Just 12 days ago, Liverpool was 12 points behind Manchester City, albeit with two games in hand.
Many predicted the title race was over, but that is not the case today, following Liverpool’s scintillating 6-0 thrashing of Leeds on Thursday morning.
There are still plenty of twists and turns in the English Premier League, with about a quarter of the season remaining. But the gap at the top has been cut to just three, and Liverpool now has a vastly better goal difference.
Both teams have 12 matches left.
City is still the favourite. Make no mistake about that. It also has to play Liverpool at home on April 10 (11.30pm), knowing a draw could be enough to hold off the Reds.
The Citizens can put the pressure back on Liverpool this weekend against relegation-threatened Everton on Sunday (1.30am).
On paper, City should be able to beat a side that has lost four of its last five matches, and return six points clear at the top.
Liverpool does not have a league game as it faces Chelsea in the League Cup final on Monday (12.30am).
At this stage of the season, it is better to have points than games in hand, and you can expect City to pile on the pressure after last week’s last-gasp defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Fourth-placed Manchester United, four points behind Chelsea having played a game more, can reduce that deficit with a home game against Watford.
United is coming into form but must be wary of fifth-placed Arsenal as the London club is a point behind on 45, having played 24 games to United’s 26.
Down at the bottom, Norwich returned to the foot of the table after losing its last two matches.
It has 17 points, one less than Watford, with both teams having played 25 games.
Burnley stunned Tottenham 1-0 on Thursday morning but remained 18th on 20 points from 23 games.
Newcastle is next, with 22 points from 24 games. Everton also has 22 points but has played a game less.
Leeds remain in danger with 23 points from 25 games, while Brentford (24), Aston Villa (27) and Leicester (27) are far from safe.
FIXTURES (Malaysian time)
PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY
Southampton vs Norwich (4am)
Leeds vs Tottenham (8.30pm)
Brentford vs Newcastle (11pm)
Crystal Palace vs Burnley (11pm)
Brighton vs Aston Villa (11pm)
Manchester United vs Watford (11pm)
SUNDAY
Everton vs Manchester City (1.30am)
West Ham vs Wolves (10pm)
LEAGUE CUP FINAL
MONDAY
Chelsea vs Liverpool (12.30am)
