The latest form guide is out, and it shows Liverpool finally overtaking Tottenham on a rolling 38 game basis, even if it is only on goal difference. This means that we are now in that 4th Champions League place over a rolling 38 game period for the first time since the Benitez era:
ROLLING 38 GAME TABLE
| Points Average / Game | TOTAL | |
| 2.18 | MAN URE | 83 |
| 2.08 | MAN CITY | 79 |
| 1.79 | CHELSEA | 68 |
| 1.68 | LIVERPOOL | 64 |
| 1.68 | TOTTENHAM | 64 |
| 1.68 | ARSENAL | 64 |
| 1.45 | EVERTON | 55 |
| 1.42 | NORWICH | 54 |
| 1.42 | NEWCASTLE | 54 |
| 1.32 | QPR | 50 |
| 1.26 | ASTON VILLA | 48 |
| 1.26 | STOKE CITY | 48 |
Another interesting aspect of the above table is just how far away the top two are from the rest of the league. Chelsea have slipped back considerably and Arsenal are lying 6th. It strongly suggests that, this season at least, the main fight will be between the four clubs below Man Utd and Man City who all have a decent chance of claiming one of the other two Champions League places.
The gap between Everton and Arsenal shows that there is a clear hierarchy in the Premier League: A mini-league containing the two Manchester clubs at the top, four teams contesting a Champions League place below them and then the rest of the league fighting over scraps.
We have also been tracking the Liverpool performance since Kenny Dalglish took charge. Dalglish has been in charge for 27 Premier League games, and over this period of time Liverpool are comfortably the 4th best team in the league:
ROLLING 27 GAME TABLE (DALGLISH ERA)
| Points Average / Game | TOTAL | |
| 2.15 | MAN CITY | 58 |
| 2.07 | MAN URE | 56 |
| 2.04 | CHELSEA | 55 |
| 1.78 | LIVERPOOL | 48 |
| 1.67 | TOTTENHAM | 45 |
| 1.56 | ARSENAL | 42 |
| 1.56 | EVERTON | 42 |
| 1.48 | NEWCASTLE | 40 |
| 1.41 | NORWICH | 38 |
| 1.41 | ASTON VILLA | 38 |
| 1.37 | QPR | 37 |
The last time we published the form league, Liverpool were also 4th on a rolling 15 game basis. However, our recent slip ups have allowed a resurgent Newcastle United to take our place:
ROLLING 15 GAME TABLE
| Points Average / Game | TOTAL | |
| 2.67 | MAN CITY | 40 |
| 2.07 | MAN URE | 31 |
| 1.93 | CHELSEA | 29 |
| 1.73 | NEWCASTLE | 26 |
| 1.67 | LIVERPOOL | 25 |
| 1.67 | TOTTENHAM | 25 |
| 1.53 | EVERTON | 23 |
| 1.47 | NORWICH | 22 |
| 1.47 | ASTON VILLA | 22 |
| 1.33 | STOKE CITY | 20 |
| 1.27 | QPR | 19 |
Take a look above at the gap between City and United. City have gone from being just 2 points clear on a rolling 27 game basis to being a massive 9 points clear over 15 games. This is equivalent to a 23 point gap over a full season, which very clearly points to a changing of the guard at the top of the table.
Back to Liverpool, the 10 game form guide is concerning. We are back in 6th place with a 5 point gap between ourselves and Newcastle in 4th. Newcastle’s form is likely to dip, so the 7 point gap that Tottenham have opened up over us is the real concern:
ROLLING 10 GAME TABLE
| MAN CITY | 28 |
| MAN URE | 23 |
| TOTTENHAM | 22 |
| NEWCASTLE | 20 |
| CHELSEA | 19 |
| LIVERPOOL | 15 |
The 5 game table does not read much better. We are all the way down in 8th place, with the only crumb of comfort coming from United being in 7th:
ROLLING 5 GAME TABLE
| Points Average / Game | TOTAL | |
| 2.60 | MAN CITY | 13 |
| 2.60 | TOTTENHAM | 13 |
| 2.20 | NEWCASTLE | 11 |
| 2.00 | NORWICH | 10 |
| 1.80 | CHELSEA | 9 |
| 1.80 | ARSENAL | 9 |
| 1.60 | MAN URE | 8 |
| 1.60 | LIVERPOOL | 8 |
| 1.60 | QPR | 8 |
In summary, Liverpool’s long term form (the important metric) is very healthy. Had the season started 38 games ago we would have completed our mission to successfully get back into the Champions League. Our recent form is a cause for concern but we are by no means at panic stations.
It is really important now that we go on a good run to cement the 4th place spot in the actual league. Let’s hope that, the next time this guide is updated, the last 10 games are shown to be a blip rather than a trend.
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To add perspective, promoted clubs get 2 points from their wins in The Championship
really interesting, good job mate
It’s all about taking chances, simple as that!!!!!!
Interesting stats but we already have shades of 2008 about us. 4th is unacceptable for lfc but its also reflective upon just how badly money has tainted the game. We vie for 4th behind a club with history just as ours(as much as it hurts to say it), and 2 big spending outfits that are purchasing success.
We have to stop leaking points. We could, and should be 2nd. In our defence though the team is still gelling. KK needs to give a regular place to Bellers. Things happen when he plays.
Certainly exciting times ahead though and great days to be a red.