AC Milan’s historic team of the early 1990s once went 58 games without tasting defeat. Bayern Munich managed 53 between 2012 and 2014, while Arsenal ’s own Invincibles went 49 before Manchester United ended their streak in 2004.
But those runs were nothing compared to the one Mark Lawrenson predicted Liverpool would go on under Jurgen Klopp. Lawro’s predictions became as much of a fixture of a Premier League weekend as Sports Report and Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week.
The Reds legend tipped the latest round of matches as part of his 30-year association with BBC Sport. Lawrenson was a piece of the furniture at the BBC, appearing on Match of the Day, Football Focus and contributing to live action whether as a co-commentator or studio pundit.
That long relationship came to an end earlier this year, with the 65-year-old blasting his former employers for how they dealt with his exit. "The Beeb are probably the worst at giving you bad news,” he told the Times.
“It was just, ‘We are going on the road next season with Focus. We don’t think it is really something for you.’ I haven’t watched the programme since to see if they have gone on the road."
Pressed for the reason behind his exit, he added: “Well, I’m 65 and a white male, so you know...". Lawrenson also said he began to feel like he couldn't say what he really thought for fear of upsetting someone, claiming the 'woke thing drives him bonkers'.
And with Lawro back in the headlines, many have been fondly recalling his weekly column, which included him backing his old side on a relentless basis. In fact, had he been correct, Liverpool would have gone 1638 days without a loss.
After predicting West Brom would beat the Reds on May 15, 2016, Lawro didn’t go against Liverpool for the next 159 matches. In 16/17, he backed them for 27 wins and 11 draws, before predicting unbeaten seasons in each of the next three seasons.
In fairness to the former defender, Klopp’s side developed a remarkable level of consistency, only losing 16 times in that period and won the Premier League title in 19/20. He ended his long run in November of that year, revealing he felt Manchester City would get the best of their title rivals.
“I know I never usually tip Liverpool to lose but I just feel like it is a massive game for both defences and this time it is the Reds who have the uncertainty at the back,” he explained at the time.
On his long streak of Liverpool wins, he added: “I only became aware of it a couple of seasons ago when people started giving me a bit of stick about it. Since then, though, Liverpool have been absolutely outstanding and have hardly ever lost a real game either. So how good am I?
“Seriously, though, I don't go through my previous predictions for each team when I look at the fixtures each week. I don't pay any attention to the table based on my scores either, but the top teams often stay unbeaten because I don't tip them to lose many games - they don't, so why would I?”
Lawrenson’s forecast actually turned out to be incorrect, with Liverpool earning a 1-1 draw at The Etihad. Oh ye of little faith.
