2025 is almost here, and what a year it could prove to be for Liverpool.
The Reds know they will enter the New Year leading the race for the Premier League title after their 3-1 win over Leicester on Boxing Day. Even with a game against West Ham still to come before 2024 is over, nearest challengers Arsenal and Chelsea will not be able to overtake them before January 1.
Even with a six-point lead and a game in hand at the moment, Arne Slot won’t be allowing his players to look too far ahead. Looking at the calendar though, there are five days in particular that could play a pivotal role in deciding where the Premier League title lands.
January 14
Liverpool will kick things off in the New Year against Manchester United on January 5, although considering the shambles the Old Trafford club remains, that shouldn’t really be too big a problem for the Reds. It’s the game after that might well hold a bit more trepidation.
They visit the only team to inflict defeat on Slot so far on January 14 as they travel to Nottingham Forest. That 1-0 win for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side at Anfield proved not to be a fluke either, with the two-time European champions currently positioned fourth, five points above fifth-placed Newcastle.
On the same day, Chelsea faces a Bournemouth side that has taken its fair share of points off the big sides already this season, while Arsenal hosts Tottenham in the north London derby. Liverpool showed exactly how Spurs should be dealt with, but do the Gunners have the same firepower to make such light work of Ange Postecoglou’s side?
January 25
On paper, this should be a relatively straightforward day for Liverpool as it hosts Ipswich. If all goes to plan at Anfield, the Reds’ could well extend their advantage over their rivals.
Arsenal travels to Wolves at the same time, and a trip to Molineux suddenly looks a much tougher prospect after Vitor Pereira’s back-to-back wins since arriving as Gary O’Neil’s replacement.
Later in the day, Chelsea travels to Manchester City. At this moment in time, it’s hard to see anything other than a win for the visitors, but surely City’s slump can’t last forever – can it?
