Liverpool next 5 fixtures compared to Chelsea and Man Utd as Reds gain advantage in top four race

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Liverpool made its way back into the top four of the Premier League with victory over Wolves, and the Reds will be aiming to push home their advantage over Chelsea and Manchester UnitedArne Slot will hope Liverpool can extend its advantage over Chelsea and Manchester United in the coming games(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool has gained an important advantage in the race for the Premier League’s top four - and the Reds will be aiming to grow their lead if they can over Chelsea and Manchester United in the coming weeks.Arne Slot’s side once again were not all that convincing against Wolves on Saturday, but crucially, they got the job done thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz.The 2-1 win at Anfield carried some extra significance as the Reds moved back into the top four, having dropped so dramatically during an awful run of form between the end of September and November.READ MORE: Florian Wirtz excites as Federico Chiesa reality for Liverpool clear - 5 talking points vs WolvesREAD MORE: Liverpool transfer agreement reached before January as Arne Slot should have two prioritiesThey move ahead of Chelsea, with the Blues’ defeat to Aston Villa meaning they’re now level on points with Manchester United, who picked up a win over Newcastle on Boxing Day.As we approach the halfway point of the season then, it is Liverpool that sits three points ahead of its nearest rival in the race for the top four, with some big games coming up over the next few weeks…Liverpool next five Premier League fixturesLeeds (H) - January 1Fulham (A) - January 4Arsenal (A) - January 8Burnley (H) - January 17Bournemouth (A) - January 24Liverpool will be aiming to make up for its failure to win at Elland Road earlier this month as it begins 2026 by hosting Leeds at Anfield.On paper, the Reds have perhaps the easiest run-in of the three sides we're looking at, bar of course that trip to Arsenal in just over a week's time.Given both Chelsea and United have equally tricky fixtures to deal with though, the meeting with the Gunners might not prove pivotal, as long as Liverpool ensures it gets the maximum amount of points from its over games.Chelsea next five Premier League fixturesBournemouth (H) - December 30Man City (A) - January 4Fulham (A) - January 7Brentford (H) - January 17Crystal Palace (A) - January 25Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is coming under increasing pressure after just one win in the last six league games, with the Blues having gone from potential title challengers to facing a battle just to finish in the top four within a matter of a few weeks.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.They will have the opportunity to move back into fourth as they take on Bournemouth before Liverpool's next game.

Given the Cherries have been in freefall recently, that has to be seen as a must-win for Chelsea - especially with a trip to Manchester City following soon after.Subsequent games against Fulham, Brentford and Crystal Palace certainly look a lot trickier than they did a few weeks ago, and with a Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal to deal with, as well as Champions League commitments, Maresca will be under real pressure to deliver.Man Utd next five Premier League fixturesWolves (H) - December 30Leeds (A) - January 4Burnley (A) - January 7Man City (H) - January 17Arsenal (A) - January 25Manchester United certainly looks as though it's got the easiest run over the next three games, although that dramatically changes thereafter with those back-to-back games against City and Arsenal.Ruben Amorim's side of course has an advantage over both Liverpool and Chelsea in that it doesn't have any European football to contend with, which may help its cause.Consistency is still a problem for them though, and they'll need to prove they can get through the likes of Wolves, Leeds and Burnley without any slip-ups if they're to seriously hold hopes of qualifying for the Champions League again.