Liverpool were expected to just have to turn up to topple their arch-rivals on Sunday afternoon, and perhaps Manchester United’s vast improvement caught them off guard.
The Red Devils were more than competitive at Anfield and more than deserved their point. As a result, Liverpool did not manage to take advantage of it Arsenal’s draw against Brighton on Saturday. Their lead at the top is six points after having played a game less – a margin small enough to suggest the race is still on with plenty of season left.
Here’s how they’re coming Premier League schedules compared to Arsenal’s.
Liverpool have a Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham and an FA Cup tie with Accrington Stanley to think about before they are next in the Premier League.
Slott’s side have a string of tough days away from home against sides that have punched above their weight so far this season. Mid-week trip to Nottingham Forest under the lights at the City Ground could be one of the toughest games left on their domestic calendar. Nuna Espirito Santa’s team is third in the table, which ended 2024 with five consecutive victories.
They are also the only team to beat Liverpool in the Premier League this season.
A visit to Gtech in West London arrives four days later, with Brentford flourished as one of the most successful home teams in the division. However, Thomas Frank’s side lost their previous two home games against Forest and Arsenal.
The league leaders are expected to take some comfort in facing the relegation-threatened duo Ipswich and Wolves at Anfield between ventures south to Bournemouth February 1. The Cherries have already beaten Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham at home this season.
|
Start date and time (GMT) |
Fixture |
|---|---|
|
14/01/25 – 20:00 |
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool |
|
18/01/25 – 14:00 |
Brentford v Liverpool |
|
25/01/25 – 15:00 |
Liverpool v Ipswich |
|
01/02/25 – 15:00 |
Bournemouth vs Liverpool |
|
16/02/25 – 14:00 |
Liverpool vs Wolves |
ArsenalThe margin for error has long been slim and they could be out of the title hunt if Liverpool play out wins in test environments over the next few weeks.
The Gunners are 13 games unbeaten after drawing at Brighton, but a long run of wins is needed to potentially close the gap.
They too have the Carabao Cup semi-final to think about, and Mikel Arteta would be wise to prioritize those two meetings with Newcastle. An FA Cup third round tie against Man Utd isn’t exactly a gift either despite the Red Devils’ woes.
Arteta’s squad has been significantly weakened by Bukaya Saka’s hamstring injury, and fans will want to have a few attacking reinforcements in the door by the end of the month. Before that, of course, Arsenal is visiting Tottenham in the North London derby triumphing 1-0 in N17.
An Aston Villa teams with several key injuries then travel to the Emirates three days later. The Villans won 2-0 in north London last season to thwart Arsenal’s title bid.
Arteta’s side are also taking on a potentially resurgent side Manchester City team in early February securing a rare victory over Pep Guardiola’s side in October 2023. As a result of their horrific slump at the end of 2024, City are competing for a top-four finish rather than a fifth consecutive title.
It is important to note that Arsenal’s most difficult upcoming games are at home. They don’t travel to the Premier League again until January 25 when they kick off Wolves. After visiting City, the Gunners travel to Leicester at the beginning of Saturday’s start.
|
Start date and time (GMT) |
Fixture |
|---|---|
|
15/01/25 – 20:00 |
Arsenal vs Tottenham |
|
18/01/25 – 17:30 |
Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
|
25/01/25 – 15:00 |
Wolves vs Arsenal |
|
02/02/25 – 16:30 |
Arsenal vs Man City |
|
15/02/25 – 12:30 |
Leicester vs Arsenal |
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