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Three season-defining matches in the space of a month for Liverpool’s top four battle

Lilly Edwards

With most pundits’ focus firmly on the World Cup in Qatar, Premier League managers up and down the country will already be preparing for the league’s restart after the international break. Jurgen Klopp will be no exception, as Liverpool faces three key matches in the space of a month that could define their season.

Chelsea (H) – 21 January

Despite the Reds’ slow start to the campaign, Liverpool’s odds of winning the Premier League stand at 33/1 for users partaking in football betting today, although a serious test will come three weeks into the new year.

New Chelsea boss Graham Potter saw his form dip dramatically before the international break, with the Blues winless in their last five matches, setting a new club record. Nevertheless, the aid of a few weeks’ break and the return from injury for some of their key players will give Chelsea a real chance when Liverpool faces them on January 21st. The Reds do have the upper hand in recent meetings between the two teams, though, having won six of their last ten meetings in all competitions, compared to Chelsea’s two.

Klopp will also welcome back Luis Diaz from injury and will have a refreshed squad with the likes of Mo Salah, Thiago and Roberto Firmino not featuring in Qatar, meaning anything less than three points will not be an option for his side.

Everton (H) – 11 February

While not necessarily an important match in terms of a top-four battle, the Merseyside Derby always has high stakes around it. For the winner, it means bragging rights of the city and a huge boost going into the second half of the season. For the loser, it can de-rail any previous form and set the team on a downward trajectory. For that reason, and for the home crowd that will be behind them, Klopp will be hoping his side take all three points on February 11th.

Going into the winter break, the odds appear to be stacked in Liverpool’s favour. Everton won just one game in the space of seven Premier League matchups, their most recent coming in an abysmal 3-0 loss away to Bournemouth which even saw fans throw away players’ shirts in protest. Like Potter, under pressure, Frank Lampard will likely use the break to his advantage, although any continuation of his side’s stuttering pre-tournament form is set to be punished by Klopp’s side.

Newcastle (A) – 18 February

Interestingly, a fixture against Newcastle in seasons gone by would have been seen as a routine win for Liverpool. This campaign, however, Eddie Howe’s side – backed with a seemingly endless pit of Saudi cash – is a different beast. Going into the international break, the Magpies sat in third with an impressive eight points between them and Klopp’s side. If their early season form continues to the game on February 18th, they could prove a stumbling block to Liverpool’s progress this season.

Buoyed by the raucous atmosphere of St. James’ Park, even a misfiring Newcastle will be able to cause Liverpool problems. They were resolute at home to Chelsea in their last league match before the World Cup, snatching a 1-0 victory and securing their fifth straight win in a row, which also included a Tottenham Hotspur scalp. Make no mistake, this fixture will be the toughest on this list, meaning a win could catapult Klopp’s side into top-four contention.

Of course, a lot can change in a season, and few leagues are more unpredictable than the Premier League. That means there will be tough tests outside of these three fixtures, although wins against these sides will stand Liverpool in good stead as they chase the Champions League places.