Premier League: City and Liverpool run ins compared with seven games left

Manchester City’s chances of matching Manchester United’s 1999 treble are over after defeat to Liverpool in the semi finals of the FA Cup, but the Reds’ aims of an unprecedented quadruple look increasingly likely. 

Jurgen Klopp’s side tore City apart in the first half of their Wembley encounter, with a goal from Ibrahima Konate and a Sadio Mane brace giving the Reds a 3-0 half-time lead.

Jack Grealish pulled one back shortly after half-time, before Bernardo Silva scored late on to set up a tense final few minutes.

Klopp’s side held on, though, to knock out their bitter rivals and keep the dream of winning four trophies very much alive.

Now, attention turns back to the Premier League, where a single point separates the two sides at the summit.

Here, we look at both City and Liverpool’s run ins, with just seven league matches remaining.

Gameweek 32

Manchester City v Brighton and Hove Albion

City have an extra day to prepare for their next league game on Wednesday, compared to Liverpool who play on Tuesday. Guardiola’s side have won 11 of their 15 home games this term, and have also outscored every other side on their own turf. Brighton, though, have pulled off some shock results this season, most recently beating Tottenham 1-0 on Saturday.

Liverpool v Manchester United

Manchester United could dent rivals Liverpool’s title hopes, or ruin neighbours City’s chances

Liverpool have a little over 72 hours between their semi-final with City and the visit of Manchester United to Anfield. Klopp’s side top the home table so far this season, having remained unbeaten and conceded just seven times in their 15 games at Anfield. They face a United side who have lost each of their last two away games.

Gameweek 33

Manchester City v Watford

One of the easiest games of City’s season on paper, Watford could be nine points from safety by the time they kick off at The Etihad. Roy Hodgson’s side slipped to another defeat against Brentford on Saturday, and it looks increasingly unlikely that they will avoid the drop.

Liverpool v Everton

Liverpool also face a struggling side next weekend, with the visit of Merseyside rivals Everton. Frank Lampard has guided the Toffees to just three wins from 10 league matches, and they are still far from safe. Everton won their last game at Anfield in February 2021, but hadn’t won in 23 previous visits to their rivals prior to that.

Gameweek 34

Leeds United v Manchester City

City’s next away game in the league will be a visit to Elland Road to face Leeds, a side whose recent revival has eased their relegation concerns. While not yet mathematically safe, the eight point cushion between the Whites and the drop zone seems likely to be enough to keep them up.

City face a trip to in-form Leeds on April 30.

Newcastle United v Liverpool

Liverpool also play their next away game on 30 November, travelling to the north east to face Newcastle. Another side who looked threatened by relegation a few months ago, the Magpies have lost just once at home in the league since the start of November, a 4-0 loss at the hands of City. They have also won each of their last five games at St James’ Park, and will provide a stern test for Klopp’s men.

Gameweek 35

Manchester City v Newcastle United

City also face Newcastle in the final weeks of the season, although the Magpies’ away form will encourage Guardiola. Eddie Howe’s side have lost each of their last three away matches in the league, a stark contract to their home form.

Liverpool face Tottenham on May 7.

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

One of the tougher encounters for Liverpool in the closing stages of the season, Klopp’s side will face a Spurs side who have improved dramatically in recent weeks. Before their defeat to Brighton on Saturday, Antonio Conte’s side had won four games in a row, scoring 14 goals in the process. Spurs held the Reds to a 2-2 draw back in December, and will be hopeful of avoiding defeat once again.

Gameweek 36

Wolves v Manchester City

City’s game against Wolves is yet to be rearranged, but they are currently not scheduled to play on the week of 9 May and the tie is most likely to be set for then. Wolves’ form has been inconsistent of late, winning eight and losing six of their last 14 games in the Premier League. The midlands club have caused problems for City in recent seasons, most notably when they completed the double over them during the 2019/20 campaign.

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Liverpool will travel to the midlands too during this gameweek, to face a Villa side now managed by one of the club’s greatest ever players, Steven Gerrard. The former England captain started strongly when taking over the reins at Villa Park, but the Villans’ form has dipped of late and Klopp will be confident of securing a result.

Gameweek 37

West Ham United v Manchester City

West Ham will provide a tough test for City on the penultimate weekend of the season

City’s final away game of the league season will be a trip to East London to face the Hammers. David Moyes’ side may well have a Europa League final just three days later to think about, if they can negotiate their way past German side Eintracht Frankfurt. Few could blame the Hammers for prioritising their European exploits in the final weeks of the season, especially if they are out of the race for the top four by then.

Southampton v Liverpool

The Reds travel to the south coast for their final away game of the campaign. Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all return to their former club, who may well have little to play for by then having secured their Premier League status earlier on this season.

Gameweek 38

Manchester City v Aston Villa

Villa have amassed more points from away games than home matches so far this term, despite losing ten of their 16 games. The Villans have drawn one of their last 12 games against City, losing the other 11, and few would bet against City extending Villa’s miserable run on the final day of the season.

Liverpool v Wolves

Wolves will be Liverpool’s opponents on the final day of the season.

Liverpool host Wolves on the final day of the season, and will expect to win regardless of the situation regarding the title. Klopp’s men haven’t lost at home in the league since March 2021, and have won 12 of their 15 games at Anfield this season.

With both sides facing four home games and three away matches in the final weeks of the season, there will likely be little to separate the two by 22 May. The possibility of a meeting in the Champions League final less than a week later could still happen, and it could well be City who stop Liverpool from doing the quadruple. While the Reds’ run in is arguably slightly more difficult, their recent form edges City’s, and they will undoubtedly be keen to continue that until May.