With nine games to go and the likely prospect of more Europa League games Liverpool have a busy end to the season. The final league games are a mixed bag with difficult games away to West Brom and a rejuvenated Bournemouth, as well as rivals Chelsea and Everton visiting Anfield before the end of the season. The Reds currently sit seven points adrift of Manchester City with a game in hand but the strength of a resilient West Ham and the gap to City may be too much to achieve a Champions League return. However, in this unpredictable Premier League season it seems just about anything can happen.
Tottenham (Home) – Saturday 2nd April
Jurgen Klopp began his Liverpool managerial career with a 0-0 draw against Tottenham in October and the Reds face the title-chasing side in their first game of April. This clash certainly is more important to the visitors as they aim to win their first Premier League title and Liverpool can use this to their advantage.
Spurs picked up an important 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday after gaining just one point from their last two and cannot afford any more slip-ups if they are to catch Leicester. Tottenham’s record in this fixture is very poor, with just one win in their last eight games and have just the solitary win on Merseyside in the last 17 visits.
However, they are a very challenging opposition on great form. Under Mauricio Pochettino they are strong in both attack and defence, boasting the best records in the league in both these categories. Again it seems this will be a very close game and it could be that both teams cancel each other out.
Head-to-Head: DWWWW
Stoke (Home) – SUNDAY 10TH APRIL
Since they arrived in the Premier League in 2008, Stoke have been a frustrating opponent. The Potters tasted victory in their last visit to Anfield but it was bittersweet as they were knocked out on penalties in the League Cup semi-final and they will certainly be out for revenge.
Klopp’s side will see this as a game from which they can take maximum points, but their Europa League quarter-final the Thursday before may hinder their progress.They seemed to have exorcised that 6-1 defeat at the Britannia on the final day of last season with two wins at the Britannia this season and with Mark Hughes’ side going through a difficult patch they must capitalise.
Head to Head: LWWLW
Bournemouth (Away) – SATURDAY 16TH APRIL
Eddie Howe’s side have received many plaudits for their efforts this season, with their fresh, attacking style catching a lot of attention. The Cherries all but sealed their Premier League survival with a dramatic 3-2 win against relegation rivals Swansea last week. The magnitude of this achievement has gone somewhat under the radar and perhaps been eclipsed by Leicester’s amazing season.
Liverpool have limited yet successful experience against the Cherries, playing them just four times in the last 48 years and winning on each occasion.Eddie Howe’s men are unbeaten in four and won their last three games, coming into form just at the right time. The signing of Benik Afobe has bolstered their attacking strength and they will certainly be a tough challenge.
Both sides are on form and with Bournemouth’s determined spirit this may be a clash in which Liverpool drop points.
Head to Head: WWWWW
Everton (Home) – WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL
Everton have been extremely inconsistent this season and performed well below expectation. They should be far higher up the table than 12th. However, their tactical indecisiveness and poor defensive structure has seen them struggle for consistency.
However, an impressive 2-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup showed what Everton and their highly-rated Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku can achieve. The Toffees have certainly been better on the road this season and so playing at Anfield may benefit them, despite their winning only once in 20 visits.
Head to Head: DDDWD
Newcastle (Home) – SATURDAY 23RD APRIL
A couple of weeks ago it would have been hard to argue that this game would be one of the most intriguing fixtures in the run-in but with the announcement of Rafael Benitez as the new Newcastle manager has got many excited about his Anfield return.
Benitez is still a favourite with many Reds fans and should receive a warm welcome on his return. However, for the Spaniard it should not be just a special occasion as the Magpies have to start desperately picking up as many points as possible to ensure their Premier League survival.
Newcastle’s recent form has been disastrous with just seven points taken from a possible thirty, though recent performances against Leicester and Sunderland showed some promise. The home side tends to get the better of the other in recent fixtures between the two and Newcastle haven’t won at Anfield in the League since 1994 and with their lack of attacking talent they may have to wait a little longer for that elusive win.
Head to Head: LWLWD
Swansea (Away) – SATURDAY 30TH APRIL
In many aspects it has been a season to forget for the Swans as they languish in 15th in the table but should be safe this season. They have lacked goals this season and are the fourth joint-lowest scorers in the league having not found a suitable replacement for Wilfried Bony since his departure to Man City last January.
Liverpool have a fantastic record against this opposition, having won six and drawn two of their last eight meetings. The Welsh side have struggled so far at the Liberty stadium this season and a repeat of Liverpool’s narrow win in November could be a likely outcome.
Head to Head: WWWWW
Watford (Home) – SATURDAY 7TH MAY
Watford, like their fellow newly promoted side Bournemouth, have taken many plaudits this season. The Hornets started the season fantastically and have never looked in danger of relegation this season. The London club humiliated Liverpool and Adam Bogdan in a horrendous 3-0 defeat for the Reds in the reverse fixture.
When this match comes around, Watford could be preparing for the FA Cup Final and Liverpool could use this to their advantage. The Hornets have had a poor run of league form of late, and they have slipped to 14th in the Premier League. The Reds will be looking to avenge that ill-fated day at Vicarage Road and will expect to take maximum points from this fixture. Watford’s stubborn defence and struggling attack will probably stop this from being a classic.
Head to Head: LWWWW
CHELSEA (Home) – WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY
Guus Hiddink has steadied the ship at Chelsea after their atrocious start to their title defence. Any hop of a successful season was ended by defeats in the FA Cup and Champions League but they have managed to emerge from the rubble. The Blues have slowly climbed up the Premier League table with wins against Arsenal and Manchester City the highlights. However, the momentum has begun to decline and defeats to Everton and Paris Saint-Germain as well as a draw at home to Stoke suggest slowing progress. Hiddink’s men will be set up to frustrate Liverpool but will likely not pose enough of a threat to take all three points.
Head to Head: WDLDL
WEST BROM (Away) – SUNDAY 15TH MAY
Tony Pulis’ sides have frustrated Liverpool on many occasions in recent years and this may be another one of these days. Recent visits to the Hawthorns have been difficult for the Reds and with West Brom’s defensive strength it may continue this way.
The Baggies are another team who were in contention for relegation earlier in the season but improved form has seen them rise to 11th in the table. Impressive wins over Man United and Everton and a draw at Leicester have kept them well above the relegation zone.
In the reverse fixture, the Baggies frustrated the Reds at Anfield as only Divock Origi’s last-gasp equaliser stopped them from picking up the three points. Their resolute defence should be difficult for Klopp’s men but their limited attacking ability means that it likely this clash will end in a stalemate.
Head to Head: DDWDW
