Arne Slot has suggested that Liverpool’s next two games could be the key to winning the Premier League title as the Reds prepare for tricky trips to Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Liverpool is of course in the driving seat in this season’s title race, which has effectively become a two-horse affair with Arsenal the only likely challenger now. The Gunners sit seven points behind the Reds ahead of another crucial week, with the next nearest side – Nottingham Forest – a further six points back.
Slot’s team can extend that advantage to 10 points on Wednesday, although that will be easier said than done. In fact, the next two outings look to be two of the toughest remaining tests for Liverpool to face as it heads to Villa Park before making the short journey to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Reds weren’t too convincing either in their 2-1 win over Wolves at the weekend, having conceded a last-minute equalizer at Everton a few days earlier, which does add to the nerves surrounding these upcoming games. Slot though feels if his side can overcome Villa and City, it will be advantage Liverpool.
“So these two games we are going to play now have already been played by Arsenal – Villa away and City away,” Slot said. “Then we can make a difference in the upcoming two games. If not, then we are on equal terms because we have played a lot of similar games and there are still 11 games to go.
“The positive thing is that, after these two games, we’ve got seven home games and four away. And we all know how much Anfield can help us. Whatever the result is from the upcoming two games, we do know that seven home and four away afterwards.”
Liverpool faces a Villa side pushing to earn another spot in the Champions League next season, with Unai Emery’s side currently six points Manchester City in fourth. Villa hopes it’s push to remain at Europe’s top table will be aided by Marcus Rashford, who has a point to prove after joining on loan from Manchester United. Despite being cast aside by Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, Slot is wary of what the England international could do tomorrow.
“As you see sometimes when a new manager comes in, certain players start to play much better,” Slot said. “You also see this sometimes when players go to different clubs. You mention Rashford now but Antony isn’t doing bad at Betis too.
“I’ve always said that United have a lot of quality players for a number of years now. Some of them show it at United now and some of them show it somewhere else. But Rashford is one of the best attackers that England has in my opinion, if he plays to his ability.”