The 2021-22 Premier League title race looks set to go down to the wire after Liverpool closed the gap on leaders Manchester City to just one point with a 2-0 victory at Arsenal on Wednesday night.
At one stage in mid-January Man City boasted a whopping 14-point lead over Jurgen Klopp's side - albeit having played two games more - but a stunning run of form from the Reds has seen them catapult themselves back into contention.
With both sides now having played the same number of games, Man City currently hold the one-point advantage, but they have dropped seven points from their last seven league games, whereas red-hot Liverpool, who also boast a better goal difference, have won nine on the bounce, conceding just two goals in the process.
A mouth-watering showdown between the two sides is set for April 10 at the Etihad Stadium - a match which could well prove to be decisive in the Premier League title race.
With the situation now so finely poised, here the Sports Mole team discusses who they believe will lift the Premier League trophy this season.
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Barney Corkhill, Editor
Liverpool's recent form has been imperious and the momentum is certainly with Klopp's men, but for me the advantage still lies ever-so slightly with Man City - after all, they are the team with the extra point on the board, and crucially have home advantage in the massive showdown between the two on April 10.
Liverpool are more than capable of going to the Etihad and winning, particularly on current form, but Man City are equally capable of winning that game to halt Liverpool's momentum and perhaps derail their title bid - if another team does not do it earlier.
It speaks volumes that Man City's record of just two draws and a defeat from their last 19 games - and so 16 wins in that time - has still been enough to open the door for Liverpool. We are seeing two of the greatest teams in Premier League history at the top of their game, and it is likely that both will once again end the season with 90+ points.
Liverpool's run-in is certainly tougher on paper, with arguably their three biggest games of the season - against Manchester United, Everton and of course Man City - still to come, but with the possible exception of the Man City one, they will go into each of them as heavy favourites such is their quality at the moment.
The most recent game for both teams showed what could end up being the difference; Liverpool made changes when things weren't going to plan against Arsenal and went on to win the game, whereas Pep Guardiola made none as his side failed to find a breakthrough against Crystal Palace.
Suddenly it is the Reds who have the greater attacking strength in depth - certainly in terms of natural goalscorers - and with a defence which has rediscovered top form, that could prove to be the difference.
That said, if Liverpool are to win the title then it is entirely possible that they will need to win all of their remaining games, which would make for an 18-match winning run to end the season - a feat which has only been achieved twice in Premier League history, unsurprisingly by Man City and Liverpool in recent years.
By contrast, Man City now 'just' need to win their final nine games of the season, something they seem to do on an alarmingly regular basis and something they are perfectly capable of doing again in the home straight this time around.
It could all come down to that game at the Etihad but, while the saying goes that people only remember the winners, both of these teams deserve to be remembered among the Premier League's greatest ever. I backed Liverpool before a ball was kicked and they could well do it, but my head is still saying Man City have the edge right now.
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Matt Law, Football Editor
Liverpool have the momentum, and it is difficult to look past the Reds at the moment.
Had Man City beaten Palace last time out, I would be leaning towards the Citizens, but the team's lack of a proper centre-forward in the final weeks of the season could harm them when it comes to winning the title.
I think that Liverpool will beat Man City at the Etihad Stadium next month, which could be a decisive result. Both sides will win the majority of their final nine Premier League games, and it is likely to be incredibly close, but I just have a feeling that Liverpool, who suddenly have serious strength in depth in the final third, will emerge victorious.
Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter
It would take a brave soul to confidently predict the outcome of the Premier League title race before City and Liverpool lock horns at the Etihad on April 10, with the victor of that battle – if there is one – surely going on to title glory.
However, Jurgen Klopp's well-oiled machine are simply unstoppable right now. The Reds boss is reaping the rewards of having a near-empty treatment room and is navigating the hectic fixture schedule as best as he possibly could, which is more than can be said for Man City.
It is important to note that next month's top-of-the-table battle will be Man City's final league game against a Big Six side this term, but Liverpool face two very winnable fixtures at home to Man United and Spurs in the spring.
Cutting the lead at the top from eight points to one sees the momentum lie firmly in Liverpool's favour, and I would back them as the title favourites on their current form, but as I stress, it is near impossible to call before next month's behemoth of a showdown.
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Oliver Thomas, Reporter
The momentum is certainly with Liverpool at present, who have put together an impressive nine-game winning streak, but if anyone can prevent the Reds from clinching the title, it is Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola's men have won three league titles in the last four years, showcasing their dominance at the summit of English football, and while they have recently dropped points, their performance levels have remained at the highest level.
With all the attacking flair Man City possess, the only minor concern is their inability to convert the plethora of chances they create, emphasising the need to recruit a striker. Should City fail to win the title this season, their decision not to sign a number nine is sure to be a major talking point.
Nevertheless, Guardiola has plenty of cogs in his well-oiled machine that can turn on the style at the click of a finger, and his group still have plenty of confidence heading into the final nine league fixtures.
On paper, Man City arguably have a more favourable-looking run-in. Liverpool are still to play Champions League-chasing Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, but their biggest game of all will be at the Etihad Stadium next month, a showdown already dubbed a title decider.
Both sides possess the hunger, desire and quality required to win the title, and are led by two of the world's best coaches in the modern era, but if City can claim at least a draw from their clash against Jurgen Klopp's side, then I believe they will go on to accumulate enough points to edge out their title rivals this season.
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Joel Lefevre, Reporter
I have to believe that Man City will come away with a second successive Premier League title this season.
The Sky Blues have been the team to catch since the New Year, and with the decisive game against Liverpool taking place at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola's men have that extra advantage for the match, which is likely to determine who will be the champions of England.
Not only that, but looking at the schedule for both sides, The Reds face much stiffer competition, so even if they beat City, they will have challenging games against desperate sides fighting for European places like Man United, West Ham and Spurs.
City have too much experience of playing under intense pressure, and even without the top defender in Ruben Dias, they know what it takes to win close title races, so expect to see Pep's side laser-focused and determined, knowing that there is no longer room for error.
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Sammy Wynne, Reporter
It may sound obvious, but I think the simple answer to this question is that the winner of Man City v Liverpool on 2 April will go on to win the league. Both sides have the capability to win all of their remaining games, with this clash being the only fixture which seemingly poses the biggest threat to slipping up.
With City and Liverpool also still in the Champions League, this may play a part in the Premier League title race. The draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals could be a vital factor in determining how difficult the run in is for these two teams.
Nonetheless, I think that Liverpool will have enough momentum to go to the Etihad at the beginning of April and beat Man City, given the Reds' fantastic record in front of goal this season, scoring 75 goals in their 29 matches so far.
Barney Corkhill
