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

Michael Thomas of Arsenal (right) defeats goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar (centre) of Liverpool to score their second title-clinching goal in 1988/89

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

Kenny Dalglish became Liverpool manager at the start of the 1985/86 season at just 24 years old

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

Liverpool manager Bob Paisley embraces Ian Callaghan after winning the European Cup

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's Kevin Keegan takes on QPR's Dave Clement in 1975

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's Emlyn Hughes in 1974

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

Liverpool's Ian Callaghan against Tottenham in 1967

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

Goalmouth action as Chelsea play Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in 1947

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

Liverpool captain Alex Raisbeck in 1901

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.

CHRISTMAS DAY LEAGUE POSITION: 2nd

FINAL LEAGUE POSITION: 1st

MANAGER: Tom Watson

TOP GOALSCORER: Sam Raybould (18)