Liverpool went into the March international break 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal. The Reds are marching towards their first Premier League title since 2020 and only their second since 1992.
However, Arsenal refuse to give up the chase, with manager Mikel Arteta remaining adamant that they would fight until their last breath to catch up and overtake the Reds.
Easier said than done, but stranger things have happened in the beautiful game. Also, the pair will meet on May 10, offering Arsenal an opportunity to snatch crucial points from Arne Slot’s men.
This scenario prompts a pertinent question: Does Arsenal’s trip to Anfield still hold significant importance in the title race?
Whether it matters in the title race or not, a showdown between Arsenal and Liverpool is always a cracking watch.
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Liverpool’s dominance this season
Even the most clairvoyant pundit could not have seen Liverpool challenging for the Premier League title immediately after the departure of nine-year head coach Jurgen Klopp.
With his big personality, the German tactician filled the Liverpool dugout and oversaw the Reds through a hugely successful spell. The transition to a new coach was not expected to go this smoothly.
However, Arne Slot arrived and swiftly imprinted his ideas on the squad, immediately turning the Reds into a lethal decimation machine.
Last season, Liverpool’s defence wilted towards the end of the campaign, but they have found a new resolve. The Reds have the best defensive record in the Premier League this term.
In midfield, Liverpool failed with a move for Real Sociedad anchor Martin Zubimendi, a year after failing with transfer swoops for Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo – an indictment on the top brass.
Slot didn’t care. He converted Ryan Gravenberch to a holding midfielder with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister ahead of him.
Slot has also brought out the best of Mohamed Salah, who is on course to break the record for most goal contributions in a Premier League season.
Liverpool won their first three games of the season before suffering a shock loss to Nottingham Forest at Anfield. That defeat was just the spark they needed in their backside.
The Reds are unbeaten in their 25 league games since then, winning 18 and drawing seven. They have established a solid lead in the league and will take some beating.
With the UEFA Champions League and League Cup out of the way, Liverpool can focus their attention on the Premier League as they bid to close it out sooner rather than later.
They need six wins from their final nine games to seal the deal.
Arsenal’s pursuit and challenges
After putting up an impressive fight with Manchester City for the Premier League title two seasons in a row, Arsenal were determined to end their 21-year wait for a league trophy.
Unfortunately, it has not been smooth sailing for the North Londoners, with injuries and inconsistencies blighting their challenge this season.
They have dropped crucial points against West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham, Everton, and Forest, leaving them to rue their mistakes.
Injuries to key players like Ben White, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Riccardo Calafiori, and Bukayo Saka have not helped their cause.
A 1-0 win over Chelsea before the international break halted a disappointing run of three league games without a victory.
Even the win over the hapless Blues was not a vintage Arsenal performance by any standard. The Gunners did just about enough against the disjointed and disappointing West Londoners.
Arteta hopes his side can find their mojo, close the gap over the next few games and pile the pressure against a Liverpool side that has shown signs of vulnerabilities.
They recently lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Newcastle United in the League Cup.
Arsenal will believe they can secure results in their coming games against Fulham, Everton, Brentford, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth, potentially causing the Reds to stumble as they look over their shoulders.
Also, the Liverpool injury list keeps growing. Defender Ibrahima Konate and goalkeeper Alisson Becker picked up knocks on international duty.
Gravenberch also pulled out of the Netherlands squad and might join Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley on the treatment table.
The significance of the Anfield encounter
Should Liverpool maintain or extend their lead in the coming fixtures, they could potentially secure the Premier League title before the May 10 encounter.
They have Everton, Fulham, West Ham, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea before the Arsenal visit. The Reds, on their day, can win every one of those games, but their derailed momentum might see them struggle.
Conversely, the Anfield clash could reignite the title race if Arsenal embark on a winning streak and Liverpool falter.
As it stands, Liverpool need 18 more points to guarantee the championship, making each game, including the one against Arsenal, pivotal.
Beyond the arithmetic, the psychological impact of this fixture cannot be understated.
A victory for Arsenal at Anfield would challenge Liverpool’s home dominance and bolster the Gunners’ morale, potentially influencing performances in the remaining matches.
For Liverpool, securing a win against a traditional rival would reinforce their supremacy and edge them closer to the title. Fans cannot afford to miss this epic showpiece.
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Does Arsenal’s trip to Anfield matter
Liverpool might struggle against their arch-rivals Everton, resurgent under David Moyes.
They could find it difficult at Stamford Bridge against a Chelsea side that cannot buy a win against a top-six side not named Tottenham.
However, the truth is that Liverpool practically have one hand on the title. They are almost home and dry. They should have everything to see this one out despite the challenge from Arsenal.
Liverpool would have to lose at least three games to give Arsenal a chance at making that meeting at Anfield count for something. The Reds will be more determined than before not to concede defeat.
And even if they do, Arsenal haven’t been firing on all cylinders and would struggle to maintain the consistency required to chase Liverpool down and overtake them. The Gunners don’t have it in them.
If Liverpool lose two or three games between now and May 10, Arsenal will have their tails up, but it is hard to see the Reds losing steam so badly.
This title is theirs to lose, and they will be desperate to hoist the trophy at the end of the season.
