Liverpool’s next five Premier League fixtures compared to Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa
Liverpool went top of the Premier League table with a fighting win over Crystal Palace and here are their next fixtures
Liverpool have gone top of the Premier League after fighting back to win 2-1 against 10-man Crystal Palace. Mohamed Salah scored his 200th for the club before Harvey Elliott completed the turnaround.
Initially the Reds were not playing like a side handed the opportunity to jump into first place. There was a lack of intensity in the first half and ultimately were saved from falling behind when referee Andy Madley was instructed to review a foul on Wataru Endo in the build-up to what had been awarded as a Palace penalty.
Eventually the hosts got their breakthrough, again awarded a spot-kick in strange VAR circumstances and Jean-Phillipe Mateta converted.
However there was room for more controversy. Jordan Ayew was shown a second yellow card when he brought down Elliott with a cynical foul. Selhurst Park was stunned and the Reds showed the grit of true title challengers to turn the tide and find their two required goals.
The result elevates Liverpool above Arsenal to the top of the table before any of their rivals have had the opportunity to kick a ball this weekend. Now the onus is on the rest to respond with little separating the teams at the top.
So, with that being said, the ECHO has taken a look at Liverpool and their rivals’ upcoming fixtures over the festive period.
Liverpool
Manchester United (H) – Sunday, December 17: Up next in the league are the Reds’ old rivals, who visit Anfield for the first time since that 7-0 drumming last season. Klopp’s men hold a good advantage asides from form heading into this one, and that comes down to the fact there is not much pressure on Liverpool’s Europa League fixture on Thursday night other than to avoid injuries, whereas United are fighting for their lives in the Champions League just days before this one.
Arsenal (H) – Saturday, December 23: If the standings remain as they are with these two teams in first and second then we may have a very exciting festive clash on our hands in a couple of weeks. Liverpool showed they still had fight left in them when they kicked off their revival last season in this fixture, now with a title potentially on the line they will have to be ready for the challenge of Arsenal.
Burnley (A) – Tuesday, December 26: While others are tucking into leftover Christmas turkey the Boxing Day treat for Klopp and co. this year is a trip to Lancashire. So far Vincent Kompany’s Burnley have failed to rediscover the flair that got them promoted with such ease last season, so the Reds will be needing to take full advantage.
Newcastle (H) – Monday, January 1: Some of Eddie Howe’s injury troubles may have subsided by then however Newcastle should still be without a number of key names when they visit Anfield. This will be the first match of the second half of the season, with the Reds having beaten this opponent 2-1 with 10 men at St. James’ Park back in August.
Bournemouth (A) – Sunday, January 21: A third meeting with Bournemouth is pencilled in for late January. The reason this one takes place so long after their prior league match is due to the scheduling of the FA Cup third round and a winter break for the top-flight.
Arsenal
Aston Villa (A) – Saturday, December 9
Brighton (H) – Sunday, December 17
Liverpool (A) – Saturday, December 23
West Ham (H) – Thursday, December 28
Fulham (A) – Sunday, December 31
Aston Villa
Arsenal (H) – Saturday, December 9
Brentford (A) – Sunday, December 17
Sheffield United (H) – Friday, December 22
Manchester United (A) – Tuesday, December 26
Burnley (H) – Saturday, December 30
Manchester City
Luton Town (A) – Sunday, December 10
Crystal Palace (H) – Saturday, December 16
Everton (A) – Wednesday, December 27
Sheffield United (H) – Saturday, December 30
Newcastle United (A) – Saturday, January 13