Liverpool’s march to the Premier League title seems inevitable after they increased their lead at the top of the table to 15 points.
No team in English top-flight history, going all the way back to 1888-89, has been this far clear at this stage of the season and not won the title.
The Reds have only lost once in the league all season – and beat Southampton 3-1 on Saturday. Meanwhile, second-placed Arsenal have dropped points in each of their past three games – including their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
“Liverpool will look at it and think ‘Arsenal have almost given up the title race’,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane said on Sky Sports.
And former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson added: “I will be saying now that Arsenal need to concentrate to get into the Premier League top four.
“Liverpool are too far away. They have only lost one game all season. [The title race] is over.”
Nottingham Forest are third, four points behind Arsenal, and Chelsea another two points further back in fourth.
Manchester City, who have won the past four Premier League titles, sit fifth after losing 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
BBC Sport looks at when Liverpool could wrap up their second Premier League title – and record-equalling 20th overall.
What dates could the Reds be looking at?
It is fair to say the Anfield club are champions elect now – so it is a matter of when and not if.
Statisticians Opta give Liverpool a 99.66% chance of winning the title. Arsenal are 15 points behind with a game in hand but have just a 0.34% off finishing top.
The Reds need 16 points out of a possible 27 to guarantee the title, with Arsenal only able to obtain a maximum of 85 points.
If Liverpool win their next five games and Arsenal their next six, taking into account their game in hand, then Arne Slot’s side would need just a solitary point from their encounter against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 3 May to be crowned champions.
If Liverpool win their next two fixtures and both Arsenal and Nottingham Forest lose their next four then the Reds will be champions on 12 April.
Because of their progress in the Champions League, place in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle and an international break, Liverpool do not play another league game in March.
Liverpool’s final Premier League games (dates subject to change)
2 April: Everton (H)
5 April: Fulham (A)
12 April: West Ham (H)
19 April: Leicester (A)
26 April: Tottenham (H)
3 May: Chelsea (A)
10 May: Arsenal (H)
18 May: Brighton (A)
25 May: Crystal Palace (H)
Could Liverpool break any records?
Liverpool would need everything to go their way to equal their own record of winning the title with seven games to go in 2019-20.
Equalling the five games left of Manchester United (2000-01) and Manchester City (2017-18) is more achievable.
United (1999-2000 and 2012-13) and Arsenal (2003-04) did it with four games to spare.
The earliest date a title has been won by was 14 April 2001 when United were crowned champions.
For Liverpool to beat that record they would need to increase their lead over Arsenal significantly.
The Reds know that if they win it, it will be earlier in the year than their only other Premier League title – which came on 25 June 2020 in the Covid-interupted season.
Arne Slot’s side would have to extend their lead at the top by seven points to record the biggest margin of victory in a Premier League season.
Manchester City finished 19 points clear of Manchester United in 2017-18 when they won the Premier League title with a record 100 points.
The Reds can get a maximum of 97 points.
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