Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Liverpool lead the Premier League title race as things stand but face a difficult period of matches in the coming weeks(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Liverpool heading into the international break on a low note is never a good sign, though nothing can be done about defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United now.

Therefore with 27 points to play for, Liverpool require 16 to wrap up the title for good.

Article continues below

It is often after March internationals that the title picture unfolds in full so in this upcoming home stretch Arne Slot will be presented with multiple difficult challenges.



With such great focus on a difficult tie, this weekend unequivocally favours Liverpool.

On paper, dropped points for either Liverpool or Arsenal should be the least expected of any remaining round.

Both opposition teams are staring relegation in the face nine points off safety so should be close to confirming their fate by this point in the season.

The only argument against would be Ipswich giving the Gunners a tough go as they could still be reeling from their visit to Real Madrid.

Spurs have been a broken team this term and with little to play for could be ripe for the picking when they next visit Anfield, so confidence should be high regardless of whether Slot's side can wrap up the league on this weekend.

Meanwhile Arsenal should similarly be expected to beat Palace for the gulf in their quality, even if Oliver Glasner's team have recently hit form - that fact could have changed spectacularly by the end of April.

Arguably the third-most difficult remaining challenge for the Reds is a visit to Stamford Bridge, which under any circumstances can never be taken lightly.

It just so happens that the circumstance this season might be winning the Premier League title there and then.

Winning all five matches in the build-up with Arsenal keeping pace means everything can be finished in this round of fixtures.

Enzo Maresca's side are young and have tailed off compared to their standards in the first half of the campaign, though they are still in the hunt for the top four so the task of winning at their home can't be diminished just yet.

At least at the same time their rivals face one of their more difficult matches with European-chasing Bournemouth proving their are capable of beating most this term already, including Arsenal in their reverse meeting.

And the added bonus the Reds can witness either side of this weekend is if their rivals make the Champions League semi-finals, they'll be playing a double-header home and away vs either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa.

Slot must stay vigilant if the title battle does go this far, especially as Fabian Hurzeler's side are right in the mix for even Champions League football next term if they do well enough.

The same looks to be said for Eddie Howe and Newcastle at Arsenal, so long as they don't just settle for the Carabao Cup and seek to finish their season in style.

On the final day of the season in May, all teams will be playing at the same time as one another.
For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.