Liverpool next 5 games compared to Man Utd and Chelsea as Reds face tough run

Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League against Newcastle on Saturday, but Manchester United and Chelsea ensured the top four race remains the same

Liverpool remains in sixth despite picking up a first league win in six games(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool will be slightly disappointed to have finished the weekend in exactly the same place it started after a return to winning ways in the Premier League.

Saturday’s 4-1 win over Newcastle was a return to form for the Reds after picking up just four points from the previous five games, and Arne Slot’s side came so close to returning to the top four.

Had it not been for stoppage-time winners for both Manchester United and Chelsea against Fulham and West Ham respectively, Liverpool would be level with the former right now, while the latter would be lagging behind by a point.

As it is though, it’s the Reds that find themselves chasing their rivals, and the next few fixtures look set to really test their credentials for a place in next season’s Champions League…

Liverpool next five Premier League games

• Man City (H) - February 8
• Sunderland (A) - February 11
• Nottingham Forest (A) - February 22
• West Ham (H) - February 28
• Wolves (A) - March 3

Having returned to winning ways in the league, it's about to get even tougher for Liverpool. Next up is the visit of Manchester City, and while Pep Guardiola's side is certainly not the one of old, it's still a major test of the Reds' top four credibilities.

A trip to Sunderland is a daunting prospect as well, with the Black Cats the only side to remain unbeaten at home this season. A break for the FA Cup follows before heading to Nottingham Forest, with Sean Dyche's side having already humiliated Liverpool at home this season.

Thereafter, things do get a little easier, or at least on paper they do, as the Reds host West Ham before heading to Wolves, who look to be all but relegated already. Those next three games though could prove crucial.

Man Utd next five Premier League games

• Tottenham (H) - February 7
• West Ham (A) - February 10
• Everton (A) - February 23
• Crystal Palace (H) - March 1
• Newcastle (A) - March 4

Rather worryingly for Liverpool, Michael Carrick seems to have revitalized Manchester United. The weekend win over Fulham feels like it would have been a slip-up for Ruben Amorim after conceding twice late on.

Looking at the respective fixture lists, the Red Devils may have the chance to pull away from their rivals over the next few games, although trips to Everton and Newcastle may prove tricky.

United also has the advantage of only having the Premier League to focus on now. Liverpool needs to make sure it's at least still within touching distance of its rival by the end of this run.

Manchester United currently occupies fourth place in the Premier League(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Chelsea next five Premier League games

• Wolves (A) - February 7
• Leeds (H) - February 10
• Burnley (H) - February 21
• Arsenal (A) - March 1
• Aston Villa (A) - March 4

Like Carrick, new Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has enjoyed a winning start in the league, and looking at its next three fixtures, it certainly shouldn't be dropping points this month.

Things do get considerably tougher for the Blues in March though, starting off with trips to Arsenal and Aston Villa, which Liverpool and United will no doubt be looking at as opportunities to potentially create some space between themselves and Rosenior's side.

Chelsea also has a Carabao Cup semi-final to contend with this week, as well as an FA Cup fourth round tie at Hull between the games against Leeds and Burnley, which will test its new boss as he juggles his squad.