6 games in 2026 that could define Liverpool's season as Man Utd battle heats up

Liverpool faces a battle to secure a place in the Premier League's top four as we head into 2026, with the Reds looking set to fight it out with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United

Arne Slot and Liverpool faces a battle with Manchester United and others to claim a spot in the Premier League's top four(Image: Getty Images)

As Liverpool prepares to head into 2026, the Reds will know they have a battle on their hands in order to rescue what has been a disappointing season so far.

Having won the title in his first season in charge, Arne Slot is already having to face up to the reality that his side’s defense looks to be over. Sitting 10 points off Arsenal, just two games off the halfway point of the campaign, it would take a minor miracle for Liverpool to be back in the conversation to win the Premier League again.

The Reds will instead have to set their sights a little lower, but earning a spot in next season’s Champions League is a must - and that could lead to an almighty battle for the top four.

There is of course the chance that fifth could be enough to secure a spot at Europe’s top table if the Premier League earns an extra spot again this season, but that’s not a risk Liverpool should be taking.

Therefore, the Reds will need to make the most of their league fixtures in 2026, with some games immediately catching the eye as potentially defining for their season…

January 8 - Arsenal (A)

The year gets off to a bang as Liverpool travels to the current league leaders in just its third game of 2026.

As bad as the Reds have been at times this season, they do boast the honor of being one of only two teams to have beaten Arsenal so far - granted, that 1-0 win at Anfield, thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai's incredible free-kick, feels like a lifetime ago now.

Liverpool will be hoping to put a spanner in the works for Arsenal's title charge(Image: (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images))

Liverpool was sitting top of the table and looking like the firm favorite for back-to-back titles. Now, just earning a top-four spot feels like it would be a success.

Winning at the Emirates Stadium will be a tall order, but the Reds don't want to be losing too many points early on in the year. Plus, it would be somewhat entertaining to throw a spanner into the works for Mikel Arteta's title charge...

February 8 - Man City (H)

Talk about getting the big guns out of the way early. Just a month after facing the league leaders, Liverpool will be hosting their main rival for the title.

The Reds were thoroughly outclassed when they traveled to the Etihad in November, and this might be a good indicator of whether they've turned a corner, or if they're set for a very nervous last few months of the season.

You don't have to be a genius to work out what Manchester City's strengths are, but Pep Guardiola's side has shown over the last year or so that it is a lot more vulnerable than it has been during the Spaniard's tenure. What's more, it could be Pep's last visit to Anfield as City boss - one more meltdown from him would be warmly welcomed.

April 18 - Everton (A)

Derby day always has the potential to throw the form book out of the window, so no matter what position Everton is in come April, Liverpool needs to be wary. Last season's game at Goodison Park will have taught Slot that.

Of course, it will be a different kind of atmosphere as the Reds make their first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but it will be no less of a challenge - especially since, and say this quietly, the Toffees aren't a bad side this season under David Moyes.

We'll be getting into the business end of the season by this point though, so this is absolutely the sort of game Liverpool needs to be winning, especially with what's coming up the following month...

May 2 - Man Utd (A)

That defeat to Manchester United in October still stings. There's no doubt Ruben Amorim's side has improved - how could it not? - from last season, but the manner in which Liverpool drew level only to let Harry Maguire grab a late winner was so, so poor.

Liverpool will be hoping to get revenge for its defeat to Manchester United at Anfield(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

What better way to make up for that than a win in the Red Devils' own backyard? If things continue in the same vein this season, Liverpool might well need to take three points at Old Trafford.

As things stand, the Reds sit three points ahead of their great rivals in the race for the top four, so a victory in this game might well end United's hopes of reaching the Champions League, and set Liverpool up nicely for its next challenge...

May 9 - Chelsea (H)

Looking at the fixture list right now, the final month of the season does not look too kind for Liverpool. Having gone to Old Trafford the week before, the Reds will then have to host another of their rivals for the top four.

As things stand at the moment, goal difference is the only thing separating Chelsea and Liverpool, with the Blues holding the advantage currently.

Liverpool faces huge games against Chelsea and Aston Villa during the final month of the season(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

If that's still the case come May 9, then this one becomes a must-win for the hosts - although even a win against Enzo Maresca's side might not be enough, considering what's still to come...

May 17 - Aston Villa (A)

See what I mean about the fixture list not being kind? If Liverpool is to secure a top-four finish, then it needs to have found top gear in time for the final month of the season.

A trip to Aston Villa looks like an especially daunting prospect right now, given just how well Unai Emery's side is doing. Of course, things could change a lot by then, and who knows whether they will still be in with a shout of the title at this stage.

Either way, this really sets up what will be a fascinating end to the season. Even if Villa are out of contention for the title, they'll likely be in the running for the top four, if they haven't secured it already. Liverpool needs to bring its A-game to this one, and it might turn out to be a good opportunity for Harvey Elliott to get some revenge.