The Premier League title race is shaping up nicely. As Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports after Spurs held Manchester City to a 3-3 draw on Sunday, for the neutral, Pep Guardiola's side not being quite so strong is the best possible news.
Liverpool and Arsenal still have a lot to prove — and it is possible yet that Manchester City will still run away with the league and go on a long winning run — but it feels like there could be a three-way title race for at least a lot longer this season than we have seen for a long time. For now, all three teams are looking like they can compete for the big prize.
But December will be a really important determinant in dictating how the period from January to May will look. Lose ground, and Liverpool may not be able to make it up again. Kick on and go on a winning run, and an exciting few months could lie ahead.
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Liverpool.com has taken a look at a few things that would make up the ideal December scenario for the Reds after Jürgen Klopp's side beat Fulham this weekend. There is a hectic schedule ahead, but that brings opportunities.
Good news on Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota
It was clear against Fulham that Liverpool missed Alisson Becker but the Brazilian is not expected to be back in contention again until the Reds take on Manchester United. Caoimhín Kelleher will continue to deputize.
Diogo Jota was a big miss as well and his absence is expected to be longer than Alisson's, though we don't yet know exactly what timeframe we are looking at for the Portugal forward, who has a great knack of nicking important goals. In an ideal world, both Alisson and Jota would return to action as quickly as possible.
Liverpool would also like to avoid a lengthy spell out for Joël Matip. Klopp could give an update on all three players during his pre-Sheffield United press conference later today.
Liverpool embarks on winning run
With matches coming up against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, collecting maximum points is vital after that win over Fulham. Looking a little more assured of victory rather than relying on wonder strikes would be ideal as well.
After that comes the final Europa League game before a massive week that includes Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield, with a home game against West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in between.
Arsenal drops points before massive Anfield clash
Before coming to play Liverpool in its final game before Christmas, Arsenal faces Luton Town (A), Aston Villa (A) and Brighton (H). Liverpool knows that the first of those matches will not be easy, before the other two games are more obviously tricky tests.
Arsenal is currently two points ahead of Liverpool. By the time the Reds play the Gunners at Anfield, there is a chance for that gap to at least be smaller. It absolutely must not grow.
Carabao Cup progress secured
With Liverpool having drawn Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup third round, the Carabao Cup should take on an increased level of importance. The Reds might win against the Gunners, of course, but that is the first tie it will play in that competition, whereas the first domestic cup final of the campaign is within reach.
The Carabao Cup is there for the winning and Liverpool should be spotting an opportunity. Even with the West Ham game being in the middle of two other massive ones, it should still be taken seriously.
January transfer lined up
Liverpool is looking a little light at the back. Matip is set for a spell on the sidelines and Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez can get injuries at times. Beyond that, there is a need to look towards the future at center-back.
With Matip out of contract at the end of the season, Liverpool would ideally line up a replacement in the January transfer window so that player could adapt for the remainder of 2023/24, as Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo did six months prior to replacing Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino respectively.
If that is going to happen, though, it should be done as early as possible; you might as well line something up in advance. There is no need to wait until January arrives, with Van Dijk and Gakpo both being extra Christmas presents for Liverpool fans in recent years. A repeat would be the perfect boost.