LONDON, Jan 17, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Liverpool can widen the chasm between
themselves and Manchester United to a staggering 30 points if they come out
on top in the battle between England’s two most successful clubs at Anfield
on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men look destined to end a 30-year wait to win a top-flight
title, with a 14-point lead over defending champions Manchester City plus a
game in hand.
United are a further 13 points back, having also played a game more than
their rivals, and in need of a strong end to the campaign to avoid failing to
qualify for the Champions League for a second consecutive season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are, however, the only side to have slowed
Liverpool’s relentless march towards the Premier League title.
The 1-1 draw between the teams in October was the only time the European
champions have dropped points this season. They have now set a record for
Europe’s top five leagues, with 20 wins from their opening 21 games.
“Our team have a winning mindset. We always think about the next game, we
don’t look too far ahead,” said Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who has
conceded just one goal in his past 10 games.
“We focus upon what is within reach at the time and we do everything
possible to make sure we leave the pitch with a win and this has contributed
to the great results this season.”
The Brazilian number one will be confident of another clean sheet on
Sunday, with United’s top scorer Marcus Rashford a serious doubt after
lasting just 15 minutes as a second-half substitute in Wednesday’s 1-0 win
over Wolves in the FA Cup.
“I didn’t want to play him, but we needed the win. It has backfired,”
admitted Solskjaer.
– Watford warning for Spurs –
United could find themselves eight points adrift of the top four by the
time they kick-off at Anfield if Chelsea win at Newcastle on Saturday.
A win for the Blues on Tyneside would also put Frank Lampard’s men 12
points clear of Tottenham, unless Jose Mourinho’s men can snap Watford’s
winning streak at Vicarage Road.
Only Liverpool and City have won more points in the six games since Nigel
Pearson took charge of the Hornets, with 13 from their past five matches
propelling them out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.
Spurs reduced a 12-point gap to Chelsea when Mourinho replaced Mauricio
Pochettino in November down to three prior to their meeting a month later.
But they have won just one of their past five league games, leaving their
chances of reaching the Champions League for a fifth straight season hanging
by a thread.
“It is possible to talk about top four when you start the season on zero
points, but it is hard to talk about it when you start at minus 12,” said
Mourinho after last weekend’s defeat by Liverpool.
– Last chance for Norwich –
The bottom two face off at Carrow Road as Norwich host Bournemouth,
realistically needing a win to maintain any hope of survival.
Daniel Farke’s side have not won in their past nine league games to fall
eight points adrift of safety, but have still claimed more points in the past
two months than their visitors.
A run of four points in 11 games has plunged Bournemouth into a relegation
battle.
The Cherries are struggling at both ends, conceding 22 goals and scoring
just six in that run to put their five-season stay in the top flight under
threat.
Fixtures
Saturday (1500 GMT unless stated)
Watford v Tottenham (1230), Arsenal v Sheffield United, Brighton v Aston
Villa, Manchester City v Crystal Palace, Norwich v Bournemouth, Southampton v
Wolves, West Ham v Everton, Newcastle v Chelsea (1730)
Sunday
Burnley v Leicester (1400), Liverpool v Manchester United (1630)