Diogo Jota’s a doubt but Cody Gakpo can lead latest show of strength as Liverpool power into Champions League last 16
Diogo Jota’s a doubt but Cody Gakpo can lead latest show of strength as Liverpool power into Champions League last 16
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Results like Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Brentford on Saturday, thanks to 91st and 93rd-minute goals from Darwin Nunez, are they type that win titles – especially when Arsenal then threw away two points at home to Aston Villa later in the day. It’s increasingly looking as though the Premier League championship is Liverpool’s to lose while the weekend turnarounds also give the Reds a welcome lift in confidence heading into their penultimate Champions League group match at home to Lille.
![[West Ham United FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2191089383.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Had Nunez not handed maximum points to Arne Slot’s table-toppers in west London the spotlight would have been on Liverpool’s only victory in their last five matches being a 4-0 success against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup following draws against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in the league and a 1-0 defeat against Tottenham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Now the perspective is that they are back on track and in a strong position, six points clear of the Gunners and Nottingham Forest with a game in hand. They are also top of the Champions League group standings and can punch their ticket directly to the knockout stages with victory against Lille in front of the Kop, although a point would be enough.
The Reds have won all six matches in Europe this season and their defence, which has only been breached once in that superb streak, should have enough about them to keep the visitors, who occupy the final automatic place into the round of 16, at bay. Third in Ligue 1, Lille have not lost any of their last 21 matches but have drawn ten of them and, although they are unbeaten in their last 11 matches away from home, everyone knows Anfield on a European night is a different kettle of fish.
