Liverpool have learned the exact date they could finally be crowned Premier League champions for the first time in their history. Eighteen times champions of England, the Reds’ wait for a league title has spanned 30 years since their last success in 1990 – having watched arch-rivals Manchester United win it 13 times since then.
But they are now within six points of a first triumph in the Premier League era, and they could end their lengthy wait for a championship on Sunday June 21.
That is when Liverpool are provisionally scheduled to face Everton in the Merseyside derby – currently set to be played at Goodison Park.
It is their first match back upon the league’s restart, with fixtures resuming four days earlier when Manchester City host Arsenal and Aston Villa face Sheffield United.
With City 25 points adrift of the Merseyside club, defeat to Arsenal would present Liverpool with the chance to win the league against Everton, if they get the full three points against the Toffees.
If City do not lose to Arsenal but Liverpool still beat Everton, then Jurgen Klopp’s men could secure the title without even being on the pitch, if Burnley beat City at the Etihad the following Monday.
But should City avoid any slip-ups, then Liverpool can end the title race against Crystal Palace on Wednesday June 24.
The full list of fixtures – which will be officially confirmed this Friday with discussions still ongoing subject to clearance on games and venues – encompas the first three weeks of the league’s return, with the schedule, which runs until August 2, to be released in three-week blocks.
Wednesday June 17 will see Villa’s clash with Sheffield United confirm the English top-flight’s return at 6pm, with City’s meeting with Arsenal following at 8.15pm.
Norwich vs Southampton will kick off the first full weekend of matches back, with Tottenham also facing Man United – both on Sky Sports – the same night, Friday June 19.
There are then four games on Saturday – including Arsenal’s trip to Brighton and BBC Sport’s first ever Premier League match, which will see Bournemouth face Crystal Palace.
There are then three on Sunday, with Chelsea in action before the Merseyside derby in the evening.
Reigning champions City will round off the weekend on Monday night by hosting Burnley.
Other tasty fixtures set to be confirmed included United’s clash with high-flying Sheffield United, City’s trip to Chelsea and Liverpool’s showdown with City.
The kick-off times have not yet been officially green-lighted but the league are not expecting major changes to the proposed schedule.
With the BBC showing four games, Norwich vs Everton will also be broadcast on BBC One on Wednesday June 24.
Amazon Prime have confirmed they will show four fixtures free to air, with their first game being Crystal Palace vs Burnley on Monday June 29.