Liverpool faces a tough end to the 2025/26 Premier League season, with a daunting final run-in to the campaign.
The Reds will hope to have established a healthy lead heading into the last weeks of the campaign, as was the case this season. It meant that fixtures against the likes of Everton, Arsenal and Chelsea proved to be relatively meaningless en route to the the Reds’ title win.
But with the Gunners and Manchester City - Liverpool’s main title rivals - set to strengthen this summer, it might not be quite as straightforward next campaign. With the four fixtures against its key rivals all wrapped up before the middle of February, it means the last months of the campaign won’t have any decisive fixtures between the expected challengers.
Yet the run-in still looks set to be difficult for Arne Slot ’s side, with the final eight matches looking particularly tricky.
It begins with a trip to Brighton in the final game of March (although all fixtures are only provisional at this point). Liverpool has won just one of the last five at the Amex and lost 3-2 to Fabian Huzler’s side in the penultimate match of this season.
Then it’s a home game against Fulham, a side Liverpool failed to beat in either meeting this term. A 2-2 draw at Anfield was followed by a disappointing 3-2 loss at Craven Cottage.
After the Fulham clash, it’s a first game at Everton’s new Hill Dickson Stadium, which will inevitably be a difficult assignment. Slot’s first away match at Everton didn’t go to plan, with an injury-time equalizer from James Tarkowski and three post-match red cards.
Arne Slot arguing with referee Michael Oliver
Arne Slot was given a red card for confronting Michael Oliver after the Merseyside derby in February. (Image: Getty Images)
FA Cup winners Crystal Palace come to Anfield in the last match of April - Liverpool hasn’t won any of the last two home games against the Eagles.
Then things get really interesting in May, which starts with a trip to Old Trafford. It’s difficult to know what challenge Manchester United will pose next season, but as this term showed, even an underpar Red Devils can reach new levels against its old rivals.
Chelsea at home comes after that - could Enzo Maresca’s side even have mounted a title challenge by then?
Darwin Nunez is tackled
Chelsea beat Liverpool in May this season. (Image: AFP or licensors)
The last away game of the season comes at Villa Park. Aston Villa has ended each of the last two seasons pushing for a Champions League spot, so it’s far from an ideal final trip of the term, especially given Unai Emery’s side held the Reds to a 2-2 draw last time out.
After that tricky run, Brentford at home on the final weekend is a slightly kinder fixture, even if Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to offer stiff opposition in the away goal.
Of the final eight opponents in 2025/26, Liverpool dropped points in five of the fixtures this season, so will need to improve in Slot's second term in charge.
Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, has dealt a blow to Liverpool's rivals.
A trip to Villa Park is a nasty last away game. (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool’s provisional 2025/26 Premier League run-in
21 March : Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
11 April : Fulham (H)
18 April : Everton (A)
25 April : Crystal Palace (H)
2 May : Manchester United (A)
9 May : Chelsea (H)
17 May : Aston Villa (A)
24 May : Brentford (H)