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

Liverpool are closing in on their 20th league title(Image: AP)

As Premier League title winning opportunities go this could hardly be a better one for Liverpool, and nor could it be more surprising.

After a long and painful title drought spanning 30 years was finally put to bed by Jurgen Klopp's dominant team in 2020, albeit via a pandemic-induced wait to claim their crown, now they come into the final nine games of Arne Slot's first season in charge with a chance to pick up a second league title in five years.

Article continues below

No-one predicted this when the Dutchman took over from Klopp in the summer, and so that is why those of a Liverpool persuasion have been determined to look on the bright side despite a Champions League exit and Carabao Cup final loss in recent weeks.

But while they may be 12 points clear at the top, the Reds still need to get over line and finish the job, something that Slot and his players were keen to emphasise after the Wembley loss to Newcastle.

READ MORE:Curtis Jones admits he wasn’t having ‘dig’ at Jurgen Klopp as he clarifies commentREAD MORE:Truth behind Virgil van Dijk's chat with PSG chiefs as transfer stance revealed

To do that they are going to have to ward off the threat of Arsenal, who can now reach a maximum of 85 points from their remaining nine games.

There is likely to be much talk of David Moyes' side not wanting to do Liverpool a title favour in the game, but with the Gunners set to have more than one eye on their Champions League meeting with Real Madrid the following Tuesday they could find life tough on one of Goodison Park's last big days.

Liverpool are in south west London the following day to take on Fulham, who held the Reds to a 2-2 draw at Anfield this season after an early red card for Andy Robertson.

Marco Silva's side are in the mix for European football this season and can give any team a good game, and Arne Slot's men are not going to have it all their own way on the banks of the Thames.

Liverpool thrashed West Ham 5-0 in December in one of their best performances of the season(Image: AP)

Arsenal go first again the following weekend, with Brentford visiting the Gunners in between the two legs against Real Madrid.

You'd think this should be another three points on the board.

Kai Havertz scored the only goal when Arsenal beat Ipswich in December(Image: AP)

Arsenal go first again as both sides take on sides who are likely to be going down at the end of season, although this time the Gunners kick off just a couple of hours before the Reds when they go to Portman Road.

The Foxes actually look the lead at Anfield on Boxing Day only to lose 3-1, and they could be in for a similar beating here.

Liverpool scored six at Tottenham in December (Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace in December was one of the Gunners' best results of the season but also one of their most damaging matches, as they lost Saka to his serious hamstring injury.

They smashed six past Spurs in the league in December and four more in the League Cup in February, and more should follow.

Curtis Jones scored Liverpool's winner against Chelsea in October(Image: Getty Images)

Again going first, Arsenal could go into their meeting with Bournemouth knowing that anything but a win would give Liverpool the title there and then.
For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.