Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League has been cut down to two points after another fascinating weekend.
In the end, Arne Slot and his players will be happy with how things have panned out over the last 24 or so hours - especially given what they were facing up to after just 20 minutes against Fulham.
They showed great resilience to claim a 2-2 draw after Andy Robertson’s red card, and they were rewarded by Arsenal and Manchester City once again failing to capitalize. The Gunners’ goalless draw with Everton means they remain six points off the pace, while City’s downfall continues as they now lie nine points behind, and even find themselves outside of the top four.
Chelsea though made no such mistake as they picked up yet another win over Brentford to take them within just two points of Liverpool now. The Reds of course still have a game in hand after the postponed Merseyside derby, but there’s no doubt they’ll be glancing over their shoulders a bit more over the next few games.
Liverpool
22 December: Tottenham (A)
26 December: Leicester (H)
29: December: West Ham (A)
5 January: Manchester United (H)
14 January: Nottingham Forest (A)
After Wednesday’s trip to Southampton in the Carabao Cup, Liverpool’s next league outing does not look easy at all. You never know what you’re going to get from Tottenham, but the Reds will know Ange Postecoglou’s side carries plenty of threat.
Liverpool will be expected to take all three points against Leicester on Boxing Day, and the same goes for West Ham, even if it is an away game. Manchester United may have beaten City, but they still look a work in progress under Ruben Amorim, while Slot will be eyeing up some revenge against Forest after the FA Cup tie against Accrington Stanley.
Chelsea
22 December: Everton (A)
26 December: Fulham (H)
30 December: Ipswich (A)
4 January: Crystal Palace (A)
14 January: Bournemouth (H)
Chelsea is the biggest threat to Liverpool right now, and the Reds wouldn’t mind an early Christmas present from their Merseyside neighbors next weekend. Fulham have shown they’re not to be taken lightly either, so there might be some hope that the Blues could falter soon.
They will be expected to beat Ipswich and Crystal Palace, although the latter does seem to be picking up some form after a tough start, while Bournemouth is a tough test, although Enzo Maresca’s side should do the business at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal
21 December: Crystal Palace (A)
27 December: Ipswich (H)
1 January: Brentford (A)
4 January : Brighton (A)
15 January: Tottenham (H)
Arsenal is still clearly a threat, but Mikel Arteta’s side is not doing themselves any favors with some poor dropped points recently. Crystal Palace away looks a lot trickier now for a side that is very hit and miss in front of goal.
A win against Ipswich will be expected, but then it’s a tricky set of fixtures as they travel to Brentford and Brighton before hosting Spurs. Any more dropped points here, and Arsenal may well be staring down the barrel.
Man City
21 December: Aston Villa (A)
26 December: Everton (H)
29 December: Leicester (A)
4 January: West Ham (H)
14 Janaury: Brentford (A)
What on earth has happened to City? Given the way they’re going at the moment, it now wouldn’t be a surprise if they went on to lose all five of these games.
Aston Villa away is certainly not a kind fixture for them given the way things are going, although they do have the advantage of a free midweek given they are already out of the Carabao Cup. Ordinarily, you would look at the other four games and expect City to come away with maximum points, but it would be a brave person that backs them at the moment.
Liverpool will just have to focus on its own games - they are, after all, still in the driving seat, even if their advantage is now what it was a couple of weeks ago. If they can increase that two-point advantage at the end of this five-game run, they will be firm favorites for the title.