Liverpool Football Club are enjoying a wonderful transition under latest manager Arne Slot. The Dutchman's Anfield assimilation was almost totally seamless. In fact, many fans of the sport and the LFC faithful at large would probably say the current side looks more of a threat than it often did under former boss Jurgen Klopp. With the 2024/25 season precisely at halfway point - a lot of action is still to come. The Premier League title race is on. But the winning outfit are not crowned in December, or January for that matter
Arsenal or even Chelsea could plausibly catch the rampant Reds eventually. The Gunners will consider this campaign their greatest opportunity to take the EPL trophy to Emirates Stadium. That is mainly because of the astonishing yet borderline predictable decline of reigning champions Manchester City. Pep Guardiola will likely steady the ship now following a win versus strugglers Leicester City. Although, I don't consider the Citizens probable contenders this term.
But are Chelsea in with a shout at an EPL triumph? They are in the mix; winning the division is distinctly in the realm of possibility. Is it likely the Blues will chase the Reds down? Who knows. What I do know is that the next five top flight fixtures could be telling in the ultimate final standings. Can Liverpool carry on their blistering form? Will CFC continue making strides? Or will Mikel Arteta's AFC throw a spanner in the works?
The next five for Chelsea and Liverpool
While Bukayo Saka's absence may be significant, currently second place Nottingham Forest just won't go away. While the Tricky Trees will almost certainly drift - Arsenal will be there or thereabouts. Chelsea, meanwhile, don't want to be mentioned as competing. They wish to be left alone to proceed with the Enzo Maresca progression.
The Stamford Bridge club have a winnable upcoming league run too: Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers and then the fragile Man City. Should Chels beat the Tractor Boys on Monday, the gap reduces to seven points.
In the meantime, Liverpool are under pressure to keep up their stunning pace. Rivals Manchester United are first up - never a simple derby. A miserly Forest follow; next is a trip to free-scoring Brentford. Of course, the Merseysiders will probably then defeat Ipswich and Bournemouth respectively.