It only marginally moved the needle here in the States, but it became one of the biggest sports stories in the world over the weekend. Mighty Liverpool, the defending European champions in midst of a historic season in the Premier League, lost. Watford’s 3-0 victory over the soon-to-be domestic champions ended a multitude of records, including handing Liverpool its first loss in PL play in the last 44 games. It was also the side’s most lopsided defeat since October 2017.
There’s a strong chance that Liverpool still finishes with the best season in history – it’s dropped five total points in 28 games – but it will have to settle for second on the Premier League’s all-time unbeaten run list:
T4) Arsenal (2001-02):
A precursor for what was to come in a few years, Arsenal lost in December 2001, and didn’t lose again until the following October, a span of 30 matches, the last 13 of which were all wins. Though it came to a halt against Everton, when a 16-year-old named Wayne Rooney stunned the Gunners with an extra time winner for his first PL goal, Arsene Wenger’s team wasn’t done yet.
T4) Manchester City (2017-18):
In midst of what is (for now at least) a record season for points (100) and wins (32), City went 30 straight games without losing. Liverpool ended the run in January 2018 in a 4-3 thriller. In that stretch, City dropped just eight points, which boggles the mind. What makes Liverpool’s run more mind-boggling: the Reds dropped just 10 points in their run that lasted 14 more games.
3) Chelsea (2004-05):
Jose Mourinho took over the Blues and immediately led Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League titles. That includes a stretch of 40 consecutive games without a loss, before a 2005 defeat against Manchester United. He’s now a polarizing figure around European soccer, but in his first stint at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea never lost a home match.
2) Liverpool (2019-20):
The last time Liverpool came away with no points in a Premier League match was last January, a 2-1 setback against Manchester City. Fast forward 44 matches and they finally did it again on Saturday. In that span they collected 122 points, while also tying the all-time record for consecutive Premier League wins, coming out victorious in 18 straight. They are still very much on pace to break the league record for points and wins in a season.
1) Arsenal (2003-04):
The team is in midst of a stunning Round of 32 exit in the Europa League and has fairly significant financial issues... but North London breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday. The 2003-04 team continues to be the only team ever to go through the entire Premier League season without a loss. Yes, there were 12 draws in there, but the Invincibles have a claim to fame no one else can match in the modern era. That run made up the bulk of what became a 49-game unbeaten run in Premier League play, ended in 2004 by Wayne Rooney and Manchester United.