Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Liverpool look set to be crowned Champions of England (Picture: Getty)
Liverpool remained firmly on course for the Premier League title on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win over Everton at Anfield, but when is the earliest they can officially be declared champions?
Diogo Jota scored the only goal of the game in the final Merseyside derby of the season to give the Reds a 12-point lead at the top of the table again.
Arne Slot’s side have still lost just one league game this season over a thoroughly impressive first campaign in England for the Dutchman.
Arsenal are their closest challengers in second place and have had a good campaign, but look set to fall short again.
Mikel Arteta’s men have finished second to Manchester City in the last two seasons and it looks likely to be their fate again, but with different champions.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
With eight games to play, a 12-point gap would take a miracle to bridge, especially with Arsenal still in the Champions League and Liverpool not.
It looks a certainty that Virgil van Dijk will be lifting the Premier League title soon enough, but just how soon?
Manchester City FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League
Liverpool have been relentless in their title challenge (Picture: Getty Images)
When could Liverpool win the Premier League title?
The earliest date Liverpool could officially be declared Premier League champions is Sunday April 20 when they go away to Leicester City.
For that to happen Liverpool would need to beat Fulham and West Ham in their next two games, with Arsenal losing to Everton and Brentford in their next two outings.
Arsenal would then need to drop points against Ipswich on April 20 and that would give the Reds an unassailable lead.
Liverpool FC v Southampton FC - Premier League
Mohamed Salah has scored 27 Premier League goals this season (Picture: Getty Images)
That does not seem a very likely scenario, however, with the Reds probably going to have to wait a little longer to get the party started.
If Arsenal match Liverpool’s results in the upcoming fixtures then the Reds could win the title away at Chelsea on May 4.
There are many permutations in the coming weeks, but there is also a possibility that Liverpool could win the title at home to Arsenal on May 10.
Liverpool's remaining Premier League fixtures
06 Apr: Fulham (a)
13 Apr: West Ham (h)
20 Apr: Leicester (a)
27 Apr: Spurs (h)
04 May: Chelsea (a)
10 May: Arsenal (h)
18 May: Brighton (a)
25 May: Crystal Palace (h)
Liverpool could still achieve a huge points tally this season, with a total of 97 available if they can win all their remaining games.
97 was only enough to finish second in the 2018/19 season, while their highest total came in 2019/20 when they won the league with 99 points.
Arsenal's remaining Premier League fixtures
05 Apr: Everton (a)
12 Apr: Brentford (h)
20 Apr: Ipswich (a)
26 Apr: Crystal Palace (h)
03 May: Bournemouth (h)
10 May: Liverpool (a)
18 May: Newcastle (h)
25 May: Southampton (a)
Speaking of the run-in ahead of the win over Everton, Slot said: ‘In the final stages of the season, every game matters. Nine finals but it is for every team.
‘These games are very important for us, starting with Everton. Not only because it’s the Merseyside derby but because we’re in such a great position as well.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Speaking back in February Arteta was already being asked if he would concede the title race and made his feelings clear, saying: ‘Over my dead body. If not I will go home. Mathematically it is possible.’
MORE: Gabriel injury update provided by Arsenal star’s wife ahead of Real Madrid clash
MORE: Chelsea vs Tottenham: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injuries
MORE: Man Utd vs Man City: Manchester derby team news, predicted lineups and injuries