London: Through financial turmoil, court battles and humbling setbacks in recent years, Liverpool has risen to the top this season and reached a noteworthy milestone in England.
Ahead of Arsenal on goal difference, the Reds lead the Premier League heading into the traditional Boxing Day games on Thursday.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers says it's a "nostalgic time and people always want to know where the team is at around Christmas Day."
It didn't count for much in 2008 when Liverpool was last in this position. The team still failed to produce the club's first English title since 1990.