David James, former Liverpool goalkeeper, has emphasized a critical target for the Reds if they aspire to win the Premier League title this season. According to James, Liverpool should aim to reach the 90-point mark, which he believes is the standard needed to dethrone Manchester City and secure their first league title since 2020.
As things stand, Liverpool sits at the top of the table with 18 points from their first seven matches. The team has won six games and lost only one, maintaining an impressive average of 2.57 points per game. While these numbers are promising, a difficult sequence of fixtures awaits them after the October international break. Maintaining this momentum could be a tall order, especially given the challenging run of games that Liverpool will have to face in the coming weeks.
In a recent discussion on the BBC’s Premier League Review podcast, James outlined his thoughts on what Liverpool needs to do to maintain their top position and make a strong bid for the title. He suggested that 90 points should be the benchmark.
“The way I see it, 90 points is what a team should be aiming for to win the league,” said James. “It’s very basic – win 30 games and lose the other eight.”
James elaborated on this idea, explaining that it doesn’t necessarily matter who Liverpool loses to, as long as they can secure enough wins to hit the magic number. “If you go by that model, it doesn’t matter who you lose to. You still end up with 90 points, despite all the speed bumps. Lose them, that’s fine, but make sure you win 30 games.”
The Importance of Reaching 90 Points
The emphasis on reaching 90 points is not arbitrary. In six of the last eight Premier League seasons, the champion has amassed over 90 points. The two exceptions were in 2014/15, when Chelsea won with 87 points, and in 2020/21, when Manchester City won with 86. Last season, City finished with 91 points, which is a testament to how competitive the league has become.
For Liverpool, aiming for 90 points is both ambitious and essential. In the past six years, they have exceeded this total three times. Yet, they only have one league title to show for it, and they finished second with 97 points in the 2018/19 season, when City narrowly edged them by one point. This highlights the stiff competition Liverpool faces, especially from their rivals in Manchester.
Last season, Liverpool finished with 82 points, which was not enough to challenge City for the title. However, with a nearly identical squad under new manager Arne Slot, they are not far from reaching the points threshold that would position them as strong contenders.
A History of Draws and Missed Opportunities
One of Liverpool’s major challenges in recent years has been their tendency to draw matches, which has often cost them valuable points. In contrast, Manchester City has been able to capitalize on key moments to secure wins, even in difficult matches. This season, however, Liverpool seems to be addressing this issue by turning potential draws into wins.
So far, Liverpool has avoided the kind of slip-ups that plagued them in previous campaigns. If they can continue to show this level of resilience, they stand a good chance of reaching the 90-point benchmark that James suggests is essential.
The Road Ahead
From this point, Liverpool has a challenging journey toward the end of the season. The team has yet to face what will likely be their biggest obstacles in the quest for Premier League glory. Following the international break, they will encounter a demanding stretch of games against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, and Aston Villa – all teams that can test Liverpool’s resolve.
For Slot and his players, the immediate focus will be on maintaining their place at the top of the table through this testing period. They are in a healthy position as they approach the quarterway mark of the season, but the real test will be their ability to sustain this level of performance over the long haul.
Liverpool’s bid to reclaim the Premier League title will ultimately depend on their capacity to consistently earn points, particularly against other top teams. If they can do so, reaching James’ 90-point target is within reach – and so too might be the league title they crave. With the team displaying early signs of cohesion and determination, Liverpool fans can be cautiously optimistic about their chances this season.
