Arsenal given Liverpool hope after trophy disaster ahead of unlikely Premier League run-in goal

Liverpool losing the Carabao Cup final was an eventuality, as I walked past the Tollington Arms, I heard a large cheer go up from the crowds congregating to watch following the 1-0 win over Chelsea. Had you asked me who I wanted to win, it would have been genuinely tough choice.

The rhetoric with either team winning was damming for Arsenal. Either Eddie Howe wins a trophy which the Mikel Arteta critics would inevitably use as a stick to beat the Spaniard with or Arne Slot collects potentially two in his first season – either way the optics were not good.

That said, now we know Liverpool have lost, and pretty convincingly too, compounding their UEFA Champions League disappointment against PSG, eliminating them from the competition at the first knockout stage they were involved in. What could this mean for their mindset? For their morale?

Well in regards of the Premier League title race, any lasting Arsenal faithful hanging their hopes on the chance of a title resurgence with nine games left to play may look at this as the door opening ajar. With Arsenal still yet to travel to Anfield and play the Reds, there remains the chance of yet three points being taken off Liverpool before the end of the season.

However, Liverpool would need to lose three more games with the Gunners being effectively spotless until the end of the campaign. Luckily, Arsenal do have the more favourable run-in with Fulham (H), Everton (A), Brentford (H), Ipswich (A), Crystal Palace (H), Bournemouth (H), Liverpool (A), Newcastle (H) and Southampton (A) left to play.

Liverpool meanwhile have: Everton (H), Fulham (A), West Ham (H), Leicester (A), Tottenham (H), Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Brighton (A) and Crystal Palace (H). Certainly tougher on paper but is it realistic that 12 points could be gained by the final day? Very tough indeed.

Hypothetically if Arsenal were to win their remaining nine games, amassing 27 points, then Liverpool would need to get 16 from their last available 27 to win it. With their superior goal difference too, Arsenal would probably need them to only collect 14 to have a chance of stealing it.

Arsenal need to hope for a miracle and after back-to-back defeats in the Champions League and the League Cup, the only chance is for that run to spiral. Everton have already taken points off the Reds this season, as have Fulham but the Hammers conceded five at home to Mohamed Salah and company.

Liverpool beat Leicester 3-1 at Anfield, and beat Spurs 3-2 in north London while narrowly beating the Blues 2-1 on Merseyside. They drew 2-2 with Arsenal, beat Brighton 2-1, and overcame Palace away 1-0. Repeat these results and Slot will collect 21 points and win the league comfortably.