This weekend sees the much welcome return of Premier League following the international break, and it all kicks off on Saturday lunchtime with one of the biggest games of the season.
Arsenal host Liverpool in a pivotal fixture as the race for the top four reaches crunch time, and for the visitors it couldn’t be more crucial; it could ultimately define their season.
Following an inconsistent start to the campaign, Liverpool had put together a superb unbeaten run that had put them back in contention for Champions League qualification. Heading into their previous game against fierce rivals Manchester United, they had the chance to overtake Louis van Gaal’s side and assert their dominance on fourth spot for the remainder of the season. But that didn’t quite go to plan.
A crucial defeat at the hands of the Red Devils now leaves them five points adrift, and by close of play on Saturday the gap could well have increased to eight. With just seven games to go from then, that would appear the end of their top four hopes.
So in reality, their trip to the Emirates really is make or break for Brendan Rodgers and his side. While defeat would leave Arsenal nine points clear, United should also be able to capitalise as they face Aston Villa at home in a game they are expected to win. And despite a difficult run of fixtures thereafter, should results go their way, you would expect them to have enough to see out the remainder of the season and seal a top-four spot with an eight-point cushion to play with.
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It would be a huge blow for Liverpool were they to lose this weekend. Having put together that long unbeaten run they would have felt confident in a second successive Champions League appearance, but to miss out would be seen as a failure; particularly after last season’s success.
They made an awful hash of the group stages this year; and failure to make it there once again could have a significant result.
Having been unable to replace their star man Luis Saurez sufficiently, this will prove an even harder task considering they will be unable to offer the prospect of Champions League football. Will the top quality players really want to come to a club that can’t offer this? It’s unlikely.
And as for their current players; they may also be problems. The future of Raheem Sterling appears far from straightforward and reports that he won’t consider his future until the end of the season are worrying. Will he be looking for a move should they fail to reach the Champions League? It’s certainly a possibility. Losing Sterling would be unthinkable for the club, but it’s not out of the question.
They certainly have the ability to go the Emirates and win this weekend. And it wouldn’t be a surprise. Do that and the pressure is firmly back on both Arsenal and Man United, who will know any slip ups could be crucial. A positive result for Liverpool would put them in a fantastic position considering their remaining fixtures.
Aside from a trip to Chelsea, their other fixtures look as straightforward as they could hope for, and they will fancy their chances of picking up maximum points during the run in. And that could be enough providing they don’t lose this weekend.
The sides played out a draw in the reverse fixture at Anfield, and it would be no surprise to see a repeat on Saturday. While it wouldn’t be ideal for the visitors they would still be just about in with a shout of their achieving their target. But anything less and the disappointment etched on the faces of the fans, players and manager will be clear to see.
We’re all set for a cracking encounter and just how it pans out is anybody’s guess. It could well go either way but for Liverpool it’s make or break.
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