Which is the best team that didn't win the league?

[Christian Slater]

I'm discounting the regulars and putting it between Newcastle 96/97 and Liverpool 13/14. I think that's a tough pair to decide on so would like your thoughts.

I'll add in a bonus category of best teams that never won the CL, which I'll nominate the legendary Arsenal side.

 

[HarvSFC]

That Liverpool side wasn't anything special. Just had Suarez and Sturridge before he became crocked.

 

[Christian Slater]

Granted. But what was that Newcastle side without Shearer? I think singling out the finest players of each sides takes away from the brilliance of each team.

 

[epic73]

Does best team mean squad or club?

 

[Christian Slater]

Any way you want to interpret it.

 

[Art Morte]

I probably wouldn't say it's us in '14. We had a crazy winning run of, what, 11 or 12 games or something like that, but our first half of the season was actually quite mediocre. Overall it was an inconsistent season from us - and we conceded more goals (50) than would-be champions should.

United in 2010 were good. They still had Van der Sar and guys like Ferdinand, Vidic, Neville and Evra weren't past it. Berbatov was still good and Rooney had a great season.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

Any way you want to interpret it.

I chose to interpret as best to watch, and the team that gave the most entertaining memories. And I caveat that I don't really remember much about Newcastle in 96/97. Which makes it pretty bloody easy: that Liverpool team were fantastic, even if we could never admit it to Liverpool fans at the time.

For what it's worth, people talk about the inconsistency and the obvious weaknesses the team had - but on their day, I fully believe that side could have beaten absolutely anyone they were put up against.

Best team that never won the CL, in England, probably that Man Utd side that lost to Barcelona in 2008/09. Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and VDS, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand. The average English fan could barely comprehend them losing that final before it happened, they just ran up against what would soon become the best team ever.

 

[Bilo]

Liverpool 08/09 was better than 13/14 in my opinion. That first Xi was among the best in the world, they trounced Real 5-0 over two legs and slaughtered United three days later.

Problem was that the three key players - Torres, Gerrard and Alonso - were injury prone but it takes nothing away from the actual quality of the side.

 

[Renegade]

Yeah, definitely not Liverpool of 13/14 in terms of quality, but I do think they are the most entertaining side not to win the league since I've been watching (about 1998), soon to be Leicester City. They aren't the best in terms of quality just given how weak the Premier League is (at the top end) compared to what it was in the mid-lates '00s when it was a force in Europe. On that basis alone I'd give it to Chelsea 07/08, who also lost in the Champions League final to United. Liverpool 08/09 just behind them.

 

[epic73]

Derby 2007-08

 

[johnnytodd]

Ipswich 1982

close thread..

 

[Camborne Gills]

The West Ham team of 85/6, with Cottee and McAvennie up front

 

[Avatar]

Kinda agree with that liverpool team. Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard in his prime, Torres, Carragher, Reina.... shouldve won the league.

 

[Ablur]

Agreed with that, even our fringe / back up players were pretty good on their day. Benayoun, Babel, Agger/Hyypia, Riise, Arbeloa, Kuyt etc. Certainly better than a lot of players who have featured regularly in Premiership winning teams. If we had that team back then right now, we'd walk the league this season. Our squad of 05/06 was pretty strong too, albeit missing a star striker.

 

[Christian Slater]

Babel was shite.

 

[Ablur]

He was so hit and miss it's unreal, very similar to Sterling for us last season. He scored a winner against United though so we'll let him off.

 

[johnnytodd]

How more deluded can Liverpool fans get?

 

[G-Dragon]

How more deluded can Liverpool fans get?

mad.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Regardless of how close Liverpool were 2 years ago, I can see them not winning the title, in the time which will make Utd's drought seem like a week in comparison