Liverpool currently boast a 15-point lead at the top of the Premier League table but have played a game more than Arsenal
By the time Liverpool kick off against Newcastle United in Sunday’s League Cup final, their true lead at the top of the Premier League table will have become clear. The Reds currently enjoy a 15-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal but have played a game more, courtesy of their trip to Aston Villa being brought forward after they booked their trip to Wembley.
Consequently, the Gunners host fourth-placed Chelsea in their game-in-hand on Sunday at 1.30pm as they look to close the gap on Arne Slot’s men.
But whether Liverpool sit 12, 14 or 15 points clear at the top of the table by the time they kick off against Newcastle, it is still a considerable advantage with then nine games left to play.
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As things stand, Arsenal can claim a maximum total of 85 points, with the Reds only needing 16 points from their last nine games to win the title as a result. However, their goal difference is currently a lot healthier than the Gunners’, standing at +42 against their own return of +28.
With Liverpool now out of the Champions League, supporters will grow even more focused on when their side could clinch the title.
If both the Reds and Gunners keep winning, then Liverpool will mathematically be crowned champions the weekend they travel to Chelsea on May 3-4. Should they slip up before then, then their top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal the following weekend of May 10-11 could instead be decisive.
However, it is possible that Slot’s men win the league without even kicking a ball. Following their Champions League exit, the Reds’ fixture list for April is now known in full.
All five of their Premier League fixtures have been selected by Sky Sports, with the broadcasting giant no doubt hoping to capture the moment Liverpool win the title.
But by playing each Sunday throughout the month, Arsenal are in action before the Reds in all five game-weeks during the calendar month.
They host Fulham on Tuesday 1 April before Liverpool welcome Everton to Anfield on Wednesday 2 April, before travelling to Everton on Saturday 5 April and hosting Brentford and Crystal Palace on Saturday 12 April and Saturday 26 April respectively – with the Reds then in action themselves the following Sundays away at Fulham and at home to both West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
And when Arsenal take to the field the same day as Liverpool on Sunday 20 April, they travel to Ipswich Town in the 2pm kick-off before the Reds travel to Leicester City at 4.30pm.
On one hand, that is perhaps a blessing to the Gunners as by playing first, they won’t see the gap grow any bigger before taking to the pitch themselves and can look to apply pressure to Liverpool.
But Arsenal will still face an added pressure of having to keep winning to close the deficit as best they can as they look to avoid suffering further devastating setbacks in their pursuit of the Reds.
So if Mikel Arteta’s side drop points during the aforementioned run of fixtures, then Liverpool will have the opportunity to clinch the title themselves before the end of April.
But with the Gunners always playing first throughout the month, that also opens the door to the possibility of them giving themselves an unassailable deficit by dropping further points before the Reds have even played.
Liverpool won the Premier League without playing back in 2019/20 when Man City lost 2-1 away at Chelsea thanks to goals from Christian Pulisic and Willian as the pair became their unlikely title heroes.
In a dream scenario, Slot’s men clinch the title for themselves by winning at Anfield in front of their own supporters. But even if it’s won on the road, comes without winning or is gifted to them by Arsenal without even playing, it won’t matter to those of a Reds persuasion once their celebrations get underway.
For now, it’s not over yet with it still up in the air when exactly the Premier League title-race will be decided. But one thing is certain, at least. If Liverpool are to end the season as champions, they will get their hands on the Premier League trophy after their last game of the campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday 25 May.