Liverpool were expected to just have to show up on Sunday afternoon to topple their great rivals and perhaps Manchester United’s marked improvement has taken them by surprise.
The Red Devils were more than competitive at Anfield and more than deserved their point. As a result, Liverpool failed to take advantage of Arsenal’s draw at Brighton on Saturday. Their lead at the top is six points, having played one less game – a margin small enough to suggest there is still a race to come, with plenty of time left before the season.
Here’s how their upcoming Premier League games compare to Arsenal’s.
Liverpool have a Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham and an FA Cup clash with Accrington Stanley to think about before heading to the Premier League next.
Slot’s side have endured a series of difficult away days against teams who have punched above their weight so far this season. A midweek trip to Nottingham Forest under the lights at the City Ground could well be one of the toughest games on their domestic calendar. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team is in third place in the table and has ended 2024 with five wins in a row.
They are also the only team to beat Liverpool in the Premier League this season.
Four days later a visit to Gtech in west London follows Brentford developed into one of the best performing home teams in the division. However, Thomas Frank’s side have lost their last two home games against Forest and Arsenal.
The league leaders are expected to enjoy some consolation when they face the relegation-threatened duo Ipswich And Wolves at Anfield Road, a trip south in between Bournemouth on February 1st. The Cherries have already beaten Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham on home soil this season.
Date and kick-off time (GMT) | device |
|---|---|
01/14/25 – 8:00 p.m | Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool |
01/18/25 – 2:00 p.m | Brentford vs Liverpool |
01/25/25 – 3:00 p.m | Liverpool vs Ipswich |
02/01/25 – 3:00 p.m | Bournemouth vs Liverpool |
02/16/25 – 2:00 p.m | Liverpool vs Wolves |
Arsenal’s margin for error has long been slim and if Liverpool pick up victories in testing environments over the next few weeks, the team may be out of the title hunt.
The Gunners are unbeaten in 13 games after the draw at Brighton but will need a longer winning streak to potentially close the gap.
They also have a Carabao Cup semi-final to consider and Mikel Arteta would be wise to prioritize these two meetings with Newcastle. The duel in the third round of the FA Cup against Man Utd is not exactly a stroke of luck despite the Red Devils’ problems.
Arteta’s squad has been significantly weakened by Bukayo Saka’s hamstring tear and fans will want a few reinforcements in attack by the end of the month. Before that, however, host Arsenal Tottenham in the North London Derby after winning 1-0 in N17.
A Aston Villa The team, with some serious injuries, then visits the Emirates three days later. The Villans won 2-0 in north London last season to deny Arsenal’s title hunt.
Arteta’s side also take on a potentially resurgent team Manchester City City had secured a rare victory over Pep Guardiola’s side in early February, following on from a rare victory over Pep Guardiola’s side in October 2023. The terrible slump at the end of 2024 means City are fighting for a place in the top four rather than a fifth successive title.
Importantly, Arsenal’s toughest upcoming games are at home. They are not back on the road in the Premier League until January 25th when they face each other Wolves. After welcoming City, the Gunners travel to Leicester in an early Saturday opener.
Date and kick-off time (GMT) | device |
|---|---|
01/15/25 – 8:00 p.m | Arsenal vs Tottenham |
01/18/25 – 5:30 p.m | Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
01/25/25 – 3:00 p.m | Wolves vs Arsenal |
02/25/25 – 4:30 p.m | Arsenal vs Man City |
02/15/25 – 12:30 p.m | Leicester vs Arsenal |