Liverpool's next 5 fixtures compared to Chelsea and Man Utd after Sunderland win

Liverpool's next five Premier League fixtures compared to Chelsea and Man Utd after Wednesday night's win over Sunderland, with Arne Slot's chances of making the Champions League growing

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Liverpool moved within two points of the Champions League places by beating Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, but there is more work to be done for Arne Slot and his players.

Speaking afterwards, Slot conceded he felt there was more to come from his team, saying: "I think we had the biggest chance in the extra time with Mo Salah and a few other moments, but at least to see how we defended because there were a few times that we had to throw our bodies in front of the ball.

"I think Wata [Endo] — I picked him out because he had the injury. He stayed on the pitch with the injury he got and challenged for another — in a set-piece — for another duel.

"That mentality I saw throughout the whole team. Ibou [Konate] played a great game against [Brian] Brobbey, who is always difficult to play against.

"Mo was working, doing his work off the ball a lot. Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] had a few very important tackles, but it was also really helpful that our fans were so loud.

"This stadium is, of course, known for the home fans, but I think the away fans tonight were incredible as well, especially in the last 20 minutes — throughout the whole game, but especially in the last 20 minutes when the team needed them."

Arne Slot gestures from the touchline during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at the Stadium of Light(Image: ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images)

What next? Liverpool has an FA Cup tie against Brighton at the weekend before it then gets back to Premier League action, with only 12 more fixtures to play this season. Here's how the next five fixtures compare.

Liverpool's next five Premier League games: Nottingham Forest (A), West Ham (H), Wolves (A), Tottenham (H), Brighton (A)

Liverpool.com says: With Sean Dyche having been fired, the Reds will once again come up against a new manager bounce. However, there are some very winnable games in the next run. If the Reds play as they did against Sunderland, they should win at least four of their next five.

Manchester United's next five games: Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Newcastle (A), Aston Villa (H), Bournemouth (A)

Liverpool.com says: For Manchester United, the aim should be to win the majority of these games. But as it showed against West Ham earlier this week, not everything is suddenly fixed because of Michael Carrick.

Things can change quickly. With only one game per week, however, the Old Trafford outfit does have a major advantage in the race as a result of not being in European or domestic competitions.

Chelsea's next five games: Burnley (H), Arsenal (A), Aston Villa (A), Newcastle (H), Everton (A)

Liverpool.com says: Chelsea should beat Burnley but then it should have beaten Leeds United, especially from a position of being 2-0 up. Games against Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Newcastle are particularly difficult in this run.