With just three weeks of the Premier League season to go, Manchester United's destiny is in their own hands.
The Reds are currently fourth in the standings, one place and four points ahead of Liverpool. Perhaps cautiously, however, United will be looking over their shoulders if the Merseysiders beat Brentford on Saturday evening at Anfield.
A sixth successive victory for Jurgen Klopp's side would move them to within just a point of the Reds, ahead of them facing West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday evening, meaning they have the opportunity to apply some pressure in the race for Champions League qualification. United, however, following Liverpool's clash with the Bees will have two games in hand, highlighting how they will remain in charge of their destiny.
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United's five remaining Premier League fixtures look favourable, with only one of their last five opponents currently camped inside the top half of the table. Furthermore, three of the Reds' last five matches are at Old Trafford, where they have been consistently strong throughout the campaign.
Following Sunday's trip to West Ham, United welcome Wolves to M16 next weekend, marking the first of three home games in their last four. Chelsea and Fulham will visit Old Trafford in the final week of the season.
A quick glance at the Premier League home table makes encouraging reading for United, with the Reds having won 12 of their 16 Old Trafford outings. They are unbeaten on their own patch since the opening day of the campaign and have conceded a league-best eight goals all season.
Therefore, with a home record so strong, that could be the difference between United securing a top four berth or not. Liverpool, who have won each of their last five matches, can reach a maximum of 71 points with four wins from their last four games, while the Reds can reach a maximum tally of 78 with five wins from their last five.
But when you consider that United have still got two away games left, you do fear that their three remaining home games could be key to getting them over the line. Erik ten Hag's side, as has been well-documented throughout the season, have consistently struggled on the road this season, winning just seven of their 17 away league games.
Admittedly, it is against top half teams where they have struggled on the road, meaning they might have more confidence about beating West Ham and Bournemouth. On the flip side, though, the Cherries are on an upward trajectory and the Hammers are not yet safe, meaning nothing can be taken for granted.
It means that United's three remaining home games could decide their fate and play a key role in their Champions League aspirations. They will be favourites to scoop all three points in each of their remaining home games and a maximum haul of nine would mean Liverpool, even if they won their last four, would be unable to catch them.
In the event of United taking nine points from their last five, presuming their struggles away from home continue and they lose their last two - though Ten Hag will be hoping that, of course, does not turn out to be the case - only Brighton would be capable of catching them. The Seagulls have six games left and can finish on a maximum of 73 points, meaning they would have to win all of their remaining fixtures to stand any chance.
As good as the Seagulls have been this season, they still have to visit Arsenal and Newcastle United, as well as host Manchester City, before the end of the campaign, meaning they will be expected to drop points along the way at some stage. It would take a phenomenal effort to win all six.
With that bank of knowledge in mind, United know what they must do to get themselves over the line and secure a route back into Europe's premier club competition for next season. They will, of course, be hoping to avoid any further setbacks on the road, but their excellent home form should get them over the line and stave off the threat of Liverpool behind.
Ten Hag has turned Old Trafford back into a fortress this season, making it the bedrock of their progress, and it could be that which gets them over the line. They must make it count.
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