While Liverpool prepares to face Newcastle United in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, the true extent of its Premier League lead will be revealed. Currently, the Reds hold a 15-point lead over second-placed Arsenal, having played an extra game due to their earlier match against Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is set to play its game-in-hand against fourth-placed Chelsea on Sunday, aiming to close the gap on Arne Slot’s side. Regardless of whether Liverpool’s lead stands at 12, 14 or 15 points by kick-off against Newcastle, it remains a significant advantage with only nine games remaining.
At present, Arsenal can reach a maximum of 85 points, meaning Liverpool needs just 16 points from its remaining nine matches to secure the title. However, Liverpool’s goal difference is currently much healthier than Arsenal’s, standing at +42 compared to the Gunners’ +28.
With Liverpool now out of the Champions League, fans’ attention will increasingly turn to when the title could be clinched. If both Liverpool and Arsenal continue their winning streaks, Liverpool could mathematically secure the title during the trip to Chelsea on May 3-4. If there are any slip-ups before then, the top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal the following weekend of May 10-11 could prove decisive.
However, there’s a chance that Slot’s men could clinch the league without even stepping onto the pitch. Following its Champions League departure, Liverpool’s full fixture list for April has been revealed.
Arsenal is set to host Fulham on Tuesday April 1, followed by Liverpool welcoming Everton to Anfield on Wednesday April 2. The Gunners then travel to Everton on Saturday April 5 and host Brentford and Crystal Palace on Saturday April 12 and Saturday April 26 respectively – with Liverpool playing the following Sundays away at Fulham and at home against West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
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When Arsenal and Liverpool both play on Sunday April 20, the Gunners will face Ipswich Town in the earlier kick-off, while the Reds head to Leicester City.
If Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad drops points in the upcoming fixtures, it could pave the way for Liverpool to secure the Premier League title before April ends. However, with Arsenal playing first throughout the month, there’s also a chance they could create an insurmountable gap by losing further points before Liverpool even steps onto the pitch.
Liverpool fans will remember how they clinched the Premier League title without even playing back in 2019/20, when Manchester City suffered a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, courtesy of goals from Christian Pulisic and Willian.
In an ideal world, Slot’s men would secure the title on their home turf at Anfield, amidst the cheers of their loyal supporters. But whether the title is won on the road, without a win, or handed to them by Arsenal without even playing, it won’t dampen the spirits of the Reds’ faithful once the celebrations begin.