Jamie Carragher believes the next week could be decisive in the Premier League title race with challengers Manchester City and Liverpool both set to play away from home in the league after the first leg of their Champions League semi-finals.
The Merseyside club face Villarreal on Wednesday, a day after the Blues play Real Madrid. They're both at home for the first leg of their respective ties but Jurgen Klopp has voiced concern over travelling to Tyneside for a 12:30pm kick-off days after the clash with Villarreal.
Carragher believes the games City and Liverpool will play in between the two legs of their Champions League semi-final ties could be huge. He told Sky Sports: "I think for both teams, the game in between that Champions League semi-final (will be crucial), that Champions League semi-final will take so much out of you, physically and mentally.
READ MORE: Man City and Liverpool remaining fixtures compared in tense Premier League title race
"Who knows how you'll be feeling in between whether you've won the first game or not. I think there will be a lot of jeopardy, something could happen in the next league game, I'm not saying who it'll be.
"A few weeks ago I'd have said Liverpool (would've had a tougher game) going to Newcastle, great run of form. But if Leeds win tomorrow (Monday), they will be absolutely fighting for their lives in that game, a really intense game.
"I think with Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp was not happy playing at 12:30 but I think in some ways you'll want to play 12:30 rather than 5:30 at Newcastle - with the atmosphere they've generated in an evening, there may be something in that.
"I do look at the next couple of games, it is more difficult for Liverpool when you think of Tottenham at home, [Aston] Villa away. As I said with Everton, if they could stay in the same position as Burnley with a few games to go, if Liverpool can stay in the same position that they are now and get into West Ham away, Wolves away for Man City, I think then it looks more favourable for Liverpool, the fixture list."
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