Liverpool faces a pivotal test in their pursuit of the Premier League title as they clash with Manchester United, aiming to inch closer to matching their rival’s record of 20 English championships.

In a fiercely contested title race, Arsenal and Manchester City are eyeing any potential stumble from Liverpool, while the battles for a spot in the top four and survival from relegation intensify.

Here are three key talking points leading into this weekend’s matches:

Fresh from a bitter defeat in the FA Cup quarter-finals against Manchester United, Liverpool, led by Alex Mac-Allister, are determined to turn the tables in their favor as they return to Old Trafford. The memories of their agonizing 4-3 loss, sealed by Amad Diallo’s late strike, serve as motivation for Jurgen Klopp’s squad to draw level with United’s impressive title tally.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest faces Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa takes on Brentford in matches where victory is crucial for both sides. Villa, aspiring to make a return to the Champions League for the first time since 1983, embraces the challenge, with manager Unai Emery emphasizing his team’s readiness to compete in a packed fixture schedule.

In the survival battle, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White expresses confidence in his team’s ability to withstand pressure, following their recent victory against Fulham. Despite points deductions for financial rule breaches, Forest and Everton, facing Burnley, are determined to claw their way out of the relegation zone, while Luton seeks to narrow the gap with a win over Bournemouth.

As the stakes rise, this weekend’s fixtures promise thrilling encounters that could significantly impact the Premier League landscape.