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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Manchester United collapse shows Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp the main danger against Man City

It's pushing it a bit to suggest the roar could be heard across Merseyside and beyond.

But there was certainly a ripple of commotion across a certain part of Kirkby when Wolverhampton Wanderers struck for a second time at Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

News Liverpool would go into the international break eight points clear at the top of the Premier League was greeted with delight by those in the stand at the Academy during half-time of the under-23s' clash with Wigan Athletic.

Even at this early stage of the season, the gap to City - aiming for a third successive title - is sizeable.

At no point during the title tussle between the teams last term did Liverpool possess such a lead having played the same number of games as Pep Guardiola's side.

Seven points was the maximum, the advantage Jurgen Klopp's side had before losing their solitary game of the season at the Etihad in early January.

But when was the last time Liverpool were that far ahead in the top flight?

You have to go a long way back for the answer. In fact, back to before the Premier League era started.

Pep Guardiola reacts to Manchester City's 2-0 defeat to Wolves

The date was November 17, 1990, with Liverpool's 1-0 win at Coventry City moving them eight points clear of Arsenal having won 12 of their opening 13 games.

Even then, the lead over the Londoners was only that large because the Gunners had been docked two points for their part in the infamous brawl with Manchester United the previous month.

The last time Liverpool had an advantage of at least eight points without the need for points being deducted from their nearest rivals was May 1990.

Again Coventry City were beaten away, this time 6-1, moving Liverpool nine points clear of Aston Villa on the final day of the 1989/90 season - the occasion of their 18th and most recent championship triumph.

James Milner slots home Liverpool's winner from the penalty spot beyond Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to put Jurgen Klopp's side eight points clear (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The following 1990/91 season was the last time the Reds won their opening eight league games.

They did not win the title.

The record in the modern era for most top-flight wins from the start of a campaign was the 10 achieved by Manchester United in 1985/86, the Old Trafford side 10 points clear of second-placed Liverpool by the time their run was halted with a draw at Luton Town.

They did not win the title.

However, there were reasons for Liverpool and United's challenges unravelling.

The Reds were in the closing stages of Kenny Dalglish's first reign with the tumultuous and harrowing off-field events of previous years finally taking a toll on the manager, the players and the club itself.

United, although FA Cup winners the previous campaign in 1985, were punching above their weight and ultimately hampered by injuries to key players and lack of squad strength. Liverpool, famously, went on to win the Double that season.

So why shouldn't the same happen to Klopp's side?

Liverpool won a sixth European Cup in June (Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Certainly, Manchester City are an opponent that, with two successive league titles, knows what it takes to get over the line. They won't come any tougher.

But having accrued a club record 97 points in pursuing Pep Guardiola's side last term, Liverpool have shown they have consistency and durability.

That's underlined by the fact the eight-game winning run from the start of this season is part of a 17-game stretch that the Reds will hope to extend at United on Sunday week and equal City's all-time record.

And that Liverpool could last season also claim a sixth European Cup is evidence of significant squad depth and the belief they can claim silverware.

As has been proven, being eight points clear after eight games is no guarantee of becoming league champions. You can lose the title in that time, but you can't win it.

Nevertheless, Klopp's Liverpool have shown they are capable of making perfect use of their early advantage.

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