Danny Murphy and Tim Sherwood have both warned Arsenal that Liverpool have a more favourable run of fixtures in the forthcoming weeks
Liverpool might have dropped points in their last two away games, but they are now eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Arne Slot’s side extended their advantage over second-placed Arsenal courtesy of their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
However, the Gunners now boast a game-in-hand on the Reds and will be looking to close the gap this weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side host West Ham United on Saturday while Liverpool travel to reigning Premier League champions Man City.
The Reds’ trip to the Etihad will be the fourth in a tricky run of five Premier League fixtures in just 15 days, which has seen a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers sandwiched between draws with Everton and Villa.
Liverpool are back at Anfield next Wednesday when they host Newcastle United. But then a home clash with Southampton on March 8 will act as their own Premier League game until they face Everton at Anfield on April 2.
In contrast, Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest and Manchester United before hosting Chelsea and Fulham. They then travel to Everton themselves on April 5.
With four of their next six league matches coming in front of their own fans, both former Liverpool star Danny Murphy and ex Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tim Sherwood are adamant the Reds have a favourable fixture list compared to Arsenal as both sides prepare for the run-in.
“I think if you look at it, Liverpool have got four home games out of the next six. And Anfield’s a fortress,” Murphy said to the Premier League. “I would rather have four home games from the next six than three and three, which Arsenal have got.
“And of course, two of them are at Forest and Man United. Now you could argue going Man United has been an easy ride for a lot of teams recently but they showed against the bigger teams, they’ll put up a fight.
They went to Arsenal and won in the cup, so I think although Liverpool have got City at the weekend, I’d rather have those six games than Arsenal’s.”
Meanwhile, Sherwood warned Arsenal that sides will looking to ‘spoil’ their season as the Gunners prepare for a number of London derbies in the remaining weeks of the season.
“I look at Arsenal’s fixtures and their home games are London derbies,” he pointed out. “We know how difficult it is, we both played in London derbies.
Even if it is not your main rival, it’s very difficult because they take a big following away with them and there is always a rivalry. Especially the Chelsea game.
“Chelsea can hurt anyone on their day. They’re not having a good time of it at the moment, but these teams, when I played in a side that was going to a club who were chasing for the title, no matter who it would be, it was something extra.
“You want to be a party pooper, as sad as it might sound. It might be the only thing left in your season, is to try and spoil someone else’s.
The fans of Chelsea, Fulham and West Ham, they’ll want to spoil Arsenal. They won’t want Arsenal to win the Premier League.”
