The last time three teams finished within five points of each other was the 2013-14 Premier League season, 10 years ago. There is nothing more captivating and entertaining than a Premier League title race, something Manchester City's recent dominance has deprived fans of but this season promises to be different. There are 12 match weeks left and just three points that currently separate the three title contenders. Here we analyse how each team will fair in the run in to the end of the season and what problems they might face in their quest to be crowned champions at then end of the season.
Liverpool:
Liverpool are buoyant from lifting their tenth Carabao Cup on Sunday, after Virgil Van Dijk's extra-time header gave them a narrow 1-0 victory over Chelsea. Despite fielding a depleted squad with 13 first team injuries, Jurgen Klopp's team demonstrated their winning mentality to cross the finish line against a Chelsea side who had many chances in front of goal but were wasteful.
On Wednesday, Klopp relied on his youth in the FA Cup Fifth Round against Southampton, as they beat the Saints 3-0 courtesy of two goals from 18 year old Jayden Danns to advance to the next round and closer to Wembley once again this season.
Liverpool are on a five game winning streak in all competitions and have lost once in their last 17 games, which was just their second loss in the league all season against Arsenal. However, the increasing injury list is a growing concern for Liverpool fans with a congested and pivotal run in to the end of the season including a seismic title decider with Manchester City in nine days time at the Etihad Stadium.
Darwin Nunez is ruled out until mid March with a muscle injury and influential talisman Mohamed Salah is similarly sidelined until mid March as a result of a hamstring injury following his time at AFCON with Egypt.
During the Egyptians absence Diogo Jota claimed Premier League Player of the Month for January, scoring five goals and getting four assists before sustaining a knee injury which will rule the Portuguese striker out for at least two months.
Cody Gakpo is yet to ignite his Liverpool career since his £37m arrival in January 2023 from PSV and has been overshadowed by his attacking counterparts so far at Anfield. He has predominately been deployed on the left wing supporting Nunez and Salah this season, but as a number nine recently he struggled to make an impact at Wembley on Sunday and has a tendency to go missing. The 23 year old has 11 goals in 37 games this season, but he needs to step up in the absence of his attacking teammates or Liverpool will lack firepower and threat upfront.
Liverpool are in the driving seat in this title race currently, and face Nottingham Forest on Saturday before their Europa League round of 16 tie against Sparta Prague next Thursday.
It's written in the stars that in his farewell season Jurgen Klopp lifts Liverpool's second league title of the Premier League era to cap off a fairy-tale managerial career at the club, but their is a long way to go in this rollercoaster of a season and they can't afford to drop off as a result of this latest injury crisis.
manchester city:
The reigning Premier League champions, are the inevitable favourites in this title race having lifted the last three successive titles. Pep Guardiola's treble winners have unlocked another level in recent performances, flexing their goalscoring prowess in a 6-2 demolition of Luton on Tuesday night in the FA Cup fifth round.
The return of Kevin De Bruyne has been a turning point in City's season, since his return they are on a 18 game unbeaten run in all competitions and with the Belgian midfielder they have the capability of breaking down any defence.
Erling Haaland scored his eighth hat-trick as he scored five at Kenilworth Road against Luton Town and his return to fitness and goalscoring form this month has come at the perfect time to give City momentum and strength going into the final 12 Premier League games of the season.
A concern for Guardiola this season is the defensive volatility at the back with Manchester City failing to keep a clean sheet in six of their last ten games and they have already conceded 26 goals. It has meant that they are not winning games with ease, creating a nervy atmosphere at the Etihad but what is crucial is that City have the winning mentality to always rebound and ensure they get the three points.
This weekend is a huge derby against Manchester United who are experiencing a recent renaissance since the new year, and in this heated rivalry form can go out of the window and it can become a very open game for the taking.
The Citizens have one of the toughest run-ins out of the three with Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal back to back, if these results go badly it could see them being in pole position for the title slip away or if they win it, they will cement their position as favourites.
Arsenal:
Arsenal have been overlooked all season as real title contenders, with their title bottling of last season at the firm forefront of peoples minds. However, after a blip over Christmas in which they lost three consecutive games including being knocked out of the FA Cup to Liverpool they have been ruthless in front of goal.
Arteta's side has scored 25 goals in their last six Premier League games including a historic 6-0 victory over London rivals West Ham and a very important 3-1 win over Liverpool which reinforced their seriousness in taking the title race to the very end.
They are undoubtedly the in form team at the moment, despite a shock loss in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Porto where they lost 1-0 to a 96th minute goal.
They face bottom of the table Sheffield United this Monday, with Bukayo Saka in the form of his life scoring seven goals in his last six Premier League matches. Arteta has created a well-oiled machine at the moment, possessing attacking fluidity and cohesion and there is a good atmosphere around the club and in the dressing room.
The summer arrival of Declan Rice for £100m, is finally paying dividends. He instils a foundation at the heart of the midfield which protects the defence and gives attacking freedom to creative players like Martin Odegaard and he has stepped up with some crucial goals in big moments for the club throughout this season.
The overarching question is consistency, can this Arsenal team learn from their mistakes last season and find a way to continue to win without imploding at the business end of the season. Their clash with Manchester City in two weeks time will show how much Arteta's team have improved on from last season and whether this season is theirs.
Written by Lewis Eadie
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