5 Key fixtures for Liverpool in their Premier League title challenge
With 26 games gone, Liverpool FC leads the Premier League table this season by the barest of margins. They are one point above Manchester City, who have won the last three titles in a row, and two points above Arsenal.
The Reds have won 18, drawn six and lost two games in the league this season, with incidentally both defeats coming in North London. They lost 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur and 3-1 at Arsenal.
Jurgen Klopp has announced that he is set to leave the club at the end of the season. Hence, everyone associated with the club will be looking to make it special. Liverpool have already won the Carabao Cup and are in contention for the FA Cup and the UEFA Europa League as well.
In the Premier League, meanwhile, they can ill afford to lose points with the title race so tight between three teams. However, there are five fixtures the Reds arguably must win, or at least not lose, if they are to win the title.
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Let’s take a look at them:
Manchester City | Anfield
Liverpool will host Manchester City, who are just a point behind them in the table, at Anfield on Sunday, March 10. This match could be a potential title decider as it has been in recent years.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Etihad in the reverse fixture on November 25. Erling Haaland scored for City but Trent Alexander-Arnold cancelled it to earn his side a point.
The winner of this game will certainly be the favourite to go on to win the title.
Manchester United | Old Trafford
Manchester United may not be the most dominant team in English football in recent years but their rivalry with Liverpool remains fierce. The Red Devils will host the Merseysiders on April 7.
United are currently sixth in the table, eight points behind top four. They may need three points to remain in contention for Champions League spots and will certainly battle hard against Liverpool.
The reverse fixture at Anfield ended in a goalless draw on December 17.
Tottenham Hotspur | Anfield
One of the most controversial games of the season saw Tottenham Hotspur beat Liverpool 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 30.
The Reds saw Curtis Jones sent off for a dangerous tackle. They then had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside due to an incredibly poor mistake by the VAR.
Son Heung-min then scored for Spurs before Cody Gakpo equalized for the visitors.
Liverpool were dealt another blow as Diogo Jota was sent off in the 69th minute after receiving two yellow cards. They held on with nine men until the 95th minute before Joel Matip’s own goal gave Tottenham all three points.
Tottenham will now visit Anfield on May 4. Spurs are fifth in the table, five points behind Aston Villa with a game in hand. They will be pushing hard for the fourth spot and will look to put up a challenge to Jurgen Klopp’s side.
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Aston Villa | Villa Park
Liverpool will travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa on May 11.
Villa are fighting for a top-four spot and are currently in pole position for the same. Moreover, they have largely been excellent at their home despite recent failings. They beat Arsenal, and Manchester City at Villa Park earlier this season.
The Reds beat Aston Villa 3-0 at Anfield on September 3. Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah scored for the hosts, with Matty Cash getting an own goal.
This fixture could be a tricky one for Jurgen Klopp’s side with both clubs desperate for points and the pressure of being one of the last three games of the season.
Everton | Goodison Park
Liverpool FC were supposed to face off against Everton in the Merseyside derby in March itself. However, it has been postponed due to the Reds reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Manchester United at Old Trafford.
As per reports, the Merseyside derby could be pushed to the final week of the season, which adds immense pressure on both sides. The derby is already fiercely fought despite Liverpool’s dominance in the overall results.
Everton are 15th in the table, five points above the relegation zone after their punishment was reduced to six points from 10 due to financial issues. However, they are still being investigated for one more charge by the Premier League. The result for the same will be announced soon.
It could have serious implications for the Toffees in the relegation battle. They are likely to be desperate for points when they face Liverpool, which would make it a tough fixture for the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp’s side won 2-0 in the reverse fixture on October 21 courtesy of a brace from Mohamed Salah. Ashley Young was sent off in the clash after receiving two yellow cards.