Liverpool have a chance to go back on top

LIVERPOOL once again get the chance to state their case in the back-and-forth quest for the Premier League title.

The Reds are locked in a battle with defending champions Manchester City, with the teams seemingly changing places at the top of the table after every game.

City’s 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Wednesday moved them one point clear with six games left and Liverpool now get to respond when they visit Southampton today.

With City involved in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, a Reds win will keep them in front for the next eight days – an eternity in the everchanging title landscape.

“Each game is tough now, there is more pressure,” striker Mohamed Salah said after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

“You just keep yourself in the race and you just need to win.

“Southampton want points, they want to stay in the Premier League, so they’ll fight for their life also.

“We have to win each game,” he added.

Southampton are in a fight of their own at the opposite end of the table.

The Saints are in 16th place, five points above the relegation places, so there’s plenty on the line for them too.

They’ve won three of their last four games and manager Ralph Hasenhuettel is hoping their good form continues under the Friday spotlight.

“I think the fans will like this game, and we will too,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to it – it will be a fantastic Friday evening.”

There’s an abbreviated league schedule this weekend because of the FA Cup, but two teams fighting for the top four will be in action.

Tottenham currently sit third on on 64 points, one more than Arsenal and Chelsea and three ahead of Manchester United.

Only two will qualify for the Champions League and Arsenal, with a game in hand, have the chance to put themselves in a solid position when they visit Everton on Sunday.

The Gunners are unbeaten in six matches in the league but have struggled away from home this season, winning just 19 of a possible 42 points, the fewest of any of the top sides.

“The next game against Everton on Sunday is going to be a big challenge for us because it’s a new match, and it’s away,” manager Unai Emery said after Monday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United.

“We need to convince people that we can be consistent away.”

Chelsea trail Arsenal only on goal difference following their 3-0 win over Brighton on Wednesday.

They next host West Ham United in a London derby on Monday and a win could lift them as high as third depending on how the Gunners fare.

“We need to keep this up,” striker Olivier Giroud said after scoring the opener against Brighton.

“We’ve shown some great character. We need the momentum now.”

Bournemouth host Burnley, Leicester visit Huddersfield and Newcastle are home to Crystal Palace in the weekend’s other games.