It promises to be a nail-biting run-in for the Premier League title. Manchester City continue to have a one-point edge over the Reds, but Jurgen Klopp’s men are primed and ready to strike should Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions buckle under the pressure. For most neutrals, Liverpool winning the title would be a victory for tradition. The Reds’ first title-winning season since 1990 would serve as an inspiration to other sleeping giants that it is possible to defy the oligarchs and mould a successful team by steadily progressing over time.
Liverpool is a city rich in sporting heritage outside of football. There are so many other sporting heroes from Liverpool that are willing the Reds to go on and claim the title; as well as a sixth Champions League crown, having recently overcome FC Porto in the quarter-finals. Liverpool FC becoming champions of England once again could give Liverpudlians in other professional sports a fillip to go on and make a little piece of history of their own. Let’s take a look at some of Liverpool’s other fledgeling sporting stars that could help to put even more sporting pride back into the city.
Darren Till – MMA welterweight still battling to reach the top
Liverpudlian welterweight UFC fighter Darren Till currently finds himself sixth in the UFC welterweight rankings, following back-to-back losses to Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley. Prior to the bout with Woodley in September 2018, Till had a flawless UFC record and was challenging for the UFC welterweight belt in Dallas. Till still harbours hopes of claiming that belt and has a dream to fight at his beloved Anfield in the near future.
The way Darren Till effortlessly sold out the Echo Arena for UFC 130 would suggest that his ambition to host a fight night at Anfield in the coming months isn’t misplaced. UFC is one of the fastest-growing sporting brands in the UK. Its recent tie-up with PokerStars, featuring UFC-branded competitions and giveaways, has given mixed martial arts a new voice among British poker enthusiasts.
David Price – on course for a heavyweight battle with Dave Allen
Photo by Be Real TV, CC BY 3.0
Heavyweight Merseysider David Price was tipped as one of the best prospects in boxing’s most glittering division at the start of the decade. However, a string of disappointing defeats has left him having to regroup. The 35-year-old has recently confirmed a bout with up-and-coming prospect Dave Allen on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s bout with Oscar Rivas.
The fight is arguably the last chance saloon for Price, who will be hoping for one more big fight should he dispose of the Yorkshireman. Price has a large and loyal following from Liverpool, while Allen’s hometown of Doncaster will also be cheering him on in a true “Roses” battle.
Luke Strong – looking to qualify for Tokyo 2020
25-year-old Liverpudlian Luke Strong is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most talented trampoline gymnasts. He bagged his fourth British title in 2018, before qualifying for the men’s individual final at the World Championships in Russia. Having been a reserve for the 2016 Rio Olympics, Luke will be desperate to go one further and qualify to represent the UK at Tokyo 2020. Luke still trains at his local City of Liverpool club and would be buoyed by the wave of positivity that a Liverpool Premier League title would bring to the area.
Rocky Fielding – bouncing back from historic defeat to Canelo
Michael “Rocky” Fielding is the darling of Liverpool’s boxing fans. The former WBA super middleweight champion recently took the fight of his life to face multiple middleweight champ, Saul Canelo Alvarez at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Rocky froze on the big stage, allowing Canelo to become a three-division champion; something which has left a sour taste in the 31-year-old’s mouth after such a fearless career up until that bout. Fielding will hope to get back in the ring soon – most likely at his beloved Echo Arena – and put the defeat to Canelo well and truly behind him.
Even if the Reds don’t quite manage to do it this season, Jurgen and the team have certainly put immense pride back into Liverpool’s rich and diverse sporting heritage.
