Liverpool can be licking their lips in anticipation. Luck has befallen them. The Premier League leaders face a Manchester Metropolis facet in freefall on Tremendous Sunday this weekend, with the possibility to successfully finish their rivals’ title defence for good. Christmas has certainly come early.

Sunday can be as a lot about Man Metropolis’s demise – ought to they lose – as it is going to be about Liverpool’s possible pursuit of silverware this season, however because the previous saying goes: ‘You may solely play what’s in entrance of you.’

And what awaits Liverpool at Anfield is a shell of facet, scarcely able to disarming Feyenoord, the Eredivisie’s fourth-placed group, not to mention the Premier League’s frontrunners. Man Metropolis seem to have been purged of their powers.

This assembly, at this specific level within the season, is sort of serendipitous for Arne Slot. Hardly ever, if ever, have the circumstances been extra beneficial. Slot’s Liverpool have the potential to profit in essentially the most profound of how on Sunday, stealing a march on Pep Guardiola within the Dutchman’s very first managerial assembly.

How usually do you get the chance to kick Metropolis whereas they’re down? They’re strolling wounded – on a six-game winless run, together with 5 defeats – and if Liverpool take benefit as most anticipate them to, certainly the title race is all however over? The outlook is as polarising as it has been for years.

“Liverpool have been glorious and have each probability of profitable this title,” remarked Roy Keane final weekend. “In the event that they flip up at their best possible, with the followers behind them, and beat Metropolis – what a press release it will be. It could be over for Metropolis in the event that they lose.”

Paul Merson’s view: “The Premier League want Man Metropolis to win on Sunday, as a result of in any other case Liverpool are going to spread-eagle. They might run away with this league title very quickly.” Opta places Liverpool’s possibilities of lifting the trophy in Might at 74.8 per cent.

And but, they’ve received simply certainly one of their final 9 Premier League video games in opposition to Man Metropolis. This fixture has not been a cheerful looking floor in current occasions, needing to journey again to October 2022 to dig up the final constructive consequence – Mohamed Salah predictably scoring the decider in a 1-0 win.

It could shock few if the identical matchwinner resurfaced this time round. In addition to having essentially the most targets and assists mixed within the Premier League this season (16), Salah’s purpose involvements have additionally been value a league-high 17 factors to Liverpool this time period.

Placing the ultimate nail in Man Metropolis’s coffin could properly act because the sweetener to the Egyptian’s lobbying for a brand new and improved deal – extra on that later.

Optimistic omens are plentiful. Solely as soon as (Manchester United in 1993/94) has a group had a better lead on rivals than Liverpool possess proper now after 12 video games. Their haul of 31 factors can solely be equalled or bettered 10 occasions in Premier League historical past – eight of these golf equipment had been topped title winners.

It is onerous to think about a world the place Slot would enable complacency to set in, even with such a major eight-point, which might prolong to 11-point, hole. This isn’t a supervisor who neglects the basics. He is aware of nothing is received this facet of Christmas, albeit hope, in Man Metropolis’s case, could possibly be altogether misplaced.

Pragmatic Slot may have a plan for Sunday, and little of it would journey on the notion that the guests to Merseyside will merely roll over. A personality reminiscent of Slot senses the chance but additionally the danger.

He’ll need to win by design, as a result of groups who depart issues to probability in opposition to Man Metropolis – as downbeat and leggy as they’re – get punished.

Again in 2022, the place Salah settled a fiery and pulsating encounter at Anfield – Jurgen Klopp was really despatched off – it was goalkeeper Alisson who carved the opening with a run-of-the-mill punt downfield. What Salah did with that lengthy kick was nothing wanting sensational, however this was a sport of frayed tempers and positive margins. Had been it not for Alisson’s fast considering or Joao Cancelo’s incapacity to defend, the sport might fairly simply have completed 0-0.

This time, Slot will need management and calm heads. Liverpool are able to demand such requirements. They’re succesful, at full throttle, of placing this fragile Man Metropolis facet to job at each ends of the pitch, a lot in the identical method they scolded Champions League holders Actual Madrid on Wednesday evening to remain excellent in Europe.

One other check handed.

They are saying to be the most effective, you need to beat the most effective. Actual and England midfielder Jude Bellingham known as Liverpool the “best-performing group in Europe” proper now. He is most likely proper. There exists a fearsome mixture of starpower and firepower on the prime finish, a clear and tidy midfield engine who can run but additionally create, and a sturdy backline who not often concede targets. Deputy goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher even denied Kylian Mbappe from the penalty spot on Wednesday.

Every thing that may go proper goes proper.

Maybe the one lingering uncertainty considerations the frilly sport of Snog, Marry, Keep away from Liverpool are taking part in with their three finest gamers. Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah’s contracts all expire this summer time, and talks over future offers seem no additional forwards, with ideas the membership can solely afford to maintain two of three. Slot can be hoping none of his prized trio are misplaced, however finally, negotiations can be out of his fingers.

His affect on the effectivity of this Liverpool facet on the pitch, nonetheless, has been keenly felt. Their solely Premier League defeat this season was a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, having received seven of their eight video games since then, scoring at the least twice in all however one. Momentum is constructing. A fuse has been lit.

And now comes the fortuity to situation the largest assertion of all. To observe up the beating of the reigning European champions with victory over the six-time (beneath Pep) Premier League champions, all inside a four-day interval, can be one thing to cherish. A souvenir to treasure.

Liverpool have their probability, they simply need to take it.