Liverpool is about to get a golden opportunity Arne Slot simply can't pass up

Liverpool has a defining period approaching, with Arne Slot's side set to face a run of very winnable fixtures at the same time that Chelsea has a series of tough games

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images)

Defining exactly what would represent success for Liverpool from this point in the season is tricky.

While the Premier League title has long gone, the FA Cup and the Champions League are still there for the taking, as hard as it might be to make the case for Liverpool going all the way in either tournament, the way it is currently playing. Meanwhile, finishing inside the top five spots is a must.

Would qualifying for the top-tier European competition be enough? Moving forward, regardless of silverware, Arne Slot's team must also use the rest of this season to inject some more positivity ahead of the next one, teeing itself up to start again in August — with two or three additions — in a better place.

And as part of that, ensuring that it is in the Champions League, and not the Europa League, is of the utmost importance for multiple reasons — partly financial, and partly because of the prestige.

If Liverpool is to qualify for UEFA's top competition, the next handful of fixtures are likely to be defining. And, starting with West Ham United at Anfield this weekend, the Reds really need to put together a string of strong performances to make results feel sustainable.

After taking on West Ham, Liverpool has Wolves, Tottenham, Brighton, Fulham and then a first trip to Everton's new stadium. Even a team far from in title contention should be winning five of those six.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images)

Beyond that point, there are only five more league games remaining in the season, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa. Quite simply, the Reds have to put the points on the board before then.

Chelsea, in contrast to that relatively kind run for Liverpool, has a dire-looking run of games coming up, off the back of disappointing draws against Leeds United and then Burnley.

Next weekend, Chelsea goes to Arsenal. It then has Aston Villa and Newcastle United, either side of a tricky-looking Hollywood FA Cup tie with Wrexham.

After Newcastle, Chelsea has Everton, Manchester City and then Manchester United — a tricky run for anyone, even before factoring in a Champions League last-16 tie against one of Newcastle or PSG.

Though Manchester United, even after a resurgence under Michael Carrick, is far from perfect, its lack of games — only having the Premier League fixtures to compete in — is a massive advantage.

Under Unai Emery, meanwhile, Aston Villa is flawed and lacking depth relative to the number of fixtures that it will face, but is likely too far ahead to be caught.

If Liverpool is to make the Champions League places by the end of the season, finishing ahead of Chelsea is its most realistic ambition. The next five or six games are about to determine whether it is possible.