Mikel Arteta's in-form Arsenal can already see glory at the end of the road to their first Premier League title in nearly 20 years, but the danger remains lurking and next Sunday's trip for Liverpool is the first of a string of crucial title fixtures.
Arsenal, who are 8 points top of the Premier League, must also visit defending champions Manchester City and Newcastle United, and host Chelsea, but the immediate priority will be to address their recent unfortunate record at Anfield.
Here's how the #PL table looks at the end of Matchweek 29 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wpwfzTdlp8
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 5, 2023
Liverpool have won their last six home league meetings with Arsenal, scoring at least 6 goals each time.
Jurgen Klopp's side are in eighth place, facing the prospect of missing out on European competitions next season, and are not the strong team they once were, but they are still more than capable of stopping Arsenal's march towards the title.
With second-placed Manchester City facing bottom-placed Southampton on Saturday, the gap is likely to be reduced to 5 points, which seems to be a motivation for Arsenal's players, but defeat will put the title race in the hands of City, who have played a game less than Arteta's side.
Arsenal have already silenced skeptics who thought they could collapse when they lost to Manchester City in London in February.
Since then, the Londoners have won seven consecutive league games, although not against a team of Liverpool's calibre. Two league wins in a single season over Liverpool would also be Arsenal's first since 2010, giving them a huge psychological boost.
📺 BENCH CAM is here...
All the goals, celebrations and reactions to our victory over Leeds United at Emirates Stadium 🏟️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 4, 2023
Neville: If Arsenal win at Anfield, they will be crowned champions
Gary Neville, a former multi-time Manchester United champion, told Sky Sports about the match: "I think if Arsenal win at Anfield, it's a tough test for me. If you go and win at Anfield, I think Arsenal will definitely win the league."
City may also have their sights set on next week's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich, but they will continue to chase Arsenal and will hope to control their fate until the two sides meet in Manchester on April 26.
City have lost just once in their last 13 league games to Southampton, who are likely to play in the second division next season.
The battle to finish in the Golden Square swung too much between Newcastle United and Manchester United on Wednesday, with both three points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have played a game more.
Newcastle thrashed West Ham 5-1 but will face a tougher test when they return to the capital to face ninth-placed Brentford on Saturday, while Manchester United face Everton, clinging to a place just above the relegation zone.
🎯 Maxi's cross
👌 Wilson's header@CallumWilson getting the ball rolling last night! 🕺 pic.twitter.com/RMlaGRMKjH
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 6, 2023
For Tottenham, time is running out as they try to end a turbulent season in the top four and only victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, who dream of playing in Europe, will rekindle any hope among fans tired of waiting.
The relegation battle is poised to be one of the toughest ever in the Lights League, with nine clubs at risk of relegation.
.@JulioEnciso33’s first #PL goal! 💎🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/gdTnM00QWE
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) April 5, 2023
Leicester City, whose manager Brendan Rodgers sacked on Sunday, are in penultimate place with 25 points and will play a "must-win" game against 18th-placed Bournemouth in the first relegation places on Saturday.
Bournemouth are one of four clubs with 4 points, the others being Nottingham Forest, Everton and West Ham United.
Forest, who are winless in eight games, will go to rejuvenated Aston Villa, while West Ham play at Fulham.
14th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers host Chelsea with Frank Lampard returning as caretaker manager following the sacking of Graham Potter.