Is there any optimism for competitors Arsenal and Chelsea regarding the fixture schedule in December?
**‘No One Has to Feel Sorry for Pep’ – Slot on Why He Doesn’t Sympathise with Guardiola**
As December approaches, Liverpool find themselves perched at the pinnacle of the Premier League, much like the star atop a Christmas tree. Under the astute management of Arne Slot, the Reds have established a commanding nine-point lead over second-placed Arsenal following a convincing 2-0 victory against Manchester City at Anfield.
Liverpool’s form has been nothing short of sensational, with 11 wins from their first 13 league matches this season. Over the past month, they have triumphed over formidable opponents such as Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, all while maintaining a clean sheet.
However, as the festive fixture list looms, there is a glimmer of hope for Liverpool’s rivals, who may see opportunities to close the gap. Let’s delve into the challenges that await Liverpool this December.
**Liverpool’s December Fixtures**
The Reds face a packed schedule this month, with eight matches across three competitions. In the Premier League, they will take on Newcastle (December 4), Everton (December 7), Fulham (December 14), Tottenham (December 22), Leicester (December 26), and West Ham (December 29).
Additionally, Liverpool will clash with Girona in the UEFA Champions League on December 10 and face Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on December 18. Notably, five of their next six fixtures are away from Anfield, with home games only against Fulham and Leicester.
**Upcoming Matches:**
– **Newcastle (A)** – December 4, Premier League
– **Everton (A)** – December 7, Premier League
– **Girona (A)** – December 10, UEFA Champions League
– **Fulham (H)** – December 14, Premier League
– **Southampton (A)** – December 18, EFL Cup
– **Tottenham (A)** – December 22, Premier League
– **Leicester (H)** – December 26, Premier League
– **West Ham (A)** – December 29, Premier League
**Potential Pitfalls for Liverpool**
Liverpool’s recent performance against Manchester City was so impressive that Pep Guardiola himself labelled them “unstoppable” during the early stages of the match. Yet, rivals such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and even City will be hoping to exploit any slip-ups from the Merseysiders in the coming weeks.
The first test of December will be a midweek trip to Newcastle, followed by a highly anticipated Merseyside derby against Everton on December 7. This match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+. The Toffees will be eager to thwart Liverpool’s title ambitions in what will be the last-ever derby at Goodison Park before they move to a new stadium next season. It’s worth noting that Everton triumphed 2-0 in their last encounter back in April 2024.
Another crucial fixture for Liverpool will be their visit to Tottenham on December 22, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat last season. Adding to their challenges, defenders Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are expected to miss several weeks due to injury, alongside Kostas Tsimikas, which could impact their defensive stability.
**Arsenal and Chelsea’s December Fixtures**
Arsenal will be looking to capitalise on any potential Liverpool slip-ups this month. The Gunners have a relatively favourable schedule, with no matches against top-eight sides. Their toughest challenge appears to be a home clash with Manchester United on December 4, while they will also travel to Fulham on December 8 and Crystal Palace on December 21.
Chelsea, on the other hand, face a demanding run of three consecutive away games against Southampton (December 4), Tottenham (December 8), and Astana (December 12) in the UEFA Conference League. They will return home to face Brentford on December 15 before concluding the month with matches against Everton, Fulham, and Ipswich.
**When Do Liverpool Face Their Title Rivals?**
Liverpool will not meet their closest title challengers until later in the season. They are set to travel to Chelsea on May 3, followed by a home fixture against Arsenal the following week. A clash with Manchester City is scheduled for February 22, while the new year will kick off with a home game against Manchester United on January 5.
**Slot: Let’s Not Get Carried Away**
Entering December, Liverpool are brimming with confidence after back-to-back 2-0 victories over Real Madrid and Manchester City. However, Slot has urged caution, reminding his players that the title race is far from over.
“We’re really happy with these two wins, but we also understand we want to achieve more than this,” Slot stated. “If you want to win anything, it’s all about consistency. Teams like Real Madrid and City are capable of matching our winning streak, so let’s not get carried away by a few wins.”
He added, “It has been a good week, but let’s not get too carried away… I saw Arsenal beat West Ham 5-2, and City will come back. Arsenal and City are capable of winning every game from now until the end. Chelsea can do the same. That’s what makes the Premier League so interesting.”
As the festive season approaches, all eyes will be on Liverpool to see if they can maintain their momentum and fend off the challenges from their rivals.