Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp are about to get the chance to seize crucial Arsenal advantage

After Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 2-1 last weekend, and Arsenal lost 1-0 to Aston Villa later on Saturday, the Reds finished a round of fixtures top of the Premier League table for the first time since the autumn of 2021. All of a sudden, they find themselves just two wins away from the honor, or as some supporters would say the curse, of being top at Christmas.

In 15 of the 31 Premier League campaigns to date, so just under half, the side in first place at that stage has gone on to win the league. It has, coincidentally or otherwise, been more common recently, occurring in 10 of the last 15 seasons.

Up until last year, Liverpool was responsible for the last four instances of Christmas table-toppers failing to win the league — 2008/09, 2013/14, 2018/19 and 2020/21. It was the only team between 2003 and 2021 to suffer the ignominy, but then Arsenal failed to hold on last year. In the Gunners' defense, Christmas came much earlier in the Premier League season because of the 2022 World Cup break.

If Liverpool makes home advantage count that day, then Mikel Arteta's side will have the chance to gain revenge just 15 days later when it hosts Liverpool in the FA Cup third round. And then, within a month of that game, the two teams will meet for the reverse fixture in the Premier League. In a six-week span, then, they will lock horns three times, an unusual situation but one that offers each an opportunity.