Liverpool eye title surge as Champions League race heats up

Liverpool aim to take another step toward securing the Premier League title when they host West Ham on Sunday, while the race for Champions League qualification intensifies among several top-five contenders.

Despite a shock 3-2 defeat to Fulham last weekend that ended their 26-game unbeaten league run, Liverpool remain firmly in control at the top of the table. With an 11-point cushion over second-placed Arsenal and just seven matches left, Arne Slot’s side are closing in on a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

Slot dismissed concerns of complacency, insisting his team must continue to work hard to cross the finish line.

“There’s no reason for complacency,” he said. “Our victories require enormous effort. We don’t dominate games the way other champions have in the past — every point is earned.”

Fierce Fight for Top Five

As five English clubs are set to qualify for next season’s Champions League, the battle for those coveted spots is entering a critical phase.

Nottingham Forest, in third place, host Everton on Saturday and aim to return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time since the 1980-81 season. They sit five points ahead of sixth-placed Manchester City.

Chelsea currently sit fourth, narrowly ahead of Newcastle on goal difference, though the Magpies have a game in hand. Chelsea face relegation-threatened Ipswich this weekend, while Newcastle host Manchester United.

Aston Villa, in seventh and two points outside the top five, visit already-relegated Southampton. Meanwhile, City — enduring a disappointing campaign by their high standards — will try to keep their European hopes alive at home against Crystal Palace. A failure to qualify would see Pep Guardiola’s team miss out on the Champions League for the first time since 2010-11.

Leicester Facing Drop

At the other end of the table, Leicester City are on the verge of relegation after a disastrous run of form. The Foxes travel to Brighton on Saturday needing a result to avoid being cut further adrift.

A 3-0 loss to Newcastle on Monday marked Leicester’s eighth consecutive home defeat without scoring — a new low in English football’s top four divisions. They haven’t found the net at home since December 8, also against Brighton.

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is under increasing pressure as his team have lost nine straight matches in all competitions. If Leicester lose and fourth-bottom Wolves beat Tottenham on Sunday, the East Midlands side will be 18 points from safety with only six games to play.

“I’ve tried different tactics, formations, and players — nothing has worked,” said a frustrated Van Nistelrooy.

Weekend Fixtures (Kick-off times in GMT)

Saturday:
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (11:30), Brighton v Leicester, Nottingham Forest v Everton, Southampton v Aston Villa, Arsenal v Brentford (16:30)

Sunday:
Chelsea v Ipswich (13:00), Liverpool v West Ham (13:00), Wolves v Tottenham (13:00), Newcastle v Manchester United (15:30)

Monday:
Bournemouth v Fulham (19:00)