New Delhi: Liverpool were about to go nine points clear at the table before the Merseyside derby kicked off at Goodison Park. The Everton defender James Tarkowski rose up to the final and struck a dramatic equaliser to leave the Reds settle for a draw. Liverpool were leading entering the added time but Tarkowski gave Toffees fans to celebrate so did Arsenal supporters with the hope that they can catch the Reds.
With every side having now played 24 matches they are just seven points adrift with 14 games to go. Despite the setback, Arne Slot’s men are still in the ideal position and as stated by captain Virgil van Dijk they have put themselves in a good position and will keep on fighting.
Can Arsenal catch Liverpool?
Despite late disappointment, @LFC extend their lead at the top to seven points 🔝 pic.twitter.com/vJZr7HAVOz
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 12, 2025
Although a seven-point advantage at this stage of the season is substantial, it is not necessarily decisive. The Premier League has witnessed two instances of teams overcoming a five-point deficit to win the title- Manchester United in 2003 and Manchester City in 2020.
The biggest points gap covered by any team in the Premier League history has been nine points which has also been achieved twice in 1996 by Manchester United and in 1998 by Arsenal but they had one and two games still in hand respectively.
With 42 points to play for Liverpool and Arsenal will fight hard to claim the title. Third-placed Nottingham Forest are 10 points behind the Reds and it seems impossible for them as no side has ever hauled such gap from this stage of the season.
Liverpool and Arsenal’s remaining fixtures
The table toppers Liverpool will be entering a gruelling period with league games every three days until the end of February. However, March brings some respite with just one Premier League fixture against Southampton. Despite the lighter league schedule, the Reds have crucial cup commitments including the EFL Cup final against Newcastle on 16 March and their Champions League last-16 tie where they will face one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest. The first leg will be away on either 4 or 5 March with the return leg at Anfield a week later.
Liverpool’s title push will be tested in the coming weeks as half of their remaining fixtures are against teams in the top half of the table. Tricky trips to Aston Villa and Manchester City are among their next three fixtures while they also host Arsenal at Anfield in what could be a decisive clash in the title race. The season will conclude with a home fixture against Crystal Palace where Liverpool will hope to have secured the title by then.
Meanwhile, the chasers Arsenal are on a 14-match unbeaten run (W9 D5) which marks their longest under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners’ upcoming fixture list appears slightly more favourable than the Reds as they face six top-half teams in their final 14 games. However, the Gunners’ squad depth will be at test at a crucial time.
Arsenal’s injury crisis
The London club has also suffered a major setback with the news that Kai Havertz could be out for the season after sustaining a muscle injury during their Dubai training camp. The 25-year-old has scored 15 goals and five assists this season and has been a vital part of Arsenal’s attack. His absence compounds Arsenal’s problems as Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are also sidelined with hamstring injuries while Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with an ACL injury. Additionally, Arsenal failed to sign a striker in the winter transfer window leaving them short of attacking options for the crucial run-in.
Kai Havertz is reportedly out for the rest of the season.
Arsenal are running out of attacking options 😬 pic.twitter.com/dTOlXeIVnR
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 12, 2025
Arsenal’s title hopes could hinge on their trip to Anfield on 10 May, a fixture that could decide the fate of both teams in the title race. If they manage to come away with a result they will have a home game against Newcastle and a final-day trip to Southampton who could already be relegated by then. However, with a depleted attack Arsenal’s ability to maintain their title challenge will be put to the ultimate test.
Both Liverpool and Arsenal will have to pass multiple tests in the upcoming months but one thing is certain that they will be desperate to claim the title ensuring a tough fight for every point and making the road to glory a difficult one for their rival.
A dramatic late equalizer in the Merseyside Derby leaves Arsenal seven points behind Liverpool with 14 games left. Find out how this thrilling draw has reshaped the Premier League landscape. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
