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Liverpool boss Arne Slot(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Sixteen points.

A simple tally sustaining Liverpool supporters throughout what has seemed an almost interminable time until their team is next in action.

That total, of course, is what is required over the remaining nine Premier League games to mathematically seal a record-equalling 20th championship and cap a remarkable first season in charge for head coach Arne Slot.



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Given the discrepancy in goal difference - Liverpool are currently 13 better off than second-placed Arsenal - it is very much not beyond the realms of possibility that 15 points will be enough.

Indeed, five victories would be sufficient should one come against the Gunners when they clash at Anfield in mid-May.

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While the Reds were 16 points clear after their most recent Premier League at home to Southampton almost a month ago, that was subsequently cut to 12 after Arsenal, in their two games in hand, drew at Manchester United and then squeezed past Chelsea at home.

Now, though, it is a straight fight between the duo, with Arsenal scheduled to play before Liverpool for the next month.

That starts on Tuesday when Mikel Arteta's side host Fulham, with the Reds entertaining neighbours Everton the following evening.

And a look at how the two teams have fared in their rivals' respective remaining fixtures this season makes for intriguing reading and suggests Liverpool have the more difficult of the two run-ins.

Although both teams have yet to face Crystal Palace at home - Liverpool conclude the campaign at home to the Londoners - and obviously also must play each other again, the seven other fixtures have already been played by their title rivals.

Liverpool took 17 out of a possible 21 points in the other games that Arsenal have still to play, the only blemishes being draws at home Fulham and away at Everton.

By contrast, Arsenal won only 10 points from the seven matches Liverpool face, drawing at home to Everton and away at Fulham, Chelsea and Brighton, while losing at home to West Ham United.

Both title rivals have five games at home and four away.

And while three of the Reds' away games are at current top eight teams, three of Arsenal's are against sides in the bottom six.

Of course, all the evidence this season points to Liverpool being a better team than Arsenal and that should be factored in accordingly.

But, if the Gunners are the best gauge - and given they are the nearest challengers, that stands to reason - then the Reds must still negotiate some tough assignments to win the title.

The portents, though, very much indicate Slot's side will complete the job.

While over the last 20 years Liverpool have taken fewer than 16 points from their final nine Premier League games on seven occasions, four of those saw them earn 15 points - which will most likely be sufficient to lift the title - of which the most recent was the spluttering finale to the last campaign.

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On the three occasions the Reds fell short of that mark, Brendan Rodgers was sacked a few months later in 2015, Kenny Dalglish was booted out of the hotseat within days of the season ending in 2012 and Rafael Benitez's side were distracted by the unexpected forthcoming Champions League final in 2005.

Unlike those faltering or otherwise occupied teams, Liverpool are by some distance the Premier League's dominant team having lost just one of their 29 matches in the competition this season.

Yes, some bumps in the road will be expected as the pressure increases.

The Reds, though, very much have their destiny in their own hands.


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