Liverpool have nine fixtures to beat Arsenal to the Premier League title starting with Everton on Wednesday night
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Bukayo Saka of Arsenal takes on Andy Robertson of Liverpool
Liverpool need to carry on their good work to see off Arsenal in the Premier League title race
(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool take on Everton in a Wednesday night Merseyside derby in the knowledge that they simply must respond to Arsenal. Their rivals returned from the break with a 2-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday, reducing the points gap in the title race to nine.
Approaching a month since the last time they played in the Premier League, Liverpool's absence has hardly damaged their chances of lifting the title this season. Though admittedly, it must still be seen how the Reds have overcome their Champions League elimination and Carabao Cup final defeat in the space between league duties, especially as those have been allowed to stew over the recent international break.
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It would truly have to come down to a severe loss of confidence springing a monumental collapse on their part if Arsenal are going to be fully allowed back into the picture during what remains of the run-in.
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But the truth of the matter is this - head-to-head records favour Liverpool over Arsenal in their final matches this season.
Yet to play this midweek, that honour coming in the form of Wednesday night's Merseyside derby, the Reds have nine fixtures to go before they complete their set.
Looking back on reverse fixtures, the upcoming two of those nine against Everton and Fulham both ended in 2-2 draws. If following the same pattern then pressure could quickly mount.
But under those same rules, West Ham are visitors to Anfield afterwards - a team that Arne Slot got the better of 5-0 at the London Stadium and in a Carabao Cup home meeting won 5-1 last September.
Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in that order were also all beat earlier in the season when they previously challenged Liverpool.
The Reds vs Arsenal at Anfield is the third-from-last match scheduled with that reverse fixture ending 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium, then finally matches against Brighton and Crystal Palace close out the season. Both opponents were dispatched previously.
So, in a repeat of results from the reverse fixtures Liverpool would take 21 points of their available 27 points. Their end total would be 91 points.
Meanwhile Arsenal, sitting on 61 points as things stand after beating Fulham, have 24 to play for and a nine-point deficit to make up.
As Everton's next opponents, they could only get a goalless draw the last time they met. That is followed by a run of three against Brentford, Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace - all of which the Gunners beat in the last meetings.
But then come Bournemouth - an opponent they suffered a devastating loss to at the Vitality Stadium in the reverse fixture when defender William Saliba was sent off.
After this is the trip to Anfield to play Liverpool, which as stated previously ended in a 2-2 stalemate at the Emirates Stadium last October.
And to follow is the visit of Newcastle United to north London. Three times the Gunners have taken on Eddie Howe's men this term - once in the league at St. James' Park and twice across a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final - and on all occasions they have lost.
Repeats of previous results would truly derail Mikel Arteta's title dreams for 2024/25.
Southampton are their final fixture, beating them 3-1 previously, as Arsenal would officially take 14 points from the remaining 24 available and end the season with a total of 75.
So, that makes Slot's message to his players clear and obvious looking at the run-in - 'keep on doing what you are doing and you will become champions'.