A look at the results of Liverpool’s rivals today shows why there is still hope in the Champions League race. But only if — and it’s a big if — the Reds’ form improves.
Liverpool is 12 points off the top-four places with two games in hand on the teams that sit in third and fourth position in the Premier League table heading into Sunday’s fixtures.
And some of the teams that are currently above them are showing some signs of weakness. That, though, will only matter if Liverpool can put together a run of results for themselves.
No matter what the other sides do, Liverpool can only focus on themselves and find a way of getting some goals and then some wins on the board after a torrid few weeks.
Here is the Liverpool.com take on today’s matches, where several of the Reds’ rivals for the European places showed exactly why there is still plenty of hope of catching them.
Brighton and Brentford drop points
Was this the first sign (or perhaps another sign) that Brighton could drop off before the end of the season? They played well but missed big chances and could only draw with Crystal Palace in a frustrating outing for them.
Brentford’s draw with Arsenal was a lot more pleasing for them than the Seagulls, but should Liverpool beat Everton, the Reds would be three points behind Brighton after 21 matches each, and two behind Thomas Frank’s men with a game in hand.
The European places should certainly be attainable for Liverpool. The question is which competition they can get to and whether the top-four race is beyond them.
Tottenham inconsistent
Spurs beat Manchester City last weekend, and then looked hapless in a heavy defeat to a Leicester that has struggled this season.
Nampalys Mendy, James Maddison, Kelechi Iheanacho and Harvey Barnes all scored in a 4-1 victory for the Foxes and it could easily have been more, with Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga among those to put in poor performances.
Liverpool.com says: Antonio Conte will have been furious, and there were also injury concerns picked up for key midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur. Spurs are possible to overhaul (10 points ahead having played three games more), but Liverpool would need to go on a mammoth run to give themselves a chance.
Newcastle wobbling?
Newcastle United, without the biggest squad in the world, saw Joe Willock go off injured and had to leave Callum Wilson out of their team because of a minor hamstring complaint, as they could only draw with Bournemouth.
Having dropped points against West Ham last week and now having drawn again, that makes it five draws in their last six league matches, with a few signs of a possible wobble.
Liverpool.com says: Playing Liverpool next, in something of a six-pointer should the Reds beat Everton, they could easily be looking over their shoulder again — but that is only the case if the Reds can improve their own performances dramatically. They also have the Carabao Cup final to think about in a fortnight which could be a distraction.
Manchester United, who could only draw with Leeds United at Old Trafford midweek, faces the same side at Elland Road on Sunday, with every other team above Liverpool who has played already this weekend having failed to win, apart from Fulham.
