The Premier League is taking a break for this and next weekend, but when it returns Liverpool will be bidding to pick up the points that will secure their 20th top-flight title
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Liverpool are closing in on their 20th league title
Liverpool are closing in on their 20th league title(Image: AP)
As Premier League title winning opportunities go this could hardly be a better one for Liverpool, and nor could it be more surprising.
After a long and painful title drought spanning 30 years was finally put to bed by Jurgen Klopp's dominant team in 2020, albeit via a pandemic-induced wait to claim their crown, now they come into the final nine games of Arne Slot's first season in charge with a chance to pick up a second league title in five years.
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No-one predicted this when the Dutchman took over from Klopp in the summer, and so that is why those of a Liverpool persuasion have been determined to look on the bright side despite a Champions League exit and Carabao Cup final loss in recent weeks.
But while they may be 12 points clear at the top, the Reds still need to get over line and finish the job, something that Slot and his players were keen to emphasise after the Wembley loss to Newcastle.
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To do that they are going to have to ward off the threat of Arsenal, who can now reach a maximum of 85 points from their remaining nine games. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, can reach 81, Chelsea 76 and Manchester City 75, but we'll just stick with the Gunners for now as Liverpool's closest challengers.
So the Reds, on 70 points, have a magic number of 16 points from nine games to get in order to secure the title, and that is only if the Gunners win all of their remaining fixtures, which include a May trip to Anfield.
Will that happen? We'll we've mapped out both sides' fixtures and picked out where they are likely to pick up and drop their points over the remainder of the season. Here's how it looks.
April 1: Arsenal vs Fulham, April 2: Liverpool vs Everton
Arsenal were denied by a late VAR decision against Fulham in December
Arsenal were denied by a late VAR decision against Fulham in December
It is Arsenal who are first up when the Premier League returns as they host a Fulham side fresh from their 2-0 win over Spurs. Back in December the Whites held the Gunners to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in one of the results which saw Mikel Arteta's side lose momentum in the title race, with Bukayo Saka denied a late winner by VAR. They'll want revenge, and while it will be a tight contest they should get it.
A Gunners win would cut the gap at the top to nine points ahead of Liverpool hosting Everton in the Merseyside derby the following night. Tensions are likely to be high just seven weeks on from the fiery Goodison Park meeting, but Liverpool tend to get the job done when their host their neighbours at home, even if nerves could be frayed.
Predictions: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0, Liverpool 2 Everton 1
Points: Liverpool 73, Arsenal 61
April 5: Everton vs Arsenal, April 6: Fulham vs Liverpool
Andy Robertson was sent off for Liverpool against Fulham in December
Andy Robertson was sent off for Liverpool against Fulham in December
Coincidentally the two clubs then swap opponents for their weekend fixtures, with Arsenal again going first when they come to Merseyside to face Everton. There is likely to be much talk of David Moyes' side not wanting to do Liverpool a title favour in the game, but with the Gunners set to have more than one eye on their Champions League meeting with Real Madrid the following Tuesday they could find life tough on one of Goodison Park's last big days.
Liverpool are in south west London the following day to take on Fulham, who held the Reds to a 2-2 draw at Anfield this season after an early red card for Andy Robertson. Marco Silva's side are in the mix for European football this season and can give any team a good game, and Arne Slot's men are not going to have it all their own way on the banks of the Thames.
Predictions: Everton 1 Arsenal 1, Fulham 1 Liverpool 1
Points: Liverpool 74, Arsenal 62 (max 83)
April 12: Arsenal vs Brentford, April 13: Liverpool vs West Ham
Liverpool thrashed West Ham 5-0 in December in one of their best performances of the season
Liverpool thrashed West Ham 5-0 in December in one of their best performances of the season
Arsenal go first again the following weekend, with Brentford visiting the Gunners in between the two legs against Real Madrid. The looming presence of the Spanish giants will be something Arteta has to negotiate, but the return of Saka should help with that. The Bees' away form has been superb of late, but you suspect Arsenal will have too much for them.
A day later Liverpool take on a West Ham side they've already scored 10 goals against this season, and although Graham Potter has since replaced Julen Lopetegui, the Hammers have an awful record at Anfield and won't have much to play for at this point. You'd think this should be another three points on the board.
Predictions: Arsenal 3 Brentford 1, Liverpool 2 West Ham 0
Points: Liverpool 77, Arsenal 65
April 20: Ipswich vs Arsenal, Leicester vs Liverpool
Kai Havertz scored the only goal when Arsenal beat Ipswich in December
Kai Havertz scored the only goal when Arsenal beat Ipswich in December
Arsenal go first again as both sides take on sides who are likely to be going down at the end of season, although this time the Gunners kick off just a couple of hours before the Reds when they go to Portman Road. Ipswich put up a decent fight when they visited the Emirates this season, only losing 1-0, but they are likely to fall short again here.
Later that Sunday afternoon Liverpool go to a Leicester side who have looked primed for an immediate return to the Championship all season, with Ruud van Nistelrooy unable to arrest their flagging fortunes since being appointed in December. The Foxes actually look the lead at Anfield on Boxing Day only to lose 3-1, and they could be in for a similar beating here.
Predictions: Ipswich 1 Arsenal 3, Leicester 0 Liverpool 3
Points: Liverpool 80, Arsenal 68
April 26: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace, April 27: Liverpool vs Tottenham
Liverpool scored six at Tottenham in December
Liverpool scored six at Tottenham in December (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace in December was one of the Gunners' best results of the season but also one of their most damaging matches, as they lost Saka to his serious hamstring injury. He should be back by the time Oliver Glasner's men come to the Emirates, and while they are likely to give Arteta's side a good game you'd think home advantage should just win out.
A day later Liverpool host Tottenham at Anfield in a game which could secure the title if just one or two of the above results go slightly differently, but if Arsenal keep up their end of the bargain then the Reds might just have to wait. They smashed six past Spurs in the league in December and four more in the League Cup in February, and more should follow.
Predictions: Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 0, Liverpool 3 Tottenham 1
Points: Liverpool 83, Arsenal 71
May 3: Arsenal vs Bournemouth, May 4: Chelsea vs Liverpool
Curtis Jones scored Liverpool's winner against Chelsea in October
Curtis Jones scored Liverpool's winner against Chelsea in October
Again going first, Arsenal could go into their meeting with Bournemouth knowing that anything but a win would give Liverpool the title there and then. Arteta will be desperate for his side not to end their challenge so limply, and so while the Cherries will present strong opponents the Gunners will be looking to make Liverpool win their own match point.
And that could well come the following day at Stamford Bridge, coincidentally where Liverpool's 2019-20 title was confirmed too, as the Reds take on Enzo Maresca's Chelsea. The Blues were one of Liverpool's toughest opponents at Anfield this season back in October when they threatened a title challenge, but things have dropped off ever since. If all the results go as predicted above then Liverpool will only need a point to be champions, and then they can get the party started with three games still to play.
Predictions: Arsenal 2 Bournemouth 1, Chelsea 2 Liverpool 2
Points: Liverpool 84 (champions), Arsenal 74
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