Liverpool, Nwaneri

Premier League leaders Liverpool will look to bounce back from a rare defeat as the Reds host West Ham on Sunday.

Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa are also embroiled in a tense battle to qualify for the Champions League.

Liverpool, Ipswich

Having sucked any drama out of the title race weeks ago, Liverpool suffered a rare defeat against Fulham last weekend that sparked accusations the Premier League leaders are getting complacent.

Liverpool lost their 26-match unbeaten league run in an error-strewn 3-2 loss at Craven Cottage that bore little resemblance to the team that had marched relentlessly towards their first title since 2020.

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But despite their second league defeat this season, Liverpool have an 11-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with just seven games left.

It would take an astonishing collapse for the Reds not to claim a record-equalling 20th English crown and manager Arne Slot is convinced his players remain firmly focused on getting the job done as soon as possible.

With five places in next season’s Champions League now available to English clubs, the race for those lucrative berths is set to go down to the wire.

Man United, Tottenham draw in Europa League as Rangers hold Athletic Bilbao

Third-placed Nottingham Forest, who host Everton on Saturday, hope to reach Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 1980-81 and hold a five point lead over sixth-placed Manchester City.

Chelsea, in fourth place, are ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle only on goal difference, with the Carabao Cup winners holding a game in hand that could prove crucial.

This weekend, Chelsea face struggling Ipswich, while Newcastle host Manchester United and seventh-placed Aston Villa – two points adrift of the top five – visit relegated Southampton.

City, who entertain Crystal Palace on Saturday, are a point behind Chelsea and Newcastle.

City arguably have the most to lose as they bid to salvage a wretched season with Champions League qualification.

See the Premier League fixtures below:

Saturday
Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Brighton v Leicester
Nottingham Forest v Everton
Southampton v Aston Villa
Arsenal v Brentford

Sunday
Chelsea v Ipswich
Liverpool v West Ham
Wolves v Tottenham
Newcastle v Manchester United

Monday
Bournemouth v Fulham

The Star

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