Liverpool march towards Premier League title as City face Manchester United

Liverpool can move closer to the English Premier League (EPL) title when the leaders face Fulham on Sunday.

Manchester City will look to bolster their bid to qualify for the Champions League against arch rivals Manchester United, while Southampton bid to stave off relegation.

Virgil van Dijk has challenged Liverpool to out-work the teams that stand between the Reds and a record-equalling 20th English title.

Arne Slot’s side had to dig deep to beat Everton 1-0 in a tetchy Merseyside derby at Anfield on Wednesday.

The victory moved Liverpool 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with just eight matches left.

After being eliminated from the Champions League last 16 by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and losing the League Cup final to Newcastle in their previous two games, Liverpool settled their nerves thanks to Diogo Jota’s winner against Everton.

Now they head to Fulham aiming to take another step in their march to a first title since 2020.

“It’s a funny world. Doubts outside all of a sudden, but the fact is there are eight games to go, there is a 12-point gap,” Van Dijk said.

“If we have to fight we have to fight. The manager mentioned it in his press conference. We have to out-work opponents. If we don’t we won’t get results.”

Grealish wants City derby role: Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has told Pep Guardiola he is ready to shine if he gets a starting role in Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.

Grealish marked his first Premier League start since December with his first goal in the competition since 2023 as he netted in a 2-0 win against Leicester on Wednesday.

It has been a frustrating campaign for the 29-year-old England star, with form and fitness issues costing him his place for long periods.

“I think it was actually the same last year. I didn’t go in the national team in March, then I ended up playing a lot in April. I’m ready when called upon,” he said.

In the midst of a battle to qualify for the Champions League, City need Grealish at his best as they are without Norway striker Erling Haaland for several weeks due to an ankle injury.

City lost 2-1 to United after conceding two late goals earlier this season and Grealish wants to get revenge at Old Trafford.

“They beat us here early on in the season and that was a real difficult one to take,” he said.

“But we’re going there on the back of two wins and with a lot of confidence. Fingers crossed, we can make our fans happy.” Haaland promised “I’ll be back” after the Manchester City striker learned he will be sidelined for seven weeks.

Haaland limped off during the second half of City’s 2-1 win at Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

Haaland responded to his injury blow on Instagram on Wednesday, posting a message that read: “I’ll be back” -- a quote made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in the Terminator movies -- accompanied by a flexed biceps emoji.

The post also featured a photo of the 24-year-old with his left foot in a protective boot and each arm raised holding up a crutch.

Haaland’s absence is a major setback to City’s hopes of securing qualification for the Champions League.

Haaland will miss Sunday’s derby at Manchester United in the Premier League, as well as the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on April 26 or 27.

City’s final Premier League game is at Fulham on May 25, with their first match in the Club World Cup against Wydad Casablanca being played on June 18.

Southampton on the brink of relegation: Taylor Harwood-Bellis insists Southampton will keep fighting to avoid relegation, but the defender’s bottom of the table side are destined for the drop as early as this weekend.

Agence France-Presse

Premier League fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated)

Saturday: Everton vs Arsenal (1130), Crystal Palace vs Brighton, Ipswich vs Wolves, West Ham vs Bournemouth, Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest (1630)

Sunday (1300 unless stated): Brentford vs Chelsea, Fulham vs Liverpool, Tottenham vs Southampton, Manchester United vs Manchester City (1530)

Monday: Leicester vs Newcastle (1900)