LONDON
Liverpool have one hand on the Premier League trophy as they seek the solitary point they need against struggling Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday that would guarantee a record-equalling 20th English title.
A draw at an expectant Anfield would take Arne Slot’s men 13 points clear of Arsenal with just four games remaining, meaning they could not be caught.
Below them, Chelsea and Newcastle United have the chance to press their case for Champions League qualification with Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa all involved in the FA Cup semi-finals.
At the bottom of the table, Ipswich Town’s fate could be sealed.
It is tough to see struggling Tottenham delaying Liverpool’s title party at Anfield.
After Arsenal’s home draw against Crystal Palace in midweek, Arne Slot’s men just need a draw to seal the deal and pull level with bitter rivals Manchester United on 20 English titles.
Out-of-form Tottenham are 16th in the league table and have a miserable record at Anfield — not winning there since 2011.
Liverpool won the reverse fixture this season 6-3 and were 4-1 winners on aggregate in their two-legged League Cup semi-final.
Captain Virgil van Dijk said it had been an “outstanding season” but that there was still work to do after Liverpool’s 1-0 at Leicester last week.
“Now we have the chance to finish it off on the weekend against a very good Tottenham, in my opinion,” he said. “We played three times already against them this season and every game was very intense. To be in this position now, it’s a good position but we’re not there yet.
“We all have to realise that and we will. We’ll make sure of that. It’s a good week of preparation and then we have to be ready.”
Meanwhile, just four points separate third-placed Manchester City from Aston Villa in seventh in the race for Champions League spots next season.
For the first time the Premier League’s top five will all qualify for Europe’s top club competition, due to strong performances in continental competition.
Liverpool are already guaranteed a spot and Arsenal, 10 points clear of Chelsea in sixth, are practically there, leaving three places open.
City stole a march this week in the mini-league with a last-gasp win against Villa after Nottingham Forest, now fourth, beat Tottenham on Monday.
Villa play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, with Forest taking on City the following day at Wembley.
It means Newcastle, who could have Eddie Howe back on the touchline after a bout of pneumonia, would leapfrog City if they beat lowly Ipswich.
