By Robbie Butler
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign at home to Stoke City on Saturday week and in doing so will kick-off the 2013-2014 Premier League season. Even the most partisan of Liverpool fans will admit a 19th league title is as far away as ever. In fact, Captain Steven Gerrard has openly admitted that he will probably retire without ever winning the Premier League.
Just as Gerrard comes to the end of his journey, another Merseyside favourite of the past decade David Moyes, starts a new journey up the M62 in Old Trafford. The former Everton manager takes charge of the most successful club in the domestic game. No doubt Moyes will hope to end his trophy duck and is odd-on to end the season will sliverwear.
However, things were not always so sweet in the red half of Manchester. Just as Liverpool continue to endure a league title famine, United experienced an even longer period in the wilderness. By the time Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson and co. lifted the title in May 1993, United had gone 26 years without landing the ultimate prize in domestic football. Liverpool have now gone 23 years.
The graphs below plot both Manchester United and Liverpool league finishing positions during both periods, something akin to a business cycle in the case of United (1967 – 1993).
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign at home to Stoke City on Saturday week and in doing so will kick-off the 2013-2014 Premier League season. Even the most partisan of Liverpool fans will admit a 19th league title is as far away as ever. In fact, Captain Steven Gerrard has openly admitted that he will probably retire without ever winning the Premier League.
Just as Gerrard comes to the end of his journey, another Merseyside favourite of the past decade David Moyes, starts a new journey up the M62 in Old Trafford. The former Everton manager takes charge of the most successful club in the domestic game. No doubt Moyes will hope to end his trophy duck and is odd-on to end the season will sliverwear.
However, things were not always so sweet in the red half of Manchester. Just as Liverpool continue to endure a league title famine, United experienced an even longer period in the wilderness. By the time Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson and co. lifted the title in May 1993, United had gone 26 years without landing the ultimate prize in domestic football. Liverpool have now gone 23 years.
The graphs below plot both Manchester United and Liverpool league finishing positions during both periods, something akin to a business cycle in the case of United (1967 – 1993).
The interesting point to note is that United’s decline was far more dramatic, with the Red Devils even relegated in 1974! Liverpool on the other hand, have never been outside the top eight. United’s average league position over the 26 years was 6.88 with a standard deviation of 5.16, while Liverpool’s average league position since 1990 has been 4.46. (stdev 2.02).
Incredibly, United’s third worst league finish between 1967 and 1993 occurred under Alex Ferguson in 1990 and was just three years before they were crowned kings of England again!
So maybe Stevie G is closer than he thinks. After all, it’s always darkest just before the dawn…
Incredibly, United’s third worst league finish between 1967 and 1993 occurred under Alex Ferguson in 1990 and was just three years before they were crowned kings of England again!
So maybe Stevie G is closer than he thinks. After all, it’s always darkest just before the dawn…
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