It might not necessarily feel like it ahead of the weekend's Premier League action, but there should be some comfort in the knowledge that the worst case scenario for Liverpool is to find themselves 'only' five points clear by Sunday evening.

Given the nine-point advantage that was so tantalisingly in sight before James Tarkowski's dramatic derby-day intervention, or the chasm of 10 had Aston Villa been negotiated, it would be understandable if the idea of the gap dwindling was not met with universal acceptance, however.

But that does a disservice to the remarkably strong position Arne Slot and his players find themselves in as they play the first of their final dozen games in the Premier League at Manchester City on Sunday.

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Liverpool's visit to City marks the end of a punishing run that has seen the Reds play against three of the top five, their local rivals - in the final game at their historic home - and the side who, at the time, had the best home record in the Premier League in Brentford.

From that exacting schedule so far, Slot's side are unbeaten and have gained eight points from the 12 on offer.

Newcastle United visit for a dress rehearsal of the March 16 Carabao Cup final, which is the first of seven home games between now and the end of the campaign.

Liverpool might have the best away record in the division and their only loss this term was indeed at home, but Anfield remains their bread and butter and when a major honour is on the line, few can inspire more than those supporters.

That just one Premier League fixture is played in March, at home to rock-bottom Southampton, should set up the sort of April that sees Liverpool fans turn out in their droves to hammer home the significance of each assignment, which kicks off, as chance would have it, with a visit from Everton
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