Liverpool missed the chance to close the gap to Newcastle United yesterday afternoon after playing out a dour goalless draw with Chelsea at Anfield.
In a game lacking any quality at both ends of the pitch, Jurgen Klopp's side were forced to settle for a share of the spoils and are now winless in their last three Premier League outings.
The Reds will know all too well draws are going to prove of little use if they are to finish in the top four come May as the team look to reduce the ten-point gap to the Champions League places in the weeks ahead. An opportunity to reduce this margin went begging yesterday after Newcastle were held to a draw at the home of Crystal Palace.
ANALYSIS: Mohamed Salah change is needed as Thiago handed new role
VERDICT: Chelsea have a problem Jurgen Klopp would love as brutal Liverpool truth emerges
Below is a look ahead at the upcoming fixtures on Liverpool's horizon, followed by a rundown of the schedules of the other sides challenging at the top of the table.
February 4 - Wolves (A) - Liverpool got the better of Wolves at Molineux only last week and will return to the West Midlands in a fortnight, aiming to repeat the performance which booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
February 13 - Everton (H) - There was nothing to separate the sides in the first Merseyside derby of 2022/23, but Liverpool will fancy their chances of coming out on top at Anfield.
February 18 - Newcastle (A) - Eddie Howe's men find themselves in Champions League contention and appear to be full of confidence at this moment in time. The Reds remain the only team to have beaten Newcastle in the Premier League this season and will have hopes of completing the double over the Toon Army.
February 25 - Crystal Palace (A) - Once labelled a cursed fixture for Liverpool, Klopp's side have won each of their previous eight outings at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace have struggled to hit the heights of last season under Patrick Vieira and are languishing in mid-table.
March 4 - Manchester United (H) - A new side under Erik ten Hag, this promises to be the Reds' toughest test against their rivals in years. United find themselves in a strong position to make the top four but have not tasted victory at Anfield since 2015.
March 11 - Bournemouth (A) - Liverpool inflicted a 9-0 defeat on the Cherries when the sides met way back in August, with a repeat of this scoreline seeming unlikely on this occasion. The Reds will still fancy their chances of three points on the South Coast, though.
Here is an overview of the upcoming schedules for the Reds' rivals...
1. Arsenal (47 points) - next six Premier League fixtures
Manchester United (H) - January 22
Everton (A) - February 4
Brentford (H) - February 11
Manchester City (H) - February 15
Aston Villa (A) - February 18
Leicester City (A) - February 25
2. Manchester City (42 points) - next six Premier League fixtures
Wolves (H) - January 22
Tottenham (A) - February 5
Aston Villa (H) - February 12
Arsenal (A) - February 15
Nottingham Forest (A) - February 18
Bournemouth (A) - February 25
3. Newcastle (39 points) - next six Premier League fixtures
West Ham (H) - February 4
Bournemouth (A) - February 11
Liverpool (H) - February 18
Brighton (H) - February 25
Man City (A) - March 4
Wolves (H) - March 11
4. Manchester United (39 points) - next six Premier League fixtures
Arsenal (A) - January 22
Crystal Palace (H) - February 4
Leeds (H) - February 8
Leeds (A) - February 12
Leicester (H) - February 19
Brentford (H) - February 26
5. Tottenham Hotspur (33 points) - next six Premier League fixtures
Fulham (A) - January 23
Manchester City (H) - February 5
Leicester (A) - February 11
West Ham (H) - February 19
Chelsea (H) - February 26
Wolves (A) - March 4
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