Top-five battle intensifies as Liverpool enter season-defining run-in
Only a year after winning a long-awaited 20th top-flight title, Liverpool are now fighting tooth and nail to avoid the ignominy of finishing outside the Premier League’s top five.
Title-winning manager Arne Slot has gone from being one of the Anfield favourites to becoming one of the most divisive figures on Merseyside in a dramatic fall from grace.
Back-to-back victories over Fulham and Everton eased the pressure on the Dutch tactician, moving the Reds five points clear of sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.
But then Sunday’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to arch rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford turned the heat up on Slot once again.
Despite the team’s dramatic downfall, tickets remain in high demand.
Between budget and view, Liverpool prices and availability is often what decides whether to book now or keep waiting.
This reflects strong supporter interest as fans continue to back the team in the season run-in.
Meanwhile, under-fire wing-back Jeremie Frimpong highlighted the importance of the last five league outings in the build-up to Liverpool’s home clash against Crystal Palace.
Indeed, the former Bayer Leverkusen star urged his team-mates to return to their best, as we take a closer look at the Reds’ remaining May fixtures.
Liverpool vs Chelsea - 09/05/2026
Another mouth-watering match-up down the final stretch pits Liverpool against fellow top-five hopefuls Chelsea in a decisive showdown at Anfield in the second week of May.
After losing five consecutive Premier League games without scoring for the first time in the club’s history, the Blues have parted company with Liam Rosenior.
Chelsea have appointed Calum McFarlane as an interim manager until the end of the season, and it remains to be seen whether the 40-year-old can inspire the London side to a third successive win over the Reds.
With Chelsea’s form spiraling in the closing stage of Rosenior’s dreadful stint.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool - 17/05/2026
Liverpool cruised to a 2-0 win when they faced Aston Villa at Anfield in November, securing a shot at their first Premier League double over the Lions since 2021/22.
However, the last two league encounters between these two teams at Villa Park have produced high-scoring stalemates, an outcome the Reds will be keen to avoid this time.
Slot’s men trail the Europa League semi-finalists by three points ahead of this high-stakes ‘top-five’ six-pointer, meaning anything other than a victory would likely see Liverpool finish behind the Midlands outfit.
Liverpool vs Brentford - 24/05/2026
Brentford’s visit to Anfield on the final Premier League weekend is unlikely to be Slot’s last game in charge of the club, at least according to Sky Sports’ recent report.
Despite failing to meet expectations in his second season on Merseyside, the former Feyenoord boss is expected to remain at the helm next season, provided the Reds secure Champions League football.
Anyway, Slot will aim to finish a forgettable title-defending campaign on a high by avenging a 3-2 defeat in October’s reverse fixture and extending Liverpool’s six-game winning home league streak against the Bees.
It’s worth noting that the 20-time English champions have won all four home matches against Brentford since the London side’s maiden Premier League promotion in 2021.
