause sheer panic in the ranks of opposing defenders.

Then there is the big defensive improvement courtesy of the addition of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and the Duracell bunny left-back Andy Robertson in the last season and a half.

Jurgen Klopp’s side has proven for half of the Premier League season that they are better than everybody else in English top-flight. Only Chelsea, Arsenal and City have taken any points off the Reds this season. This is a massive positive for the Reds.

The title race is now down to mental strength

A core group of this Manchester City squad have been involved in winning the Premier League title on a number of occasions. They know what it takes mentally to win the big games and trophies.

As players, they are mentally prepared for the battle ahead for the rest of the season. The likes of David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany have been there, done it and won the medal.

However, Liverpool as a club have failed to win the English league title in 28 years. Very few of the players in the Liverpool squad have won a European domestic title either. Their squad is full of international players, but league titles at the top level are short on the ground amongst the Liverpool squad.

Whether Liverpool ends that long wait for a Premier League title will depend on the player’s mental strength. The pressure has got to the Reds players in the recent past when it comes to finishing the job in the title race.

This group of players seem to be pretty mentally strong. However, we will only really find out what these players are made of in the next few months. If the players can keep a level head, then they are half way there to winning the league.

Liverpool still the title favourites

Despite their slip-up at the Etihad Stadium, Liverpool are still the favourites to win the league this season at odds of 5/4. Obviously, the defeat has changed those odds, but the Reds are still comfortable at the top of the table.

No team has managed to beat them in the top-flight prior to City this season, so they just need to keep going as they were before the rare defeat and they will end the season as champions.

Liverpool fans should be positive about their team, not berate them after one defeat against one of the best sides the Premier League has ever seen. However, if Liverpool fails to win the title this season, then I would hate to see the reaction of that small minority who seem to have endured a meltdown since last night’s match finished.

Should Liverpool fans be panicking after City defeat?