Liverpool missed the chance to extend its advantage at the top of the Premier League as it was held to a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

Only time will tell whether that proves to be a point gained or two dropped for Arne Slot’s side, but they now face having their lead at the top of the table cut down to four points if Arsenal can beat Tottenham in the north London derby later.

It hasn’t been the ideal start to 2025 for the Reds, whose only win in the New Year has come against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup. They will need to step things up over the next few weeks as they and their title rivals face a crucial set of Premier League fixtures.

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Liverpool

• 18 January: Brentford (A)

• 25 January: Ipswich (H)

• 1 February: Bournemouth (A)

• 12 February: Everton (A)

• 16 February: Wolves (H)

Liverpool still holds a game in hand over its rivals, and we’ll soon find out whether that is an advantage, with the Reds’ final trip to Goodison Park having now been confirmed for Feb. 12. David Moyes’ return as Everton manager has now been confirmed, meaning it will be a different prospect that Liverpool comes up against compared to what they would have faced back in December.

Next up this weekend though is another difficult trip, this time to Brentford, who are fresh from rescuing a point against Manchester City this week. That away day at Bournemouth also threatens to be a difficult journey, with the Reds facing a more difficult run than it perhaps looks on paper.

Arsenal

• 18 January: Aston Villa (H)

• 25 January: Wolves (A)

• 2 February: Man City (H)

• 15 February: Leicester (A)

• 22 February: West Ham (H)

Arsenal has the chance to cut the gap to Liverpool to four points later against Tottenham, although given the Gunners’ inconsistent form of late, the Reds will be hopeful Spurs can do them a favor.

The games don’t get much easier thereafter for Mikel Arteta’s side, with Aston Villa visiting the Emirates before a trip to a resurgent Wolves side, while Manchester City awaits after that - and Pep Guardiola may well have been boosted by the arrival of some new signings by that point.

Nottingham Forest

• 19 January: Southampton (H)

• 25 January: Bournemouth (A)

• 1 February: Brighton (H)

• 15 February: Fulham (A)

• 23 February: Newcastle (A)

Having taken four points off Liverpool this season, and sitting just six points behind the Reds, we do have to consider Nottingham Forest in the title race - or at least, Slot says we do.

Their next game against Southampton shouldn’t pose any problems, but things do get harder thereafter. Trips to Bournemouth, Fulham and Newcastle over the next month or so will seriously test their title credentials - if they come out of them still in touch with Liverpool at the top of the table, they really will be in with a shout for the title.

Chelsea

• 20 January: Wolves (H)

• 25 January: Man City (A)

• 3 February: West Ham (H)

• 14 February: Brighton (A)

• 22 February: Aston Villa (A)

Chelsea’s title challenge looks to be falling apart quickly. It wasn’t that long ago they were the Premier League’s in-form team, now they’ve picked up just three points from their last five games.

Sitting 10 points off Liverpool now, you’d have to imagine they will be out of the running, and they could find themselves dropping out of the top four if Newcastle beats Wolves later. They don’t have the easiest set to fixtures coming up either, with trips to City, Brighton and Aston Villa in the offing.

Considering their rivals’ fixtures, Liverpool could have the chance to build up more of an advantage in the title race over the coming weeks, but Slot’s side will need to improve on their recent showings if they are to prove themselves as favorites for the Premier League crown.