Liverpool Handed ‘Fixture Favour’ as Premier League Title Race Heats Up | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Momentum: Smooth Sailing, but Storm Clouds Loom

Liverpool fans are savouring a remarkable season, but football has a way of turning fortune on its head. Currently leading in both the Premier League and Champions League, the Reds are enjoying a period of dominance, but as always, caution is warranted.

The recent postponement of the Merseyside Derby might look like an interruption, but in truth, it could not have come at a better time – even if Virgil van Dijk’s comments suggest otherwise.

The Postponed Derby: A Hidden Blessing?

In a candid interview, van Dijk reflected on the postponement of the Merseyside Derby, saying:

“We did not see it as a gift. We wanted to play that game. I always want to play and get a result but unfortunately the game did not happen. It was the right decision in terms of the safety for the fans, but we will meet and have to be ready for them.”

Photo: IMAGO

However, for all the noble talk, it’s undeniable that Liverpool were beginning to look leggy. The 1-1 draw against Newcastle showed signs of fatigue creeping in after a packed December. With nine games originally scheduled for January, the enforced break offers much-needed respite, a chance to recalibrate and refresh.

The rearranged Derby, now scheduled for Tuesday 11th February at Goodison Park, slots perfectly into the Reds’ calendar. It will fall between Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 15th February at 15:00 and Manchester City vs Liverpool on Saturday 22nd February at 15:00. A midweek clash in February’s cold snap – that’s exactly where Liverpool might have picked to play their neighbours. A strategic boon disguised as a delay.

Fixture Luck and Opponent Woes

Liverpool’s good fortune extends beyond the calendar. Their next Premier League home game sees Fulham visit Anfield without their first-choice centre-backs. Following that, they travel to Tottenham, where both Van de Ven and Romero remain sidelined.

These absences tilt the scales further in Liverpool’s favour. Combine this with the return of key players like Jota and Chiesa, and suddenly Liverpool’s prospects shine even brighter. Kostas Tsimikas is back on the grass, Ibrahima Konaté is out of his protective boot, and injuries that previously caused concern are now being resolved.

Photo: IMAGO

Momentum Can Be Fleeting

Of course, football is never predictable. Liverpool’s injury crisis earlier this season is a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change. Even as Arne Slot’s side navigate these challenges with aplomb, a congested schedule and unforeseen setbacks could easily derail their momentum.

February, in particular, remains a gauntlet. After the rescheduled Derby, Liverpool must face Wolves, Manchester City, and Newcastle in a tight sequence. These matches will test the Reds’ depth and resolve, even as they hold the upper hand now.

All Eyes on February’s Fixture Pile-Up

For Liverpool, the stars are aligning in ways that rarely happen. From the perfectly placed Merseyside Derby to weakened opposition and the timely return of key players, everything feels like it’s coming together. Yet, as every football fan knows, such fortune is as fragile as it is fleeting. Liverpool sit in pole position, their lead intact and their confidence soaring. But for a team with ambitions as grand as theirs, maintaining focus and keeping players fit will be the ultimate challenge. As fans, we can only hope for smooth sailing – but with fingers crossed.