Liverpool next 5 fixtures compared to Chelsea and Man Utd after missing huge Leeds chance

Liverpool missed a key opportunity to boost its top four hopes in the Premier League, with the Reds still just three points ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United

Liverpool missed a big opportunity against Leeds(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool missed a big opportunity to claim a major advantage in the race for the Premier League’s top four after being held to a goalless draw by Leeds on New Year’s Day.

The Reds made a disappointing start to 2026 as they had to settle for a point for the second time this season against Daniel Farke’s side. Although Hugo Ekitike felt he should have been awarded a penalty during the first half, Liverpool ultimately didn’t do enough to win the game.

And that may well prove pivotal in the race for the top four after Chelsea and Manchester United also dropped points this week, with Arne Slot’s side failing to take advantage as their lead over their rivals remains at three points.

The race for what could be the final Champions League spot will no doubt take more twists and turns as the season goes on, and after a dramatic week at Stamford Bridge, the next few weeks could be crucial for all three sides…

Liverpool next five Premier League fixtures

• Fulham (A) - January 4
• Arsenal (A) - January 8
• Burnley (H) - January 17
• Bournemouth (A) - January 24
• Newcastle (H) - January 31

Having missed the chance to go five points clear of Chelsea and United, Liverpool will hope to get back to winning ways against Fulham on Sunday.

Getting three points from that first trip to London could be hugely important considering the Reds then have to visit the current leaders just four days later, and that looks an even more daunting prospect after the Gunners' impressive 4-1 win over Aston Villa this week.

Things do get a little easier thereafter on paper at least. Liverpool will certainly be expected to beat Burnley at Anfield, while Bournemouth and Newcastle have been struggling of late, and those are the sorts of games the Reds need to be winning if they're to secure a place in the top four.

Chelsea next five Premier League fixtures

• Man City (A) - January 4
• Fulham (A) - January 7
• Brentford (H) - January 17
• Crystal Palace (A) - January 25
• West Ham (H) - January 31

After Enzo Maresca's firing on New Year's Day, who knows what sort of Chelsea we'll be seeing for the remainder of the season. It's certainly interesting timing from the Blues, with a trip to Manchester City up next.

Enzo Maresca has been fired by Chelsea(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Just one win in the last seven league games proved to be Maresca's downfall, and whoever follows him will have a tricky task to get Chelsea's top four bid back on track, especially with a Carabao Cup semi-final and Champions League commitments to deal with as well.

The fixture list has been relatively kind in that the Blues won't have to leave London for any of their following four league games after the trip to City, but a response will be needed now that Maresca's gone.

Man Utd next five Premier League fixtures

• Leeds (A) - January 4
• Burnley (A) - January 7
• Man City (H) - January 17
• Arsenal (A) - January 25
• Fulham (H) - February 1

Speaking of managers under pressure, the heat has been turned up on Ruben Amorim again after United's draw at home to Wolves this week, with fans making their feelings clear at Old Trafford as they booed their side at full-time.

Amorim will need to come up with a response at Leeds on Sunday, and as Liverpool found out, that could be a tricky task. If the Red Devils are to stay in the running though, they're likely to need wins at both Elland Road and Burnley.

Back-to-back games against Manchester City and Arsenal certainly isn't what you want when you're under pressure, and you wonder that the future might hold for Amorim if his side falls out of contention after the next four games.