When Liverpool take to the field against Arsenal on Wednesday night, they will do so looking to narrow the gap on Man City at the top of the Premier League table and remain on the reigning champions’ coattails.
Such a scenario is not new to the Reds, they have been in hot pursuit of Pep Guardiola’s side ever since their 12-game winning run came to an end against Southampton at the end of January. With City then losing 3-2 to Tottenham Hotspur a month later, Liverpool ’s own eight-game winning streak has seen them recently repeatedly move within three points of the table-toppers, courtesy of playing first, knowing that with a trip to the Etihad still to come, if they win all their remaining games then they will be champions.
Guardiola’s men have been able to continually rebuild a cushion ahead of the Reds, courtesy of Liverpool possessing a game-in-hand - first from seeing a Covid-19 outbreak result in the postponement of their Boxing Day clash with Leeds United and then because of their participation in last month’s Carabao Cup final.
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Yet City only partially took hold of their latest opportunity to do just that against Crystal Palace on Monday night, drawing 0-0 with the Eagles to leave the gap at four points but having played a match more than the Reds.
Liverpool's trip to Arsenal on Wednesday is that latest game-in-hand. Win and the gap is just one solitary point, with that trip to the Etihad still to come. Beat the Gunners and the gap behind City is no longer artificial.
With two months of the season remaining, and 10 league games to go for the Reds, there are sure to be plenty more twists and turns in the title-race in the weeks ahead. And not just because that potentially decisive trip to the Etihad is looming.
But even though that game remains a month away, it’s actually a lot closer than you might think. After Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates, both the Reds and Man City actually only have one more Premier League outing before they lock horns themselves as a result of their respective participation in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Liverpool host Watford in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday 2 April, with City travelling to Burnley later that day in game week 30. As a result, the Reds could go top of the table, temporarily at least, before Guardiola's men face the Clarets. Then, sandwiched between the Champions League quarter-final first and second legs, comes this potential title-decider on Sunday 10 April.
For weeks this trip to the Etihad has been in the back of minds, with Kopites knowing full well that as things stand, it is a match which could see them snatch top-spot in the Premier League table. Yet there will still be seven league matches to be played after Liverpool and City go head-to-head.
Two months ago the Reds trailed City by 14 points. Now they are on the verge of reducing that gap to just one point. For so long the hunter, if they are to win the Premier League this season then they will have to spend its final weeks as the hunted.
But first they have to overcome Arsenal in their game-in-hand to learn the true points-gap behind City. Win at the Emirates and it really is in Liverpool's hands.
It's too early for Jurgen Klopp 's side to win the title but in the weeks ahead, they face the prospect of losing it. And while it might feel like that trip to the Etihad is a long way off yet, there really is only one further turn left before Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes are put on the line.
