If Liverpool wins its final nine Premier League matches of the season, it will win the title. That, clearly, would be the dream scenario as Jürgen Klopp’s tenure at Anfield draws to a close.
The Reds’ opponents are as follows: Sheffield United (H), Manchester United (A), Crystal Palace (H), Fulham (A), Everton (A), West Ham (A), Spurs (H), Aston Villa (A), and Wolves (H). Compared to Manchester City and Arsenal, it is perhaps a favorable run-in.
More importantly, though, Liverpool does not have the Champions League this season. It will face Atalanta in the Europa League but that does not compare to playing Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
Manchester City and Arsenal, who drew 0-0 at the Etihad Stadium just after Liverpool had beaten Brighton, could yet play one another in the semi-finals of Europe’s top competition. That would be a big spanner in the works for the pair, who are competing alongside the Reds at the summit.
Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta’s side could not be separated in a major boost for the chances of Klopp’s fairytale ending coming true. That means that Liverpool is now two points clear of Arsenal and four clear of Manchester City. It has a lead to hold onto.
And that is in contrast to most of the occasions that Liverpool and Manchester City have gone head-to-head in the Premier League. Usually, the Reds have had to hope for a slip from Guardiola’s side. That never usually comes.
That means that Liverpool cannot afford to drop points itself — at least not until each of the other teams has already done so — but Klopp’s men are at least in a dream scenario. Had you asked anyone during the dismal periods of last season whether or not Liverpool would find itself where it currently does, they would simply have laughed.
Klopp has transformed the side to such an extent that he feels comfortable enough to depart and leave the task of taking it to the next level to someone else. Before that, though, there is a Premier League trophy to be won.
