Liverpool’s title lifeline is Man City’s woeful Goodison record

Having seen Chelsea inflict a damaging defeat on them at Anfield to hand advantage back to Manchester City in the title race, Liverpool must now rely on others if they are to realise their Premier League dream.

Ironically enough, Liverpool’s best hope of City dropping points comes in their next fixture across Stanley Park at rivals Everton.

Everyone associated with the red half of Merseyside, will, for one day only, be rooting for the blue side with every last sinew.

As it stands, Manuel Pellegrini’s 5/6 title favourites are in the driving seat, having forged a seven-better-off goal difference, meaning if both sides win their remaining games the Citizens are all-but certain to scoop the title.

With two home games against struggling Aston Villa and Norwich to come after their trip to Everton, the general consensus is that City must drop points at Goodison Park if Liverpool are to salvage their 6/5-rated bid.

In terms of possible grounds for Man City to have to visit, then Liverpool could not have asked for a much better opponent than their own inter-city rivals.

In fact, twice in the last four seasons the Toffees have actually completed a league double over the Sky Blues, while City have left Goodison empty-handed the last four times in the top flight.

Only twice in Premier League history have a Man City outfit made off down the M6 with the spoils, the last of which came during the 2008/09 season and before that it was in the very first campaign after the switch from the old First Division.

With top-four rivals Arsenal not playing until the next day, a win for Everton would also apply some much needed pressure back on the Gunners, but even a draw would be celebrated wildly across the city.

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