April 27, 2025 should be a date that goes down in Liverpool folklore, as the Reds need just one point against Tottenham Hotspur to be absolutely sure of the 2024-25 Premier League title.
Arne Slot's men will be crowned champions so long as they do not suffer a shock Anfield defeat to the Lilywhites, who have bigger fish to fry in Europe and cannot end the top-flight season soon enough.
Match preview
© Imago
Wednesday night reportedly saw Liverpool players gather for an Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace viewing party, where defeat for the Gunners would have triggered wild celebrations on the red half of Merseyside, but a 2-2 draw was enough to keep the 'fight' going a little while longer.
However, Arsenal should only be in with the most minimal mathematical chance of glory for another 48 hours, as if Liverpool avoid losing to the Gunners' North London rivals on Sunday, they will finally have a Premier League title to celebrate in front of the Kop.
The Anfield stands were empty when the Merseyside mammoths finally conquered the land again during the COVID days of 2020, but Liverpool fans will soon be able to parade around their inflatable trophies as the players kiss the real one, thanks partly to a leaving local lad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's deflected volley was enough to take down doomed Leicester City over the Easter weekend, meaning that unless Liverpool lose each of their last five games and Arsenal win each of their final four matches, Slot will become just the fifth man to win the Premier League in his first season in English football.
Only Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Manuel Pellegrini and Antonio Conte have ever managed that magnificent feat previously, and having overseen a 14-game unbeaten Premier League run at Anfield - including six wins from their last six - Slot can surely afford to wear a 'champions' t-shirt under his regular attire.
© Imago
Sitting a staggering 42 points worse off in the Premier League table, Tottenham have nothing but personal pride on the line for the remainder of the Premier League season and can once again do their bit to kill off the fleeting title dreams of North London rivals Arsenal.
Ange Postecoglou could hardly believe his eyes when a portion of Spurs fans cheered Manchester City's triumph over them last year, as that result all but ended the Gunners' pursuit of glory, and it will be utterly fascinating to see whether some of the Lilywhites faithful celebrate in the same manner if their side come out second best here.
While Spurs were challenging for the top four at this stage last year, the visitors' astonishing fall from grace means that avoiding a 17th-placed finish is the ultimate goal for the final five games, as Monday's 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest marked their fourth loss from their last five top-flight outings.
However, Tottenham fans should not be losing sleep over Premier League performances while there is a Europa League trophy to be won; they host Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their semi-final next Thursday and could battle Athletic Bilbao or Manchester United for the cup if they navigate their way past the Norwegians.
By turning the EFL Cup semi-final on its head at home, Liverpool have avoided defeat in each of their last 15 Anfield contests against Tottenham - winning each of their last three and netting four goals on each occasion - so Arsenal should not bank on their bitterest rivals to prolong the title 'race' any longer.
Team News
© Imago
Only two Liverpool players will not be able to take part in Sunday's season-defining contest, as Joe Gomez is working his way back from a hamstring operation but could return before the end of the season, while Tyler Morton's shoulder is still giving him grief too.
The champions-elect are well-stocked otherwise, and Slot will surely welcome Real Madrid-bound Alexander-Arnold back to the XI with open arms after his winner - and subsequent wild celebrations - at the King Power Stadium.
Mohamed Salah still needs just three more goal involvements to break the all-time Premier League record for a single season, but the electrifying Egyptian is on a four-game scoring drought in the competition, his longest of the campaign.
However, facing Spurs often brings out the best in the 32-year-old, who has scored 15 goals against the Lilywhites in all tournaments down the years, making them his second-favourite opponent only behind Manchester United (16).
On Tottenham's side, Postecoglou's squad is in good nick barring long-term ACL absentee Radu Dragusin and Son Heung-min, who is still rehabilitating from a foot injury and will not be involved at Anfield.
Destiny Udogie was a notable absentee from the matchday squad against Forest, but the Italy international was simply rested after his Europa League exertions against Eintracht Frankfurt, as were James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson from the first whistle.
However, Postecoglou ought to revert to his strongest XI to face the strongest team in the land on Sunday, where Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will be fine to pair up again after precautionary withdrawals last time out.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Johnson
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We say: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Any Gooners pledging allegiance to Tottenham for a couple of hours should not get their hopes up, although all those associated with Arsenal surely gave up any chance of a phenomenal title comeback a while ago.
As Spurs are prioritising the Europa League and have been nothing but abysmal domestically this term, a full-strength Liverpool should have no problem easing to the win that will confirm what has been inevitable for some time.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
