The 0-0 draw between Manchester City and Arsenal last Sunday at the Etihad left Liverpool at the top of the league, and the race for the Premier League title even more balanced. The Reds are in the lead with nine games remaining, after beating Brighton 2-1 at home.
Jurgen Klopp remains on course for a great end to the campaign at Anfield Road, having taken advantage of the draw between the other two rivals. The Reds have the relative comfort of hosting bottom-placed Sheffield United during the week, before visiting Manchester United next weekend, just a few weeks after the exciting clash between the two teams for the FA Cup.
A local derby against Everton could also be complicated, in addition to clashes with Tottenham and Aston Villa, two teams fighting for access to the Champions League.
Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City may not have lived up to expectations, but a 0-0 draw at the Etihad leaves the Premier League title race even more evenly matched.
Liverpool are the new leaders with nine games remaining after recovering from a goal conceded against Brighton after just 85 seconds to win 2-1 on Sunday.
AFP Sports looks at where each of the competitors stand and how their final runs compare.
Liverpool – 67 points Jurgen Klopp remains on course for a fairytale ending to his time at Anfield as the Reds capitalized on the points lost to their title rivals.
Liverpool had to work against Brighton as one of the contenders to succeed Klopp, Roberto De Zerbi, caused the German a lot of problems once again.
But for the first time in five meetings, Klopp got the better of the Italian, thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
The Reds have the relative comfort of hosting bottom-placed Sheffield United during the week before their home stretch intensifies with another visit to Manchester United next weekend.
Just three weeks ago, Liverpool’s quest for a quadruple was ended in thrilling fashion at Old Trafford as United won 4-3 after extra time in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
A local derby away to Everton could also be tricky, as they face Champions League contenders Tottenham and Aston Villa in two of their last three games.
What Liverpool still needs to play:
April 4: Sheffield United (Home)
April 7: Manchester United (Away)
April 14: Crystal Palace (Home)
April 20: Fulham (Away)
April 24: Everton (Away)
April 27: West Ham (Away)
May 4: Tottenham (Home)
May 11: Aston Villa (Away)
May 19: Wolves (Home)
Arsenal saw their run of eight wins ended at the Etihad, but a point was still enough to show the great strides Mikel Arteta’s team made in the last 12 months. A year ago, Arsenal were massacred 4-1 away from home by City, which subsequently led to the loss of the championship to Guardiola’s men
The Gunners host Lutton next Wednesday, but a series of difficult away games await the London team, with trips to Tottenham, Manchester United, Brighton and Wolves.
What Arsenal still needs to play:
April 3: Luton (Home)
April 6: Brighton (Away)
April 14: Aston Villa (Home)
April 20: Wolves (Away)
April 23: Chelsea (Home)
April 28: Tottenham (Away)
May 4: Bournemouth (Home)
May 11: Manchester United (Away)
April 19: Everton (Home)
Finally, Manchester City seeks to achieve the historic feat of becoming the first English team to become national champions four times in a row. But Pep Guardiola admitted that his team is now third favorite, as they need ‘help’ from both Liverpool and Arsenal in the final stretch.
The current champions host Aston Villa, currently fourth, next Wednesday. Until the end, the ‘cityzens’ will still have important meetings against Tottenham, Manchester United and Brighton, which could be decisive in City’s aspirations in the fight for the ‘tetra’.
What Manchester City has left to play for:
April 3: Aston Villa (Home)
April 6: Crystal Palace (Away)
April 13: Luton (Home)
April 25: Brighton (Away)
April 28: Nottingham Forest (Away)
May 4: Wolves (Home)
May 11: Fulham (Away)
May 19: West Ham (Home)
To be confirmed: Tottenham (Away)
April 4: Sheffield United (Home)
April 7: Manchester United (Away)
April 14: Crystal Palace (Home)
April 20: Fulham (Away)
April 24: Everton (Away)
April 27: West Ham (Away)
May 4: Tottenham (Home)
May 11: Aston Villa (Away)
May 19: Wolves (Home)
Tags: Threeway fight Premier League whats left play Liverpool Arsenal Manchester City Premier League
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