Liverpool's record as Premier League and Division One Christmas Day runners-up
Thursday 22 December 2016 22:24, UK
Liverpool have been Christmas Day runner-ups on eight occasions since 1892 and won the title in six of those seasons,
The Reds will be second in the top flight on Christmas Day for the first time in 27 years.
They did top the Premier League in 2013/14, 2008/09 and 1996/97 but failed to finish at the summit come May in each of those campaigns.
However, Liverpool have a remarkable record of winning 75 per cent of their campaigns from a second-place standing at Christmas, including the last four occasions dating back to 1974.
We look back at the eight seasons when Liverpool were second in the league on Christmas Day...
1989/90
Liverpool kicked off their season with a 1-0 win over Arsenal in the Charity Shield, a re-run of the title-deciding fixture from the previous season when a last-minute Michael Thomas goal saw the Gunners lift the trophy on goal difference.
With the likes of John Barnes, Peter Beardsley and Ian Rush at his disposal, Reds boss Kenny Dalglish recorded a 9-0 win over Crystal Palace at Anfield in September, which was also John Aldridge's last game for the club.
The Reds were behind champions Arsenal on Christmas Day but leapfrogged the Gunners before the new year and thumped Swansea 8-0 in an FA Cup third round replay in January.
Liverpool loaned Ronny Rosenthal from Standard Liege in March and claimed the league title in April.
CHRISTMAS DAY LEAGUE POSITION: 2nd
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION: 1st
MANAGER: Kenny Dalglish
TOP GOALSCORER: John Barnes (28)
1985/86
The 1985/86 season saw Kenny Dalglish take the helm at Anfield at just 34 years old and enjoyed a sluggish August with wins over Arsenal and Ipswich but a loss to Newcastle and draws against Aston Villa and West Ham.
After a more promising September and October, the Reds slumped in December, winning just one game against Aston Villa and sat second behind Manchester United on Christmas Day.
But Dalglish's men went on an undefeated run from February 22 to claim the title and FA Cup.
CHRISTMAS DAY LEAGUE POSITION: 2nd
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION: 1st
MANAGER: Kenny Dalglish
TOP GOALSCORER: Ian Rush (31)
1976/77
Led by Bob Paisley, Liverpool started the season impressively but slipped to second behind Ipswich at Christmas after losing three out of four games in December.
However, the festive slump proved to be a blip as the Reds proceeded to take the league title and claim the European Cup with a 3-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach in Rome.
CHRISTMAS DAY LEAGUE POSITION: 2nd
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION: 1st
MANAGER: Bob Paisley
TOP GOALSCORER: Kevin Keegan (20)
1975/76
Liverpool bounced back from behind Manchester United at Christmas to claim their ninth league title ahead of QPR in May and also won their second UEFA Cup.
CHRISTMAS DAY LEAGUE POSITION: 2nd
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION: 1st
MANAGER: Bob Paisley
TOP GOALSCORER: John Toshack (23)
1973/74
Liverpool were second in the league and seven points behind Leeds on December 25, 1973.
The Reds closed the gap to five points but finished the season runners-up, winning the FA Cup in Bill Shankly's last season in charge.
CHRISTMAS DAY LEAGUE POSITION: 2nd
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION: 2nd
MANAGER: Bill Shankly
TOP GOALSCORER: Kevin Keegan (19)
1966/67
The only season in which Liverpool have been second at Christmas and finished the season in a lower position.
The Reds were just two points behind Manchester United on Christmas Day in 1966, but ended the season nine points behind their title-winning rivals in fifth.
CHRISTMAS DAY LEAGUE POSITION: 2nd
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION: 5th
MANAGER: Bill Shankly
TOP GOALSCORER: Roger Hunt (19)
1946/47
Liverpool were four points behind Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Day in 1946 but ended the season as champions, one point ahead of Manchester United and Wolves.
CHRISTMAS DAY LEAGUE POSITION: 2nd
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION: 1st
MANAGER: George Kay
TOP GOALSCORER: Albert Stubbins, Jack Balmer (28 each)
1900/01
The Reds were trailing league leaders Nottingham Forest by five points on December 25, 1900 but ended the season as champions, two points clear of Sunderland.
