Liverpool braced for English Premier League title party

Liverpool have one hand on the English Premier League (EPL) trophy as they seek the solitary point they need against struggling Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday that would guarantee a record-equalling 20th English title.

A draw at an expectant Anfield would take Arne Slot’s men 13 points clear of Arsenal with just four games remaining, meaning they could not be caught.

Below them, Chelsea and Newcastle have the chance to press their case for Champions League qualification with Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa all involved in the FA Cup semi-finals.

At the bottom of the table, Ipswich’s fate could be sealed.

It is tough to see struggling Tottenham delaying Liverpool’s title party at Anfield.

After Arsenal’s home draw against Crystal Palace in midweek, Arne Slot’s men just need a draw to seal the deal and pull level with bitter rivals Manchester United on 20 English titles.

Out-of-form Tottenham are 16th in the league table and have a miserable record at Anfield -- not winning there since 2011.

Liverpool won the reverse fixture this season 6-3 and were 4-1 winners on aggregate in their two-legged League Cup semi-final.

Captain Virgil van Dijk said it had been an “outstanding season” but that there was still work to do after Liverpool’s 1-0 at Leicester last week.

“Now we have the chance to finish it off on the weekend against a very good Tottenham Hotspur, in my opinion,” he said. “We played three times already against them this season and every game was very intense.

“To be in this position now, it’s a good position but we’re not there yet. We all have to realise that and we will. We’ll make sure of that. It’s a good week of preparation and then we have to be ready.”

Champions League shootout: Just four points separate third-placed Manchester City from Aston Villa in seventh in the race for Champions League spots next season.

For the first time the Premier League’s top five will all qualify for Europe’s top club competition, due to strong performances in continental competition.

Liverpool are already guaranteed a spot and Arsenal, 10 points clear of Chelsea in sixth, are practically there, leaving three places open.

City stole a march this week in the mini-league with a last-gasp win against Villa after Nottingham Forest, now fourth, beat Tottenham on Monday.

Villa play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, with Forest taking on City the following day at Wembley.

It means Newcastle, who could have Eddie Howe back on the touchline after a bout of pneumonia, would leapfrog City if they beat lowly Ipswich.

Spurs missing Son: Tottenham Hotspur are still without Son Heung-min but hope to have their captain back for their upcoming Europa League semi-final, manager Ange Postecoglou said on Friday.

South Korean forward Son has missed Tottenham’s last three games with a foot injury, and Postecoglou said he is the only injury concern ahead of Sunday’s game at Anfield. Spurs host Bodo/Glimt on Thursday in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

“He’s improving, which is positive, but not for Sunday. We’ll see (for Thursday),” Postecoglou told reporters.

“It was the first time he got out on the grass today and it’s definitely better than what it was.

“It’s a foot element, so because it’s weight-bearing, you need to give him a bit of rest and time off it.”

Postecoglou’s focus is on the Europa League where his side can salvage a disappointing season with a trophy, he wants his team to put in a good performance at Anfield.

“We want to go there and compete well against a very good side. It’s not about getting through unscathed, you want to get through having played well against a top team,” Postecoglou said.

“Irrespective of what’s on the horizon, that’s still of primary importance to us.”

Spurs have lost 18 league games this season to leave them 16th in the standings on 37 points and well off the pace for a European spot next season, but Europa League success would not only secure some silverware, but Champions League football.

Chelsea badly need to beat Everton at home with a tough run of games to come against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Forest.

Southampton playing for pride, Ipswich on brink: Southampton’s 1-1 draw at West Ham last week meant they drew level with Derby’s record-low points tally of 11 from the 2007/08 season, with five games to go to better the Rams’ total.

Agencies

Premier League fixtures

Saturday (1400 GMT unless stated)

Chelsea vs Everton (1130), Brighton vs West Ham, Newcastle vs Ipswich, Southampton vs Fulham, Wolves vs Leicester

Sunday: Bournemouth vs Manchester United (1300), Liverpool vs Tottenham (1530)