Liverpool fixtures compared to rivals Arsenal as the Premier League title race truly kickstarts after the international break
Comments
Sport
Liverpool FC players line up
Liverpool have nine more matches to secure the 2024/25 Premier League title
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool will already be looking beyond the international break toward the upcoming Premier League title run-in. Holding a 12-point advantage over Arsenal with nine games to go, the next two months will be make or break for Arne Slot's side.
Arriving back to club action at this stage of any season is often viewed as the true starting point of any title race. If you're in with a good mathematical shot, the trophy is there to be contended for and this season it is Liverpool who have been the standard bearers.
Article continues below
Losing only once all season back in September, they cannot afford to allow the disappointment of Champions League elimination and Carabao Cup final defeat to creep in with that in the past. There also appear to be new injuries to contend with, suffered both before and during the break.
READ MORE: Everton and Liverpool to 'discuss' transfer window change with Premier League clubsREAD MORE: Arne Slot in 'direct contact' to secure Liverpool transfer amid Milos Kerkez update
Nine matches, at the end of them lying a poignant 20th English top-flight title in Liverpool's history. The ECHO analyses the most immediate matches upon the restart next week.
Liverpool next five fixtures
April 2 vs Everton (H) at 8pm - Premier League
Possibly the most difficult of the fixtures to come given the added weight a Merseyside derby holds for both clubs, the Reds will be looking for a response to the two setbacks prior to the break. This will be another significant first for Slot in English football, facing Everton at home.
April 6 vs Fulham (A) at 2pm - Premier League
An away trip to Fulham follows. Marco Silva's side have proven themselves resourceful against teams higher in the division - they even got a 2-2 draw out of the reverse fixture in December when Andy Robertson was sent off after 17 minutes. Another afternoon like that would be disastrous.
April 13 vs West Ham (H) at 2pm - Premier League
A West Ham team that Liverpool have beaten 5-1 in the Carabao Cup and 5-0 in the league reverse fixture come to Anfield once again. This time they do so under manager Graham Potter, who has started his new job with relative comfort.
April 20 vs Leicester City (A) at 4.30pm - Premier League
Relegation fighters Leicester City are still on the Reds' list which could mark a good opportunity for Slot to demand his team boost their goal difference as much as possible. On the other hand, it might end up being one of the trickiest games to navigate as the Foxes aim to stave off their all-but certain fate for at least one more week, at least if they aren't already mathematically down by this point.
April 27 vs Tottenham (H) at 4.30pm - Premier League
Another opponent who have come to Anfield already this season in cup competition but now do so in the Premier League, Tottenham start a difficult run for the Reds from late April onwards. Ange Postecoglou's side were beaten 4-0 in February but should have more key starters available than they did back then as their injuries clear up.
Arsenal next five fixtures
April 1 vs Fulham (H) at 7.45pm - Premier League
April 5 vs Everton (A) at 12.30pm - Premier League
April 12 vs Brentford (H) at 5.30pm - Premier League
April 20 vs Ipswich Town (A) at 2pm - Premier League
April 26 vs Crystal Palace (H) at 5.30pm - Premier League
It is worth noting that the Gunners still have the distraction of the Champions League and have been handed one of the most difficult quarter-final ties imaginable, against Real Madrid.
Their home leg is taking place on Tuesday, April 8 - therefore between the Everton and Brentford Premier League fixtures - and the away leg follows Brentford on Wednesday, April 16 - days before they play Ipswich Town.