It feels like just about every other year includes a frantic Premier League title chase for Liverpool these days. So far, none of the close finishes have gone in the Reds' favor, but that could all change this year.
Of course, with three contenders instead of just two, the pressure is even higher to succeed, and any misstep could be the backbreaker. There are only 10 Premier League matches remaining this year for Liverpool; let's break down the first half of that stretch and see if the Reds can survive.
Sunday, March 31st- Brighton & Hove Albion
After the international break, Liverpool should be a much healthier side. Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez have both been playing in limited roles, and will presumably be much closer to 100% by then, while many or even all of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konaté and even Diogo Jota and Stefan Bajcetic could be back and ready to go for the stretch run.
The reverse fixture in October was a 2-2 draw, but Brighton were in much better form back then. They've won just three of their past nine Premier League matches, and should not be particularly competitive at Anfield against a healthy Liverpool.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
Thursday, April 4th- Sheffield United
This is the very definition of a lookahead game with the United match rather inexplicably just three days later. The question is whether it really matters. The blades have truly been that bad this year, with both the worst goal scoring and defensive records in the league.
They're already a lock to go back down to the Championship, and should be completely overwhelmed at Anfield.
The question is how strong of a lineup Klopp plays. With more squad fitness, he should have plenty of options, but Arsenal are currently well ahead by goal differential.
Yes, Klopp could play Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark, Caoimhin Kelleher, and other bench players and likely squeak out a win, but he could also unleash the Díaz-Nunez-Salah trio and attempt to win by an outrageous score like 7-0.
The best bet is something in between; a healthy mix of starters and backups, depending on who he expects to crack the XI against the Red Devils.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Sheffield
Sunday, April 7th- @ Manchester United
Liverpool have become quite accustomed to beating their archrivals at Anfield, and this year should not have been an exception.
Back in December, the Reds won the possession battle with a mark of 68.3%, and shots by a ridiculous margin of 34 (8 on target) to 6 (1). Of course, that's not how the game always works; Andre Onana turned away all eight shots and forced a 0-0 draw.
This time, Liverpool will be out for blood; they're not letting United be the ones to deny them a Premier League title.
Erik ten Hag finally has his men playing decent football, so this should be a fun, competitive match at Old Trafford, but it won't be enough for a home win. These sides will have recently played an FA Cup quarterfinal against one another, so it'll be interesting to see how that matchup affects this one.
Score Prediction: United 1-2 Liverpool
Sunday, April 14th- Crystal Palace
It really is especially good news that the Premier League slate in the coming weeks is pretty mild, as there will presumably be a Europa League quarterfinal match between the United match and this one, as well as between this one and the next.
A visit from the 14th-place squad in the table shouldn't be an issue, although this side did draw at the Etihad this year.
Still, they're not in great form. Allowing over 1.7 goals per game is not going to cut it against this Liverpool side. Palace's attack has been inconsistent but can certainly have its moments; this could be a bit of a shaky moment depending on squad fitness and the level of difficulty of the Europa League matches, but it should be a win.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Palace
Saturday, April 20th- @ Fulham
This one's just a bit scary. The Cottagers are a fine side, who are probably just a bit unlucky to be as far down the table as they are, and a road match in London is never a free six points.
This match also comes right before a road trip to West Ham, a home match with Tottenham, and potentially some Europa League action as well, so it wouldn't be impossible for the team to lose focus.
If Liverpool are going to drop points in this stretch, this match could very well be the one. That being said, they shouldn't do so; this five-match run has all the potential in the World to yield 15 points, and we've seen this team pull off some truly amazing final stretches when locked in league title races.
Score prediction: Fulham 1-2 Liverpool
TBD- @ Everton
This one isn't on the schedule, but pending the Europa League, could get tossed somewhere in the mix. Otherwise, it'll be towards the very end of the season, and could be a real test; the Toffees aren't above time-wasting and more to secure what would be, to them, a glorious draw, and they'll have a rowdy Goodison Park behind them.
Everton doesn't have any success of its own in this era; raining on Liverpool's parade is all they have, and they'll give absolutely everything they have to make it happen.
Luckily, "everything they have" still isn't all that much, so even on the road in a big spot, expect the gaffer to have his squad fully prepared for another Derby win
Score prediction: Everton 0-1 Liverpool