Liverpool must avoid complacency and secure the Premier League title in their next three favourable fixtures, Reds expert David Lynch has insisted.
The Merseysiders are set to play 16th-placed West Ham United on Sunday afternoon at Anfield in the top flight, and a victory would put Arne Slot's team within two wins of claiming the title.
The Reds' next three fixtures look straightforward on paper given they face 19th-placed Leicester City away from home on April 20 after their game against West Ham, followed by a home match against Tottenham Hotspur on April 27.
Lynch argued that Slot's side must make the most of their next three matches before a difficult end of the season, telling Sports Mole: "It looks like three winnable games coming up, and you cannot take anything for granted in the Premier League, but surely these are games that Liverpool should be winning and will be confident of doing so?
"I watched Leicester against Newcastle and, wow. They are incredibly poor. The only thing I can't believe about Leicester is that they have more points than Southampton because, for me, they've been the worst side in the Premier League this season. It's pretty remarkable how bad they are.
"Liverpool at home are a different prospect and should be winning those [games at Anfield]. Tottenham are Tottenham, so it feels like a big game, but they've had a really poor season. This is an opportunity - if you win these next three, it's done."
Liverpool face Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace in their final four fixtures of the season, so ensuring that they do not need any points from those difficult games would help settle any remaining nerves amongst fans.
The threat of West Ham United
Slot has already faced West Ham twice this season, winning 5-1 at Anfield on September 25 in the EFL Cup before emerging as 5-0 victors in the league on December 29.
Despite this, current Hammers boss Graham Potter is unbeaten in his last three Premier League games at Anfield, and he could become the first manager to avoid defeat in four successive away fixtures at Liverpool since Sam Allardyce from 2016 to 2020.
Lynch told Sports Mole that the visitors could pose a challenge to the Reds' defence when he said: "Results have been okay since Graham Potter's come in, and I think I'm right in saying he's never been beaten at Anfield as well, which I don't want to worry anyone, but that's an interesting statistic, isn't it?
"But of course, you have to say as well, West Ham have got some quality players. Look at Paqueta, Bowen, players like that. They've got quality all the way throughout the team and it just emphasises how good the Premier League is. That's the team that's sitting in 16th and had a bit of a shocking season, but they've got that level of player amongst them."
West Ham have scored in five of their past six matchups against Liverpool, with four of the sides' last seven clashes at Anfield decided by a single goal.
© Imago
Why Liverpool should still win
Though West Ham could threaten at times, Liverpool should still be seen as clear favourites to achieve victory given the sizeable gap in performance levels this season.
The Reds' tally of 73 points is 41 more than the Hammers, while they have also scored 37 more goals (72) and conceded 22 fewer (30).
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch argued that Slot's side will be keen to prove their quality following their 3-2 defeat against Fulham last Sunday, saying: "Liverpool have done well to avoid more off days against this type of opposition. But of course, Liverpool coming off the back of a defeat, it's Anfield - they'll be absolutely determined to put that right.
"The crowd will be well up for it because everybody acknowledges that we need to just get this over the line now. You would absolutely back Liverpool to win in those circumstances, and as good as West Ham are, Liverpool have got every motivation to be at their absolute best and get another three points on the board which will move them a step closer to winning the title. I would expect them to win and be confident about that."
Liverpool have only lost once at Anfield in the Premier League all season, and they come into Sunday's clash having won 11 of their past 13 league matches at home, including each of their last five.
Lewis Nolan
