Momentum is on Liverpool's side in their pursuit of a top-four finish, having collected 10 points from their last four matches, and keeping clean sheets in each.
But their next five fixtures are as tough as it gets, and Michael Owen believes they need to be within touching distance of the teams above them after those encounters to have a chance of a UEFA Champions League place.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 |
Newcastle
NEW
|
38 | +35 | 71 |
| 5 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
38 | +28 | 67 |
| 6 |
Brighton
BHA
|
38 | +19 | 62 |
| 7 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
38 | +5 | 61 |
Liverpool first host Manchester United this Sunday, before a run of three away matches in a row.
After they travel to AFC Bournemouth the following weekend, because of a match postponement for the FA Cup their next Premier League match will not be until 1 April, with a trip to champions Manchester City.
Liverpool are then away to Chelsea before hosting the current leaders Arsenal at Anfield.
Liverpool's next five PL fixtures
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"If they're no further away from the top-four after that run of those fixtures, then they'll do it [finish in the top four], I'm convinced of it," says Owen, the ex-Liverpool striker.
"They could be out of it after those [matches], if they go on a poor run. They could be 10, 12 points adrift with eight games to go."
