Liverpool's next 5 Premier League games compared to Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa

Liverpool has moved itself back into proper Champions League contention with an upturn in form, and it has a favorable run of fixtures coming up over the Christmas period

Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery and Arne Slot.(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool is heading in the right direction again under Arne Slot, with the Reds holding on for a win over Tottenham this weekend. That was an important three points, even if it came at a cost.

Alexander Isak could now be out for a lengthy spell and Conor Bradley limped off too. Liverpool is, at least, back in the Champions League spots, level on points with Chelsea in fourth.

How does its upcoming run compare to those at the top (Manchester City and Arsenal) and those hoping to catapult themselves into contention (Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester United)? We've taken a look.

Liverpool's next five: Wolves (H), Leeds United (H), Fulham (A), Arsenal (A), Burnley (H)

The trip to the Emirates Stadium is clearly the toughest test, but Liverpool should be winning all of the other four matches, particularly those that are at Anfield.

Over the festive period, Liverpool couldn't have asked for much more, really. It has two games at home, against two teams likely to get relegated. It simply has to take advantage.

Arsenal's next five: Brighton (H), Aston Villa (H), Bournemouth (A), Liverpool (H), Nottingham Forest (A)

Still 10 points ahead of Liverpool, the Reds can't afford to be looking too far ahead in the Premier League title race. There are some tests coming up, though.

You can make an argument for Arsenal dropping points in each of the next five games. Even if it did in one or two, the Premier League table would start to look very different.

Mikel Arteta, head coach of Arsenal, following the Premier League match at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images

Manchester City's next five: Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (H), Brighton (H), Manchester United (A)

Eight points above Liverpool, Manchester City probably has an easier run than Arsenal coming up. There will be challenges along the way, though, with two away games in succession to start with.

Manchester United's next five: Newcastle (H), Wolves (H), Leeds United (A), Burnley (A), Man City (H)

With three winnable games in succession in the middle, the tough ones here are Newcastle and the Manchester derby. Ruben Amorim's side could be without Bruno Fernandes after he went off with an injury against Aston Villa, however.

Liverpool is already three points ahead of Manchester United, and Arne Slot's men should be looking to further that deficit as we move into 2026.

Chelsea's next five: Aston Villa (H), Bournemouth (H), Man City (A), Fulham (A), Brentford (H)

Possibly the hardest team to predict in the Premier League, Enzo Maresca has so many good players to work with, but is still lacking a couple of key signings to transform his team into a title contender.

Games with Aston Villa and Manchester City will be difficult. The rest should see three points being collected, but with Chelsea, you can never be completely sure.

Aston Villa's next five: Chelsea (A), Arsenal (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H)

Is Unai Emery's team in the Premier League title race? It seems unlikely, though it should be in the conversation for the top four or five places — qualification for the Champions League.