SIX points clear with a game in hand.
Surely only complacency can prevent Liverpool from walking away with the Prem crown?
Another win on Tuesday night and Prem bosses can start planning the title ceremony on May 25.
Yet Arne Slot and his men go to the City Ground while questions are suddenly asked.
And if Nuno Espirito Santo's side can repeat their shock win at Anfield in September, alarm bells could start ringing.
Liverpool were imperious in the Christmas fixtures, building on the impressive early foundations of the club's new era.
Hitting Spurs for six was a letdown for Ange Postecoglou's side, even though Slot will not have been impressed by the three goals his side conceded.
Then an ultimately comfortable home win over Leicester was followed by another capital day in the capital, crushing West Ham by five – by a margin that could easily have been doubled.
Those wins ensured Arsenal's return to winning ways in their own run of matches kept Liverpool's cushion at the top of the pile.
And when the Gunners dropped two points at Brighton on Saturday night – courtesy of Joao Pedro's penalty decision that certainly divided opinion – Liverpool had the chance to really make them pay when they hosted a Manchester United side seemingly already picked and ready was to travel to Anfield. for the oven.
Only it didn't work that way.
Liverpool delivered perhaps their worst performance of the season, but were fortunate that Harry Maguire did not take all three points deep in stoppage time.
Fans' dissatisfaction with Trent Alexander-Arnold's apparent signing has left some home supporters venting at the England right-back, while doubts over the long-term futures of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will remain until they put pen to paper. new offers.
Further grumbling – and not just against referee Stuart Atwell – came in the wake of another sub-par performance when they returned to N17 against Spurs in the Carabao Cup semi-final last week.
And while Liverpool would remain favorites even if they slip up at Nottingham Forest, the mood music could change – with the possibility that we really are in for a title race, rather than a parade.
Slot, who has been in the game long enough to know that a few poor performances are only to be expected given the sheer intensity of the fixture list, has done everything he can to show no concern.
After all, Liverpool didn't exactly lose anything last week. They remain in charge of their own Prem destiny and will be backing themselves to overturn the first-leg deficit when Tottenham arrive on Merseyside next month.
But Forest don't need to hear a game plan from Nuno. They already know it inside and out.
Unlike many of the sides exposed by Liverpool's attacking rebellions, Forest will rely on their own approach to catch the visitors on the counter.
The defensive solidity that has seen Forest concede just 19 goals – the same as Liverpool and just one more than Arsenal – is a key reason why Nuno's men go into the match in an unexpected third place.
Win it and the shadows of Leicester's 2016 triumph will come back to life. After all, they will be within three points of the top.
A second Prem defeat of the season for Liverpool would also boost Arsenal's hopes, especially as the Reds have to travel to Brentford and Bournemouth to host Ipswich in their next three top-flight games.
Still, a win at Liverpool, which would end any talk of a 'bleep' before it has a chance to gain traction, could be a real hammer blow – especially as it would put extra pressure on Mikel Arteta's Gunners ahead of the Wednesday's North London derby.
Slot's team for Saturday's FA Cup win over Accrington indicated he was aware of the importance of Tuesday's match in the bigger picture.
Potential title boost for Arsenal
Liverpool cannot win or lose the league title at the City Ground. There is still almost half a season to go.
But three more points in their quest to lift the trophy in front of their own fans for the first time since 1990 – Jurgen Klopp's 2020 triumph saw muted celebrations in front of an empty Kop due to the pandemic – and it will be difficult to see what could stop them.
Conversely, anything that opens the door, even just a crack, will bring additional scrutiny into Liverpool's depth and determination.
Arsenal – and Forest – will sense there is a vulnerability. The fans of all three parties will intensify these elements.
Consider also that in the corresponding 2016 midweek fixtures in early January, Leicester survived an inquisition from Spurs to earn a 1-0 win that would make a huge difference in the build-up.
Who would have thought that Forest against Liverpool, two weeks after Christmas, could be the biggest game of the season so far? But it feels like it is.
Comments