Liverpool’s late win against Everton presents opportunity to establish two-horse title race over Christmas

Follow us on Google Discover

A couple of winnable games either side of a huge clash with Manchester City could see Liverpool emerge as the main challengers to Chelsea.

Liverpool’s late winner against Everton means they are still very much in the title race. If Sadio Mane had not been able to capitalise on Daniel Sturridge’s effort rebounding off the inside of the post then the Reds would trail Chelsea by eight points going into the Christmas period and it would take some coming back from, even at this stage of the season.

Before they reach the halfway stage of the campaign, Liverpool host Stoke City and Manchester City at Anfield. The first game will be seen as very winnable, the second could be massive in the context of their season.

Win both and it could be a case of the Reds establishing a two-horse race for the Premier League title between themselves and Antonio Conte’s men.

A four-point gap to Manchester City at the halfway stage could be crucial, while Arsenal surrendering two leads within a week has raised fresh questions about their credentials to sustain a challenge. It would probably be too early to be a knock-out blow for Liverpool to win their next two, but it could be substantial in the context of the season.

Chelsea may look imperious on their 11-game winning run which may yet to extend but one feels it has to end at some point; adding another 21 games to that just does not seem possible. There will be chances for Liverpool to capitalise – notably when the two sides meet at Anfield at the end of next month – but they are opportunities Jurgen Klopp’s side have to take.

One other time could be when Chelsea make the short trip to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham Hotspur, when Liverpool will have played two days earlier against Sunderland.

It feels like this is a period when they need to go on a run and apply the pressure at the top. If they do that, it could be one hell of a tussle between two sides, although no doubt plenty of teams in the background will have something to say about it.