Liverpool next five Premier League fixtures compared to Man Utd and Chelsea after Fulham draw
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Liverpool's Next Five Premier League Fixtures Compared to Man Utd and Chelsea After Fulham Draw
Liverpool played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on January 4, 2026, in the Premier League, extending their unbeaten run but dropping precious points in the title race[1][4][5]. The match, marked by a dramatic climax, saw Liverpool climb to 33 points from 19 games (10 wins, 3 draws, 6 losses, +4 goal difference), placing them second behind Manchester City (41 points)[1]. Fulham, with 27 points (8-3-8, -1 GD), sit mid-table[1].
The draw intensifies scrutiny on Liverpool's fixture run-in. With the season at its midway point, Arne Slot's side faces a testing next five Premier League games, compared below to rivals Manchester United (31 points from 20 games, 8-7-5, +4 GD) and Chelsea (30 points from 19 games, 8-6-5, +11 GD)[1]. Liverpool's schedule includes clashes with top-half teams, potentially challenging their top-two aspirations.
| Team | Matchday 20 | Matchday 21 | Matchday 22 | Matchday 23 | Matchday 24 | Opponent Strength (Points Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | vs Sunderland (9th, 29 pts) | vs Brighton (10th, 28 pts) | @ Everton (11th, 28 pts) | vs Brentford (12th, 27 pts) | @ Crystal Palace (13th, 27 pts) | Mid-table gauntlet; 4/5 away/neutral |
| Man Utd | vs Tottenham (14th, 26 pts) | @ Newcastle (15th, 26 pts) | vs Crystal Palace (13th) | @ Brentford (12th) | vs Everton (11th) | Tougher; 3/5 lower mid-table |
| Chelsea | @ Fulham (16th, 27 pts) | vs Sunderland (9th) | @ Brighton (10th) | vs Tottenham (14th) | @ Newcastle (15th) | Mixed; heavy travel, top-10 foes |
Liverpool's run looks winnable on paper, facing teams around 26-29 points, but derbies like Everton and away trips could trip them up. Man Utd face slightly lower opposition but more volume, while Chelsea's includes recent rivals. The Fulham stalemate[4][5]—highlighted by Sky Sports[5]—leaves Liverpool two points behind City, with United and Chelsea lurking[1]. Slot will demand consistency to sustain their +4 GD edge.
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